Sometimes when you’re enjoying trails, you don’t always want to do it in silence. We get it; the right tunes or podcast can keep you motivated, lift your spirits, and encourage you to keep going when things get tough (or monotonous). But there’s more to consider when choosing wireless earbuds for trail running, hiking, or solo backpacking than which ones sound the best; Water resistance, durability, and whether or not they’re actually going to stay in your ears as you’re bouncing down the trail are all equally important.
Earbuds with passthrough modes are also incredibly important for your safety and the safety of those around you (so you can hear approaching mountain bikes, trail runners, or the occasional moose) and they’re important from a Leave No Trace perspective: using them instead of a Bluetooth speaker means you’re being considerate of others while enjoying the great outdoors.
So we tested 5 wireless earbuds to let you know which stand out for outdoor recreation of all kinds. Here are are top picks.
Apple AirPods Pro 2 – Best for Everyday + Exercise
The AirPods Pro 2 perform admirably at home and on the trail thanks to their secure fit and Adaptive Transparency mode that keeps you aware of your surroundings while still blocking just enough wind noise. Whether you’re using transparency or not, these have a very pleasant, balanced sound that’s great for all genres and podcasts.
They stayed put during jogging or light hiking–as long as the silicone tips fit your ears. And thats a big if. For me, they fit great and stay put through most activity, but they tend to fall out of Alisha’s smaller ears, so she tends to prefer other options on this list.
Regardless, the sweat and water-resistant IPX4 rating means they can handle drizzle and perspiration without issue. With active noise cancellation, adaptive EQ, and spatial audio, they’re versatile enough to go from trail to travel seamlessly.
That said, Apple recently released an impressive upgrade, the AirPods Pro 3, which has a slightly tweaked fit with a foam/silicone eartip hybrid that means it should fit just about everyone and stay put, too. Plus, they now have a built-in heart rate monitor and better noise cancellation (presumably). We haven’t had a chance to test the new model yet, but I think once I do they’ll be my new favorites for everyday use.
Apple AirPods Pro 2 Specs
- Water resistance: IPX4 (sweat and splash resistant)
- Battery life: ~6 hours (ANC on), ~30 hours with case
- Modes: ANC, Adaptive Transparency, Spatial Audio
- Fit: multiple ear tip sizes; stable for workouts
- Currently $169
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds – Open Ear Magic
Designed for comfort and awareness, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds rest just outside the ear canal instead of in it, letting you hear your environment naturally—making them perfect for trails, city runs, or hikes where safety matters. The open-ear fit means there’s no need for a passthrough mode; ambient sound is always audible, which, depending on what you’re doing, can be a pro or con. They’re exceptionally comfortable for long trail run sessions and never bothered our ears, and like the AirPods Pro, they’re IPX4 water resistant, so unless you’re running through a downpour, they should survive a little weather just fine.
Bose earbuds and headphones tend to be bass forward, but otherwise balanced, and these are no exception. For an open ear design, these have the best sound of any of the earbuds on this list in my opinion.
The open-ear design is pretty unique and surprisingly quiet to everyone around you thanks to some kind of Bose voodoo. But that design also makes them a bit more outdoor niche since you don’t have any kind of noise cancellation, meaning they’re less suitable for air travel or blocking out surrounding noise at work.
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Specs
- Water resistance: IPX4 (sweat and splash resistant)
- Battery life: ~7 hours
- Modes: open-ear (ambient by design)
- Fit: open, non-sealing comfort “cuff” design
- Currently $229
Soundcore V40i – Best Budget Option
Another open-ear design, the Soundcore V40i, offers a more affordable option for hikers and trail runners who want to stay aware of their surroundings without sacrificing sound quality. Their lightweight design and flexible ear hooks provide a secure fit that doesn’t seal off your ears, making them ideal for mixed terrain and group outings. It’s kind of like setting a pair of bookshelf speakers right in front of your ear holes. There’s no dedicated transparency mode—since they’re open by design—but they do keep you comfortably connected to your environment.
Sound quality for the price is great–they produce a pretty powerful sound that’s surprising for an open-ear format. Like other Soundcore models, they employ a hyper‑panned stereo effect—novel at first, potentially annoying, but ultimately forgettable once you get used to it.
These are a great alternative for anyone who has sensitive ears, wants the added security of an ear-hook design, or just doesn’t want to drop Bose money on a pair of earbuds. They’re also IP55 rated, giving them better dust resistance than the Bose or Apple earbuds.
Soundcore V40i Specs
- Water resistance: not specified
- Battery life: not specified
- Modes: open-ear (ambient by nature)
- Fit: open-ear hook design
- Currently $55.99
SUUNTO Sonic – No Fuss Awareness
Unlike traditional headphones or earbuds that sit in your ears and plug up your auditory pathways to help block out extraneous sounds, bone conduction headphones rest outside your ears, transmitting sound through your cheekbones instead of actual auditory sound. That means your ears stay fully open to ambient noise—an absolute game-changer if you’re hiking, trail running, mountain biking, or doing anything where you need to remain aware of your surroundings. And for those who have sensitive ears (as in touch-sensitive), these take that totally out of the equation–they’re comfortable to wear for hours.
As for sound quality, let’s be clear: you’re not getting audiophile-level bass here. But you are getting crisp, clean sound that’s perfectly suitable for podcasts, audiobooks, and music. The Suunto Sonic delivers solid audio performance through your bones (we’re still not sure how that science works, but it does). Best of all, you can still carry on a conversation while wearing them. In fact, while testing them on a mountain bike ride, Alisha and I chatted easily—even while music was playing.
They’re Alisha’s favorite headphones for trail running and hiking. Wanna learn more? Check out our full review of the SUUNTO Sonic here.
SUUNTO Sonic Specs
- Water resistance: IP55 (sweat and rain resistant)
- Battery life: 10 hours
- Fast charge: 10 min → ~3 hours playback
- Fit: bone-conduction frame; stable and secure
- Modes: ambient sound always audible (open-ear design)
- Currently $56
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 – Most Versatile
If you’re looking for a do-it-all set of wireless earbuds, this is it. Not only do you have the security of an ear-hook design, but you get a heart rate monitor, silicone ear-tip, and ANC (active noise cancellation), all with stellar sound.
The Powerbeats Pro 2 are built for movement. The over-ear hooks practically guarantee they won’t budge during a trail run or steep climb, and their reinforced nickel-titanium arms make them durable enough for heavy use. With IPX4 water resistance, ANC, transparency mode, and adaptive EQ, these are the most capable earbuds on our list. The addition of a heart-rate monitor gives them a fitness edge, though the bulky charging case might not be ideal for ultralighters or those short of space. And when I say bulky, I mean it’s probably twice the size of an AirPods Pro case.
As for sound, Beats has a reputation for big bass but (under Apple’s umbrella) these have been tuned for a more neutral sound (think AirPods Pro 2), and seem fairly well-balanced across bass, mids, and treble. It’s not audiophile tier sound, but then again, that’s not really the audience here. One thing’s for sure: the Powerbeats Pro can get loud if you want, and because they have an earhook holding them in place, you can move vigorously without the seal loosening and losing bass (a common problem with other earbuds).
If I had to pick one set of earbuds for all my outdoor adventures, this would be it.
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 Specs
- Water resistance: IPX4 (sweat and splash resistant)
- Battery life: 10 hours
- Modes: ANC, Transparency, Adaptive EQ
- Fitness: built-in heart rate monitor (optional)
- Fit: over-ear hooks with multiple tip sizes
- Currently $249
Bottom Line: Ear Buds for Hiking
We hope we’ve helped you narrow down which earbuds are right for you and your outdoor adventures. Which one you’ll choose depends on fit preference, if you want the option of ANC and passthrough or you prefer to have an open-ear design for no fuss awareness of the world around you, and what sort of sound and portability you’re after. Either way, get out there and wander on (and enjoy some good tunes as you go)!
