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If you’ve never tried bone conduction headphones before, the Suunto Sonic might just change the way you think about listening to music, especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors. These lightweight, open-ear headphones are designed not just for sound quality, but for safety—a feature that makes them stand out from traditional earbuds, especially for hikers, bikers and trail runners.
What Makes Bone Conduction Headphones Special?
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 via 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.
So no, these aren’t necessarily going to be the best headphones for airplanes, the gym or the office. They’re not ideal for tuning out your kids while doing the dishes. But on the trail, they’re phenomenal. You can jam to your favorite playlist or podcast and still hear an approaching cyclist or the rustle of wildlife. Because when you’re out on a multi-use trail, being aware of your surroundings can mean avoiding a surprise encounter with a mountain biker—or a moose.
So they’re good on paper, but how do they function in the field?
Comfort and Fit
One of the first things we wondered about the Suunto Sonic was comfort. After all, they sit right on the bones in front of your ears. But surprisingly, they’re incredibly comfortable—even during long, sweaty runs. They don’t bounce, slip, or irritate sensitive ears (which traditional earbuds often do for us). Whether you’re pounding pavement or shredding dirt trails, these headphones stay put and we never felt like we had to adjust them.
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 with Josh, we chatted easily—even while I had music playing.
Everyday Functionality
These headphones aren’t just for exercise, though. They’re simple to use, with a minimal button layout that’s easy to navigate even mid-run. You can adjust volume, skip tracks, and take phone calls. Call quality was surprisingly clear, and the built-in mic did a good job even in breezy conditions.
Battery life clocks in at 10 hours, with a full recharge taking only 60 minutes. Forgot to charge before your workout? A quick 10-minute charge gives you about 3 hours of listening time. That’s a lifesaver for forgetful folks (that’s us).
Sweat- and Weather-Ready
With an IP55 rating, the Suunto Sonic can handle sweat and light rain. Just don’t go swimming with them. For most runners and bikers, that’s more than enough protection for daily use—even in variable weather.
Customization & Extras
With the Suunto app, you can tweak the sound profile to your liking using simple sliders. Whether you prefer more treble or a bit of extra punch in your mids, it’s easy to adjust and personalize.
And if you’re curious about looks, the headphones do come in a few colors—but don’t expect a rainbow of options. Still, the available colors look sharp and sporty.
The Downsides
They’re not perfect for every activity or every occasion, though. When we ran or cycled near heavy traffic, external noise drowned out the audio a bit. That’s the trade-off for being able to hear your surroundings. Also, we really wish Suunto had gone with a standard USB-C charger. Instead, they use a proprietary magnetic cable, which adds to the growing jungle of device-specific cords many of us travel with. It means more e-waste and more cable clutter and we don’t love it.
Final Verdict
The Suunto Sonic bone conduction headphones have officially replaced every other pair of earbuds for trail running, biking, and outdoor adventures for us. They’re light, comfortable, sound great for what they are, and most importantly, they keep your ears open to the world around you. That’s not just convenient—it’s safe.
Sure, the proprietary charger is annoying, and they won’t block out traffic noise. But for outdoor recreation, they’re hard to beat.
Well done, Suunto. Well done.
Watch the video review of the Suunto Sonic Headphones on YouTube.
