TESTED: Shokz Openfit headphones for Mountain Biking

In early 2021 I was sent a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones (previously called Aftershokz Aeropex). They’re a one-piece set of Bluetooth open-ear headphones that don’t occlude your ear canals, instead relying on bone conduction so you can hear the music you want to listen to, or podcast or phone call. I really liked them and used them riding, in my shed, gardening, to take calls when driving and for Zoom calls and the like. I’d still be using them except they died in late 2022 – likely from a whole lot of sweaty Queensland use. I ended up buying myself a new pair in August as nothing else I used proved to have the reliable fit while allowing me to be fairly aware of my surroundings. Soon after, I was sent a pair of Shokz OpenFit headphones. While they are still Bluetooth and with an open-ear design (nothing in the ear canal) they are otherwise totally different.

A closer look at the Openfit headphones

The Shokz OpenFit headphones use a design that has a comfortable silicone hook that sits over your ear, while the little speaker (or driver) sits near the targus (look it up, I did) and makes a little pocket of sound in your ear. They weigh a little over 8g each so are easy to forget. Your ear canal is open, but you get great sound quality. The fit is similar to Earshokz, but there is no magnetic assistance. They’re very comfortable, but I didn’t feel like they would be as secure, and I was worried about all the other stuff in that area – like sunglasses and helmet straps. The Shokz OpenFit come with a charging case that also carries charge, enough for up to 28 hours of use. The case is palm size, so it’s easy to carry for traveling or even in a small trail bag for a quick charge on a big day on the trails.

Pairing is easy, and you can download an app to allow for customizing the buttons. These are tap-based, for long or short taps on both the left or right side. You can also add bass boost, or treble boost, or even customize the whole lot and save your EQ setup. There’s a microphone for calls, just like the OpenRun and just about all Bluetooth wireless headphones.

In use

Not everyone will choose to use headphones when riding. I’m a fairly frequent user of them through the week, where my riding is usually 1-3 hours solo before work. I’d actually had many years without using headphones when riding, until I tested both the Earshots and the Shokz OpenRun. The latter became my go-to for easy-to-use buttons to pause or skip tracks, take a call or adjust the volume. And as long as I wasn’t running lots of volume, it was easy to be aware of what was happening around me. The loop around the back of my neck was a little annoying, but it sure helped prevent losing half of a set.

While I was happy with the sounds with the OpenRun, the quality of the sound from the OpenFit needs to be used to be believed. The driver is 18x11mm, which is pretty big for the size of the unit and larger than just about any earbuds. I’m no sound engineer but that would no doubt have an impact on the sound quality. I’ve found with some small headphones you end up having the volume higher to hear better, but it sure doesn’t make the quality better. It’s just loud. I had no need to do this with the OpenFit, and I’m sure that’s a lot better for my hearing long-term.

While I find the OpenRun buttons easy to use, with only the occasional ‘redial last number’ audio cue making me quickly fumble to cancel a call on my phone, the OpenFit are totally different. I rarely had them respond to the first tap. I did use the app to use a press and hold on either side for volume control up or down, with a double-tap skipping on the right, or for play/pause on the left. There are other settings, but you are limited to four options. In general, the buttons were never as certain as I’d hope for a set of headphones that cost $289.

While the OpenFit are very comfortable, I haven’t felt comfortable with their security, I’m always acutely aware that one may pop off and be lost. That hasn’t happened when taking a helmet off or fitting or removing sunglasses, but it remains something I’m aware of each time I use them on my bike. The thing is, just like with my OpenRun pair riding isn’t their sole use. I use them for phone calls when driving, and by all accounts the audio is excellent for callers – less so if I take a call when riding and start going downhill, where the wind noise makes the microphone useless and I cannot fudge the fact that I am not working tirelessly at my laptop.

My music habits tend to revolve around set tracks or playlists on high rotation until I’m done with them. During this test period the Boiler Room set from Chase and Status was my go-to. I added Bass Boost via the app and was thoroughly impressed by the sound. I wouldn’t know enough to get the use out of the equaliser adjustments, but if you did you could really get the sound quality you wanted – for different genres or uses, as you can save the profiles.

I was never let down by the battery life, and just popped the units back in their charge case when I was finished. I plugged the case in to charge with the USB-C cord about once a week. The app will let you know what percentage each headphone has in the battery and in the case – so there doesn’t need to be any guesswork.

Verdict on Shokz Openfit headphones

I found the Shokz OpenFit very comfortable to wear, and easy to use in a set-and-forget fashion. Fit them up, set your track list and go. I also found them great for calls, when using my phone to receive calls, end them and adjust volume. In general, I avoided using the units for any adjustments as I found it more fiddly than the OpenRun that I purchased in August. That said, the sound quality and comfort is better – so if I didn’t need to change much, these were the pick. And while I’ve never felt the OpenFit are as secure as the OpenRun, they also haven’t gone anywhere and are more comfortable than the OpenRun.

Through the week when riding I have found I reach for the OpenRun more often than the Shokz OpenFit. But the OpenFit are my choice for use for work and around the house. While I have both at hand if I had to pick one I would opt towards the OpenFit based on sound quality, portability with the charging case, battery life and for comfort. They have ended up more stable than I expected and they have better sound quality than the OpenRun. I do wonder if people with smaller ears or longer hair would feel the same about the fit, given the reliance on how they fit.

Looking to give them a try? Head to Shokz website.