Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 Mini Review: The GOAT of Running Headphones?
Let’s start this review with a confession… There was a lot of hype. From family, colleagues, and running friends, the buzz around the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 Mini was really hard to deny and got me excited to give them a whirl. While they probably don’t need much of an introduction (see: cult running headphones already), let’s run through the key specs anyway:
- Shokz DualPitch technology (a combination of bone conduction and air conduction technology);
- Open air design for situational awareness;
- AI Noise Cancelling & Wind Resistant Mics;
- 12-hour battery & quick charge (5 mins = 2.5 hours playback time);
- IP55 Water Resistant (ie. can withstand some water spray and sweat, but not fully submerged).
In the past month or two, I’ve hit peak marathon training as I track towards the London Marathon, I’ve really put these babies through their paces — I’m talking easy runs, tempos, track sessions, long runs — including lots of listening to music, podcasts, and the odd phone call (usually the desperate ‘please entertain me’ or ‘come save me’ calls during the Sunday Longys).
The things I’ve really loved about the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 Mini:
- The fit: Snug, lightweight, and extremely comfortable. Once they’re on, you barely notice them, even when wearing a hat and/or glasses. Even though the band is 2cm shorter on the minis, they’re also great (perfect fit, to be honest) if you’ve got a larger head circumference and a lot of hair to contend with. It did take a run or two to adjust to the feel compared to standard earbuds, but once I did, they stayed perfectly in place. No slipping, no constant adjustments — just set and forget.
- Situational awareness – Safety is paramount when running outdoors. One of the biggest advantages of bone conduction headphones is that they sit outside the ear, allowing you to hear sounds like traffic and people around you. In addition to this, when competing in running races, bone conduction headphones have really become the standard exception to the “no headphone” rule that applies to many races because they allow you to hear environmental noises, ie. other competitors, marshals, and emergency vehicles. This really appeals to us runners who would rather not listen to every one of their heavy breaths or uneven footsteps and need a motivating playlist to get us over the finish line.
- Sound quality: The DualPitch technology boasts “a perfect duet between a bone conduction and air conduction speaker”. The bone conduction speaker releases the highs and mids, while the air speaker releases the bass. Practically, this gives an improvement in bass quality compared to earlier bone conduction models. Sound leakage to your workout buddy is minimised via DirectPitchTM technology, and I can attest to its effectiveness… except at the highest volume, where unfortunately there is some minor leakage. I have to say, I was impressed with the sound quality — immersion is insane indoors. Outdoors, quality is good for this type of headphone (but more on this below).
- Physical buttons: The buttons are easy to locate while running, making it simple to change songs, answer calls, or adjust the volume as you go. Once you master how many clicks are required, the multifunction button does it all (well, the important things anyway). This is a big feature for me, the last thing I want during a session is to be fumbling around trying to find controls. Big tick.
- Size and practicality: They’re obviously a bit bigger than traditional earbuds, with the added band sitting behind your head (noting that the mini band is approx 2cm shorter than the standard Pro band), but I still found them really easy to manage. You can rest them around your neck when you’re not using them, and I even found myself occasionally tucking them under my sports bra shoulder strap. They’re surprisingly nimble (made from ultra-soft silicone and Ni-Ti Memory Alloy), which is great if you’re someone who uses headphones for multiple things throughout the day and is constantly taking them on and off — in the car, at home, or mid-run.
More perks:
- USB-C charging: The USB-C port (which now comes with a flap to seal for water resistance) and charging cable are a great addition. I love being able to use the same charger for both my phone and my headphones, which just makes life easier. From what I understand, this isn’t a feature across all OpenRun models, so it’s a really nice upgrade. The waterproof charging port is also a big plus, especially with sweat… and rainy runs — something we get plenty of living in Victoria.
- The case: Another feature I really appreciated is the included case. After chatting with a few fellow OpenRun owners who have older models, it seems a case wasn’t always included – so this is a welcome addition. It’s lightweight, easy to pop the headphones into (no wrangling required), looks great, and even has a spot to store the charging cable. It’s a small detail, but it makes keeping everything together much easier.
Things I will need to adjust to:
- Remembering to turn them off: I’ll be honest – I did forget this a few times. Unlike many earbuds, they don’t sit in a charging case that automatically powers them down or tops up the battery. It just means you need to remember to switch them off and keep a bit more awareness of your battery level. (Maybe a charging-case option for the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 Mini in the future?).
- Sound in the wind: A common drawback of open-ear technology is how they perform in windy conditions. This is a tricky area to critique, as the open design is intentional – it prioritises situational awareness, which is important for most users. While Shokz promotes AI noise-cancelling and wind-resistant microphones – and they generally perform well outdoors – strong winds, especially when pushing through a headwind, sound quality is significantly affected. In these conditions, audio becomes difficult to hear, and with the volume already at its maximum, there’s little you can do… other than turn your head away from the wind or wait until you’re out of it to continue with your chosen music or podcast.
To finish where I started, I can now say I understand the hype around the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 Mini. In a price-conscious market, these are competitively priced at RRP $319, however, if you add to cart right now, you can nab a bargain at $249 on many online stores post-Shokz Autumn Sale.
Big props to Shokz — these headphones have well and truly earned a spot in my running kit, and they’ll definitely be making the trip to the London Marathon with me!
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