Sound Advice: Best Headphones for Thru-Hiking
Check out this guide for reviews, tips, and advice on choosing the perfect pair of headphones for your next thru-hike!
Looking for the best headphones for thru-hiking? Look no further!
We know that finding the right headphones for your hike is essential. That's why we've compiled a list of the best options on the market and why we think they're perfect for hikers.
Not only do these headphones provide great sound quality, but they also allow you to hear what's going on around you, keeping you safe on your hike. Plus, they're comfortable and durable, making them perfect for long hikes.
How We Picked
You're looking for the perfect headphones to take on your thru-hike, but there are so many options out there. How do you know which ones are the best?
It's hard to make a decision when you're not sure what you're looking for. Do you want headphones that will cancel out all noise or just reduce some of it? What about wireless or wired?
We've done the research for you and found the best headphones for thru-hiking. Whether you're looking for noise-canceling, wireless, or wired headphones, we have a list of options that will fit your needs.
Disclosure: We only recommend things we’ve personally used or come highly recommended by trusted peers. Using one of our referral links might give us a small commission which helps support this website at no additional cost to you. If you’d like to learn more check out our disclaimer page.
Why We Chose
The SHOKZ OpenRun Pro is here to revolutionize the way you listen to your music in any environment.
With these headphones, you get the perfect balance of listening to your favorite tunes and still being able to carry on conversations or listen to your surroundings.
The quality of these Bluetooth headphones is just as good if not better than any other earbud available on the market while also allowing you to pick up everything around you.
And if that weren’t enough, this device has an impressive battery life of 10+ hours so you never have to worry about running out of juice halfway through your day!
The Rundown
- With a bud-free design, you can ditch ear discomfort and stay focused on your goals while they grip securely in place.
- OpenRun Pro unleashes your favorite audio while keeping you connected to the world around you. Its innovative design gives unparalleled safety and connection compared with traditional earbuds or over-ear headphones.
- Ten hours of uninterrupted music and podcasts. Plus, with a quick 5-minute charge, when the battery starts getting low you can keep listening for up to an additional 1.5 extra hours.
✔ IP55 water & dust resistance
✔ Earbuds-free design
✔ Comfortable for long periods of time
✖️ Lack of bass
Why We Chose
Ready to work hard, play harder and keep the tunes going? Meet Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earphones – they are the ultimate companion for a serious workout.
No more worrying about your sweat stifling your music when you’re smashing out those last reps at the gym or powering through a long run on the track—with a water-resistant design, these earphones can take it all.
With incredibly fast charging, outstanding sound quality, and amazing battery life – up to 9 hours of listening time with a single charge – you won’t have to slow down anytime soon. And if that wasn't enough, they come in an ultra-durable construction that will stand up to whatever your active lifestyle throws at them.
The Rundown
Enjoy your audio experience on a whole new level with intuitive volume and track controls, integrated microphones to enable hands-free conversations, and seamless auto-play/pause functionality.
- Fast Fuel supercharges your device, so you can stay powered on the go with a quick 5-minute charge giving 1.5 hours of playback when battery power is in need!
- Feature adjustable ear hooks and a selection of ear tip sizes so you can customize your listening experience for maximum comfort.
✔ 5 min quick charge
✔ Good sound quality
✔ Audio controls on both earphones
✔ Sweat & water resistant
✖️ Battery status isn't consistently reliable
Why We Chose
Sometimes it's easy to get lost with your favorite tunes blasting in your ears. With the Skullcandy Push Active True Wireless Earbuds, that danger is now a thing of the past.
These earbuds are designed with an innovative noise-canceling feature that allows you to control how much sound you hear from the outside world, so you can stay aware and safe no matter where you go.
Whether you're commuting through a busy city or taking a hike through unfamiliar terrain, the Skullcandy Push Active True Wireless ensures that you stay connected and secure at all times.
Plus, these earbuds come packed with all of your favorite features—including long battery life and crystal clear audio quality—allowing for a truly optimal listening experience. So, if safety and sound quality are what you're after in a pair of earbuds, then seek no further than the Skullcandy Push Active True Wireless Earbuds!
The Rundown
Recharge your music for days. Powered by Skullcandy's supreme audio drivers, Push Active provides an unrivaled experience of clarity and deep bass to glide you through your day.
- With 44 hours total battery life between the buds themselves and their storage case, no jam session is cut short due to lack of charge.
- Get full control with voice commands for playing, pausing, altering volume levels, taking calls, or skipping tracks - all without needing to remove a single glove.
✔ IP55 Sweat & water resistant
✔ 10 min quick charge
✔ Awareness mode
✖️ Sound quality could be better
JBL Endurance Race Waterproof True Wireless Active Sport Earbuds
Best waterproof headphones
Why We Chose
These sporty earbuds come with surprisingly great quality, making them different from the standard JBL headphones that tended to break quickly.
With improved sound quality, plus noise controls and talk-through, these smart earbuds have got all angles covered for those who need to focus on their fitness goals.
Comfort is a key feature here as well; sweatproof and multiple sizes of ear tips are included to ensure secure fitting. On top of it, their waterproof construction adds an extra layer of durability.
The only minor downside is that the case feels slightly flimsy and sometimes one earbud doesn’t charge as well. Despite these minor hiccups though, JBL Endurance Race True Wireless Active Sport Earbuds remain a solid choice for those seeking top-notch technological performance for their active lifestyle.
The Rundown
Transform your music experience with JBL PURE BASS SOUND wireless earbuds. Boasting a rich bass and powerful 6mm dynamic driver, you'll feel the beat in every track as if it were live.
- Keep the music going for up to 30 hours with a combination of 10-hour earbud battery life and 20 from the charging case. If you need an energy boost, just give your device 10 minutes of Speed Charge for another full hour of jam time!
- Built to last with IP67-certified dust and waterproof design and enhanced Twistlock technology they stay comfortable while never slipping off - even when submerged up to 1m.
- Experience a new level of awareness with SMART AMBIENT. Ambient Aware keeps you alert to your environment, letting the music take you away without missing out on what's going on around you!
✔ Good bass
✔ 10-minute speed charge
✔ IP67 water & dust proof
✔ Awareness mode
✖️ Case is flimsy
Why We Chose
These little earbuds are ergonomically shaped with small silicone rings that keep them securely in your ears while you enjoy your favorite tunes, no matter what size and shape your ear happens to be. And guess what? They stay in even during vigorous activities like hiking and jogging!
And if comfort is what worries you, the Raycon Fitness Bluetooth True Wireless Earbuds won’t get on your nerves – literally. These buds let you enjoy hours of crystal-clear sound without any irritation or discomfort for your ears. No more aching after a long day.
Raycon Fitness Bluetooth True Wireless headphones have thought of absolutely everything: from providing extra adaptability to making them the ideal travel companion.
A carabiner/cord makes it easy for you to clip it on the side of your bag and never forget about resurging it; their integrated charger can provide several charges before finally needing a recharge itself.
As for sound quality, expect solid bass and good-to-very-good overall audio with just a touch of muddiness, all delivered by these tiny little earbuds.
The Rundown
These comfortable fitness earbuds are the perfect accompaniment for all of life’s toughest journeys – conquer a mountain one step at a time while listening in style - small, cordless.
- With IPX 7 Water Resistance and Waterproof Technology, your earbuds are durable
- 9-hour playtime from one full charge and an additional 45-hour battery life with a handy charging capsule for ultimate convenience.
- Awareness mode allows for simultaneous connection and environmental listening.
✔ IPX7 water resistance
✔ Awareness mode
✔ 5 additional gel tips
✔ Carabiner cord included
✖️ Confusing tap controls
Sennheiser CX 300S In-Ear Headphone with One-Button Smart Remote
Best wired option
Why We Chose
Step up your soundstage with Sennheiser CX 300S In-Ear Headphones. No need to sacrifice great audio quality just to keep the noise down.
The in-ear design of these headphones ensures a snug and comfortable fit, while simultaneously blocking out any ambient noise around you.
This smart pair of Sennheiser headphones gives you crystal clear highs and deep bass giving you the best performance from your music library.
Lightweight design means long listening sessions won’t be a pain - but don’t let the lack of bulk fool you, these headphones deliver superior sound thanks to the acoustic engineering of one of the leading audio equipment companies in the world.
And for added convenience, the one-button remote allows for switching between tracks and take calls easily so you can keep focused on what matters most: listening to great music!
The Rundown
- Precision German engineering provides a sound experience like no other - detailed and dynamic, with remarkable balance and deep bass.
- In-line smart remote provides quick access to control your music and take calls with just one simple button.
- With four sizes included—XS, S, M and L--of silicon ear adapters you can tailor your fit for a more comfortable experience while simultaneously improving performance.
✔ Don't need to worry about charging
✔ Decent sound quality
✔ Easy access remote
✖️ Pricey for wired earbuds
Tips for Choosing the Best Headphones for Thru-Hiking
Look for headphones that fit securely: When you're thru-hiking, it's important to have headphones that stay secure in the most strenuous of conditions. Look for models that come with comfortable and adjustable ear hooks or headbands for wearing extended periods of time.
Choose waterproof models: If you plan on tackling wet or humid climates, it's essential to invest in a waterproof set of headphones so they can withstand all kinds of weather.
Awareness mode: To stay safe while you're out on the trail, we highly recommend only using one earbud at a time so that you can be aware of your surroundings.
- Most headphones these days come with some sort of noise canceling, but it's probably best to turn that feature off when hiking.
- Additionally, make sure to turn on an "ambient sound mode" or similar alert setting in case any predators approach. That way, you'll always have plenty of warning if something is amiss near your location!
Consider battery life: It's important to choose a model with long-lasting battery life since you won't always have access to power sources while on the trail. Additionally, make sure your chosen headphones are compatible with portable chargers if necessary.
Bluetooth Connectivity: Wireless headphones eliminate the difficulty and potential dangers associated with tangled cables. But you also need a way to charge them.
Pick up an extra pair: Investing in a spare set of headphones is always a good idea given their prone nature to breakage and damage during thru-hikes. Or at least take an old pair of wired ones with you as a backup.
Before You Go...
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