I was given the opportunity to try out a pair of Jaybird Sport RUN headphones in exchange for my honest review. I was also provided a pair to give away. All opinions are my own.
Jaybird RUN is billed as the only true wireless headphones. Just look at them. Two tiny little buds designed to fit snugly in each ear, with no connecting wire or anything else to get in the way of their performance or comfort. But, and this was my main concern, would they stay in? And beyond that, could something that tiny actually produce quality sound?
Jaybird RUN Headphones
Jaybird RUN headphones were definitely built with runners in mind. They are light and comfortable, almost weightless when you wear them. They are sweat and water resistant, which is pretty important for runners (or any other type of athlete or fitness buff). The battery is designed to last for four hours, with an extra eight hours available by using the recharging case. Just five minutes in the case gives you an extra hour of play time.
The Jaybird RUN App
Runners who enjoy listening to great sounds will love the Jaybird Run app (available for iPhone or Android), which gives you full control of your music. You can pump up the bass easily (or tone it down!). There are running playlists to chose from (or you can create your own running-themed playlist on Spotify and share). There is even a “Find my Buds” feature that will help you find your earbuds in case they get misplaced!
The Safety Factor
One of the things that the Jaybird Run offers is what I think of as the Safety Factor. If you’re running in a situation where you need to be aware of your surroundings, you can simply wear the right earbud only! That leaves you able to hear ambient noises and increases your safety factor.
Phone Call Capability
Yes, you can take calls on the Jaybird Run (and you can also ignore them if you want with a double click of the control button!). The left earbud allows you to connect with Siri or Google Assistant to give voice commands, which is a pretty cool little trick that really does allow you to make calls hands free.
The Jaybird RUN Fit
As I mentioned above, I was concerned that earbuds would not stay in my ears. In fact, I had never found a pair of earbuds that would stay in. Fortunately, Jaybird addresses this by adding fins that help secure the earbuds in your ear. Each pair comes with an assortment of tips and fins that makes it easy to get the perfect fit.
My Experience with Jaybird RUN
I’ve been running with the Jaybird RUN for a couple weeks now. Here’s a rundown of my experience.
The Sound
I usually listen to audiobooks when I run, but I tuned into some music for the purpose of this review. In my opinion, the music sounded great. The availability of the app to adjust sound is great, but I didn’t need to use it. When running with only one bud in, along a busy street, I found the volume a little low, but since that was due to the traffic noise I didn’t want to turn up the volume. Instead, I inserted the left bud, which helped block out the noise of the cars passing and I could hear my book just fine.
Ease of Use
The Jaybird RUN headphones are extremely easy to use. I simply followed instructions to connect via Bluetooth to my phone and I was good to go. With only two buttons (one on each earbud) controlling the Jaybird Run is simple too. Those buttons give you the ability to Start/Pause/Answer a phone call, open up Siri/Google Assistant, ignore a phone call, and turn the headphones on or off.
The Fit
Ah, the fit. I admit that the fit was my biggest concern. Would they stay in? Would they be comfortable or feel like they were getting ready to fall out all the time? Important questions.
All my worries were for nothing. While it took me a few tries to get the perfect fit (including the discovery that I need different tips for each ear), my Jaybird RUN now fit me perfectly! Once they’re inserted correctly they don’t move. And they really are so light that you can barely even feel them.
I can assure you that even if you’ve never owned an earbud that didn’t fall out, this will not happen with Jaybird RUN. The difference is the fin, which tucks lightly into what I believe is the concha and holds the bud firmly in place.
Things I Love
No Wires! At all! Nothing getting tangled in my hair, nothing preventing me from wearing a headband, nothing making it uncomfortable to rest my head back. Just no wires!
They turn off after 30 minutes. Maybe it’s just me, but I seem to forget to turn off my other Bluetooth headphones when I’m done, only to find out the next morning and having to deal with a dead battery. Not only do the Jaybird Run turn off after 30 minutes of non-use, they also turn off and on automatically when they are inserted or removed from the recharging case.
The recharging case. And speaking of the recharging case, it’s just a great tool! Even if your Jaybird Run battery is dead, with only five minutes in the case you have an extra hour of listening time.
The fit. Yes, it took me a little while to get the perfect fit. I discovered that my left ear is apparently shaped differently than my right for one thing. But once I got it right, the Jaybird Run fits so perfectly I could almost forget that I’m wearing them.
Things I don’t love
Really the only thing I’ve had an issue with (and is probably user error) is that sometimes after I’ve touched the pause button to stop play, it does not resume when I touch it again. This has only happened a couple times, so I’m not sure why. When this happens I have the choice of pulling out my phone or turning off the headphones and then turning them back on, in which case the playback automatically restarts.
Overall, the Jaybird RUN offers exceptional sound in a tiny package. With comfortable, almost weightless buds that give you control over your music and phone calls and no wires to get in the way, they will quickly become your favorite headphones not just for running, but for any fitness activity. Jaybird RUN retails for $180 and you can purchase them here. Not cheap but they will be the last pair of headphones you buy for a long time.
And Now It’s Time for the Running Coaches’ Corner!
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Weekly Linkups
My weekly linkups! Please stop by and check out all of the great recipes, workouts, and information that all these awesome bloggers share every week!
Meatless Monday with Sarah and Deborah
Meatless Monday with Annmarie and Dixya
Tuesdays on the Run with Marcia, Erika, and Patty
Inspire Me Monday with Janice
Wild Workout Wednesday with Annmarie, Jen, and Nicole
The Plant-Based Potluck Party with Deborah
The Running Coaches’ Corner with Rachel, Lora Marie, and Me!
Friday 5 2.0 with Rachel and Lacey and Meranda
I love that you can wear just one bud in your ear. I often do that if I am on my bike. The fact that they are customizable are great!
I usually only listen to music and podcasts on a long run. Wireless headphones are GREAT and these look awesome!
You know I love music on my runs. I’d love to try these! I’ve heard great things about them.
I love that there’s a way to only wear one ear bud. Sometimes I like to run with music or podcasts outside but don’t feel super safe about it.
I don’t run but when I cycle or workout I listen to music. It is good to know that these earbuds do stay in your ears.
I couldn’t run without music!!!
Depends on the length of my run. For short runs I like upbeat music to power me through the run faster. For longer runs I enjoy listening to an audio books to pass the time and to keep my mind occupied.
These look like neat little toys to enhance the running experience! I’m a huge fan of having music with me (if I’m running solo or during a race).
I like music for running and podcasts for walking 🙂
These sound really great! Ive been looking for wireless headphones but haven’t found any that worked for me. I’m glad to hear these stayed in your ears well!
At the gym I listen to podcasts on longer, even paced runs and I listen to music during tempo runs. I usually don’t run with anything when I’m outside because of safety.
I enjoy listening to music, podcasts, & some audiobooks during runs. It’s nice to have variety to change up the same old routes.
These sound pretty awesome! Especially the one bud in ear option. Also the quick recharge for an extra hour! Love that! You could even recharge while on the run. Nice!
I don’t always listen to music, but sometimes I find it really helpful for long runs and speed workouts. I have a hard time keeping earbuds in as well, so it’s good to know these stay put!
Wow. Those look amazing. I’d love to win! I’ve been really wanting headphones like these.
And I’m a podcast addict when I workout. And really all the time.
I’ve been testing them out as well. My only gripe is that I can’t use just the left bud. I mean, I could, but then I can’t use the phone feature which is important to me when I’m running solo. I emailed tech support so hopefully they’ll be able to tell me how to switch those features. Otherwise I enjoy them!
I listen to podcasts during training runs (to keep my mind active!)and music during races. I currently have jaybird freedoms and love them. These look fantastic!
I need music when I workout! It really gets me going.
I listen to music when I run. It really helps me power through those tough workouts.
These look super cool! I’m constantly fiddling around with my ear buds!
I’ve struggled to find ones that fit in my ears too! I want to try these. I listen to music mainly!
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I added it to my bookmark sire list and will be checking back in the near future.
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I don’t listen to anything but nature while running, but my wife does! I would love to win these for her. She listens to music, podcasts and sometimes books while running.
I am ALWAYS in tangled wire hell . . . it adds another 5 minutes to my pre workout routine. ARGH! That is just ONE of the reasons I’d love to try these!
I can never run without listening something!
I like to listen to music when I run, these look awesome.
Not really, but I will if I get these
I usually listen to music.
I listen to music when I run.
I go through phases of running with or without music, but these would be perfect for my workouts and yoga at home.
I have to listen to music when I exercise. Listening to books are a relaxing for me and I enjoy having my mind focused on the book.
I always listen to podcasts or music when I run! I get bored if I am not listening to something.
Definitely music! It always keeps me going!
These look and sound awesome. I love that they are no wires as well. I do listen to music most often but lately there have been a few podcasts I have been enjoying!
I always listen to music when I run.
I’ve never had a pair of wireless headphones but I love listening to music on my walks. It really motivates me.
I am just starting to add running to my routine. I love to listen to music when I run because it seems to motivate me more.
I listen to fast paced music when I run to keep me moving!