Although I test many helmets for running, I always come back to using bone conduction helmets so that my ears are open for safety. Yes because with the darkness that surrounds me during my winter sessions and the rain, bone conduction headphones are perfect. Last month I raced with these helmets and was extremely happy with their performance. Here’s why.
The price of the Aeropex is 170 €. And the helmet is available in Cosmic Black, Blue Eclipse, Solar Red, and Lunar Gray colors. I tested the Cosmic Black set in standard size.
The bone conduction headphones at € 169.95 on Amazon
I first tried AfterShokz bone conduction technology with the Trekz Air in 2018. And over the past year, I’ve tested a few other options from competitors. And it’s clear that AfterShokz is raising the bar when it comes to bone conduction headphones optimized for running training.
The Aeropex headphones use 8th generation bone conduction technology from AfterShokz, and it’s clear the company has worked hard to deliver a great audio experience. There is also a slight compromise in audio performance with bone conduction compared to standard headphones that fit in, over, or over your ears. However, the volume, clarity and overall experience provided by the Aeropex is perfect for me. I took part in a trail run this summer and used the Aeropex, because it is the only type of helmet allowed and it allows you to open your ears to the environment around you while having sound .
The material of the Aeropex helmet
The pack includes the headset, a silicone carrying case with magnetic clasp, earplugs and two magnetic charging cables. These two cables allow me to keep one in my travel bag and the other at home. Very practical because I like to run when I travel.
The helmet has a titanium frame, so you get a light and comfortable fit. There is no pressure or discomfort caused by prolonged wearing of the helmet.
One aspect of the Trekz Air that I didn’t like is the presence of tiny buttons and a small cover to access the microUSB port for charging the headset. On the Aeropex we find two large buttons under the right side and a magnetic induction cable. This charging mechanism can also contribute to the reliability of the headset, as there is no opening for water to enter the headset. There is also a large button on the outside of the left side that fits your ear. Controls are simple and easy with the Aeropex, a big improvement over the Trekz Air.
The large multi-function button is used to play / pause music, skip to the next song, go back to the previous song, answer / end calls, reject calls, redial the last number and launch the voice assistant of your favorite device. The power and volume buttons obviously allow you to control power and volume, but also to cut calls, change equalizer settings and check battery status.
AfterShokz advertises up to eight hours of battery life, which matches my experience. I usually do three or four runs and wear them for a few trips before charging the headphones. Although they have an IP67 dust and water resistance rating, they are not designed for swimming.
The Aeropex also supports multipoint pairing so you can connect to two devices at the same time, which is useful if you want to connect to a phone and watch or a phone and tablet at the same. time, then switch between them as needed.
Aeropex helmet specifications
- Microphones : Dual noise-canceling microphone
- Resistance to dust and water : IP67 rating
- Battery life : Up to 8 hours of play. Two hours to charge the headset using a magnetic induction cable.
- Wireless connectivity : Bluetooth 5.0
- Headset weight : 26 grams
Experiences and conclusions of the daily use of the Aeropex helmet
There are several reasons why I prefer to use the AfterShokz Aeropex over standard earbuds, including the fact that they never fall out of your ears no matter how much you shake and roll when working out. The headset easily holds up to eight hours of playback, keeps my ears open to hear my surroundings, and never disturbs those around me.
At first I only used it for running, but adopted it for my daily commutes because I can sit on the train and listen to music, podcasts and videos without other passengers hearing nothing. A friend even recommended that I use them on planes, in combination with the supplied earplugs.
For running, I have paired the headset with multiple Android phones and watches, including the Garmin Forerunner 945 LTE and Coros Vertix 2. The audio is rendered perfectly every time, with no downtime or skipping. The bass is okay. For racing in the rain, the helmet works flawlessly.
Since the days I used the Trekz Air the knobs have been improved, and that one design improvement alone was enough to make me recommend the Aeropex. I also appreciate the longer battery life and improved audio performance.
The bone conduction headphones at € 169.95 on Amazon
Source: “ZDNet.com”