These $15 headphones helped me run my first marathon
The running accessory I never knew I needed
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I started running seriously about three years ago to train for my first half-marathon—before that, I was a casual, short-distance runner, and ran mostly on the treadmill while watching The Food Network. My biggest complaint about long-distance runs was the boredom—by the end of mile one I was looking for anything to distract me, so I needed energizing music or a podcast. The issue was, my headphones often were more distracting than whatever I was trying to listen to.
A running pro friend suggested I look for headphones with over-the-ear hooks that would keep the earbuds in place and would overall be more comfortable for my workout. When I found Smart Target bluetooth headphones ($15), my entire running game changed—but that's not to say my search for affordable, comfortable, effective running headphones was an easy one.
My quest for the perfect running headphones
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For some reason, traditional earbuds have never worked for me. The free headphones that come with every Apple device slip out of my ears constantly, and I had a similar problem with any other headphones I bought. As I ran, I had to consistently re-adjust them, and eventually, the distraction and discomfort would turn my training run into a long walk home.
I needed headphones with an over-the-ear hook, yes, but they also needed a button to pause music, and tlook like they belonged in the 21st century. However, most of the affordable options looked old-fashioned or uncomfortable, but the ones that seemed sleek and useful were way out of my budget. Knowing my struggle with headphones, I didn’t want to spend too much money on a new pair.
The Smart Target headphones caught my eye because of their high Amazon reviews from nearly 1,500 customers, great price ($15!) and simple design. I’d never used a bluetooth headset before, and was nervous that such a cheap pair wouldn’t have good connectivity, and therefore would mess with my music or podcasts. Still, I ordered them to give them a try.
The headphones arrived with three different sized earbud pieces, and like Goldie Locks, I found the size that fit just right (surprisingly, it was the medium-sized buds that fit me best—I had previously thought that I needed the smallest size possible). The rubber ear pieces were soft and comfortable, and with the handy ear hook, they stayed in place no matter how much I moved or sweat. I jumped around my apartment to test them, and then I went for a run.
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I spent the first 10 minutes adjusting them, mostly out of habit: I expected that they needed constant nudging to stay in my ear. But I realized the hook was keeping them in place. At first, I wanted them to fit snugger inside my ear, but I soon realized it didn’t matter since they were stabilized—what mattered was that they didn’t fall out.
I was also pleasantly surprised by how well the bluetooth worked, and how nice it was to go cordless. I realized that my old long headphone cord often got caught on my clothing, and now I could stow my phone out of sight.
The no-frills button to adjust volume, pause, and play tracks works well, and as promised, the charge lasts long, and they charge quickly. I can usually fit in four hour-long runs before recharging, and if the battery is low, I can plug them in for 20 minutes while I get ready and there’s enough juice to get through my workout.
How to find the best headphones for you
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Of course, if you’re looking for bluetooth headphones that has lots of bells and whistles—including a superior microphone, speaker, or more playback controls—check out the best wireless headphones because these won’t be the choice for you. Because I like to keep my runs simple, I like my headphones to be the same.
Though these headphones do have a microphone, it doesn't work very well—friends who call always have trouble hearing me. These are not the headphones I use on planes or at work—I prefer noise-canceling headphones for those activities—but these are perfectly suited to commuting and working out.
The only issue I face now: I no longer have a good excuse for skipping my runs.