AfterShokz Trekz Air Review
Disclaimer: I received a pair of Canyon Red AfterShokz Trekz Air headphones to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!
I'm so excited to review the new Canyon Red AfterShokz Trekz Air headphones. I've been running in AfterShokz for three years and have accumulated four pairs in that time (you can never have too many!). This is actually my first time trying out the Trekz Air but you can also see my full review of the Trekz Titanium model here! So why am I such a fan of AfterShokz headphones? How could I not be?!
First, they're Bluetooth which is a must for me. I can't stand wired headphones that are always getting tangled or snagged on something while I'm running. Second, they fit over your ear so they're more secure than earbuds. I've never been able to find a pair of earbuds that stay in while I run. And lastly, they're bone conduction headphones that allow you to listen to music or podcasts while still being aware of what's going on around you.
What's in the Box?
So let's take a look at what's included in the box. With your AfterShokz Trekz Air Headphones, you also get a small charging cable, a pair of earplugs, and a carrying case. Apart from needing a quick charge once they arrive, you can pretty much take these things out of the box, throw them on, and be ready for your run.
Setup
To connect the headphones to your smartphone or Bluetooth-enabled device, simply hold down on the power button until you hear a prompt that your headphones have entered "pairing mode." After that just find the headphones in your phone's list of Bluetooth devices and you're good to go.
Battery Life
I haven't timed exactly how long it takes to get a full charge but you could probably get enough juice out of a 20-minute charge to last you on your run. The headphones include a small LED indicator that will let you know when they're fully charged. Once they're charged you're set for several days depending on how often you run.
Right now with training, I'm running five days a week with one day of cross-training and I can make it through most of the week on one charge. I also am frequently wearing the headphones around the house listening to podcasts. We also don't get a great cell signal in my apartment so I'll often take phone calls on my AfterShokz so I can leave my phone by the window but still be free to walk around the apartment.
Using the AfterShokz
I can't stress enough how easy AfterShokz headphones are to use. There are only three buttons that you have to worry about. You've got the obvious volume up/down buttons (the volume up also doubles as the power button).
The main button on the side, also known as the multi-purpose button, controls most of the functions while you're using the headphones. Tap the button once to pause/play (or to answer/end a call), double-tap to skip to the next track, or hold down the button to access your phone's voice assistant.
Fit and Comfort
The major difference between the AfterShokz Trekz Air headphones and the Trekz Titaniums is the size. With the Trekz Air, Aftershokz really cut out any excess weight to make for a much lighter feel when wearing the headphones. The Trekz Titaniums are by no means bulky, but the lightness of the Trekz Airs make for an even more comfortable fit. You hardly even notice you're wearing them once you've got them on.
#BeOpen (Bone Conduction Technology)
If you've never worn AfterShokz headphones before, it's important to note that they actually work through Bone Conduction so they don't go into your ear. Instead, they sit just outside of your ear and play mini-vibrations through your cheekbone and into your inner ear.
This technology allows you to listen to your favorite music, podcasts, or audiobooks, all while maintaining awareness of what's going on around you. This has been a huge benefit for me since I do most of my training through neighborhoods and along busy streets. I'm so much more comfortable having headphones on knowing that I can still hear my surroundings, especially cars sneaking up behind me.
I was certainly hesitant to buy my first pair because I was nervous about the quality of the audio since I'd never experienced bone conduction before. Three years later I can promise the AfterShokz offer crystal clear audio and the Trekz Air headphones offer an even crisper sound than the Trekz Titanium.
Where to Buy
I can't recommend the AfterShokz Trekz Air headphones enough, especially for anyone looking for headphones to wear during outdoor activity. If like me, you're slightly nervous about the bone conduction technology, the good news is that AfterShokz offers a satisfaction guarantee. If for whatever reason you have any issues in the first 45 days of use, you can return them for a full refund.
AfterShokz are available in several retail stores but I always recommend going through the AfterShokz website because they offer free shipping anyway. They also have customer service reps ready to answer any questions you may have via online chat.
If you'd prefer, you can also always find AfterShokz through their Amazon store as well.