Wearing headphones while biking is always a controversial topic. It's even illegal in some U.S. states. And I fully agree that being aware of your surroundings and fellow road users is a crucial part of staying safe while biking outdoors. But I'll also admit that I do enjoy listening to audiobooks while riding, especially on long endurance days. Bone-conducting headphones like Shokz or H2O Tri are great options for listening to your favourite audio while keeping your ears free and unblocked. However, the sound quality often lacks depth and richness compared to traditional earbuds, and they can be tricky to wear comfortably alongside sunglasses and a helmet.
The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds offer the best of both worlds: better sound quality than any bone-conduction headphones I’ve tried, while still leaving your ears open to the outside world. Instead of going in your ears, they clip gently around them, creating a personal audio experience that’s surprisingly immersive yet safe for outdoor use.
