Running with earphones has always been a risky trade-off. On one hand I do find that music, podcasts and audiobooks make time spent running more enjoyable and something I really look forward to. A lot of the thoughts for my books, posts and videos originate then. But on the other hand, blocking out the outside world – cars, cyclists, other runners, or random hazards – is not the safest and smartest way either. That’s where open-ear headphones come in.
Over the holidays, I’ve been running with the Langsdom AirWave Pro – open-ear headphones designed specifically to leave your ears free. And let me tell you, I’m positively surprised.
This review is based on my experience using them as a runner. I typically spend 8-10 hours every week on roads and trails and more than 80% of the time I’m listening to something. So, I consider myself an experienced earphone user. In the post below I’ll share my thoughts after a month of daily use – what works, what stands out, and who Langsdom AirWave Pro are actually for.
The Air Conduction Technology
Before getting into the AirWave Pro specifically, a few notes on why open-ear heaphones are becoming so popular among runners.
Traditional in-ear earbuds (think AirPods) and noise-cancelling headphones (think Bose QuietComfort) seal the ear canal. That might be great for sound quality and staying present during meetings, but not ideal when you’re outside with random hazards (traffic, other people, etc.). Open-ear headphones are different – don’t block your ears at all.
Bone-conduction headphones (think Shokz OpenRun) transmit sound through vibrations along the cheekbones, bypassing the eardrum. This allows runners to hear music while still experiencing ambient sounds – cars approaching, footsteps behind you, or someone calling out.
The Langsdom AirWave Pro takes a step forward and uses air conduction technology, rather than pure bone conduction. So, instead of vibrating cheekbones, small speakers sit just outside the ears and direct sound inward. The benefit? Better perceived sound quality, less sound leakage and more comfort.
From a safety standpoint, that’s a big win for runners, as ambient sounds (like traffic, approaching cyclists, etc.) are not blocked out and the runner stays more aware of what’s around him or her.
Now let’s get into the details.
First Impressions – Design, Fit & Comfort
Honestly, I expected the open-ear headphones to be bulky and uncomfortable, but the AirWave Pro is super lightweight – just 26 grams – and comfortable. Once I put them on, I forgot they even existed, which is a major plus for me.
The over-ear hooks made of skin-friendly silicone feel quite soft. I felt zero pressure during my runs with a cap and just a little when I put the over-ears winter running hat on sub-freezing days. But even then, no irritation or discomfort throughout my 2-hour runs. They just sit comfortably on the ears without the need to readjust (which I sometimes do with my AirPods when they get wet from sweat or rain).
Personally, I’m quite picky with headphones, as I have both long hair and the need to wear glasses, which makes it challenging to find a product that fits well. However, I found that from a comfort perspective, AirWave Pro are significantly easier to wear for long runs than in-ear buds. Even when I put the hat over them during colder runs.
Safety – The Big Win
This is the area I was most curious to test in the AirWave Pro.
I usually don’t put my earphones on a very high volume to hear at least something that is happening outside. But running with AirWave Pro open-ear headphones, I could hear cars and cyclists approaching much more vividly and was generally more aware of surroundings, which made me feel safer and more confident.
I did need to put the volume a little higher to hear the soft voice of the audiobook, but the best part was that even at higher volume it didn’t overpower the street sounds.
The way I’d put it is, instead of filtering the outside noise, the open-ear design ensures the brain can process external sounds naturally.
Sound Quality – Better Than Expected
I want to manage some expectations here.
Running headphones will not replace a pair of premium in-ear earbuds or over-the-ears headphones, if the priority is rich bass, sound isolation or the level of detail. But listening to a classic piece in an isolated room is not what they’re designed for.
The AirWave Pro uses 18×11 mm oval speakers, a spiral acoustic design, and Directional Sound 5.0 to focus audio toward the ears and minimize sound leakage. In practice, that means music is clear, clean and well-balanced. And what I also was surprised about was that bass was present (though lighter than in sealed earbuds).
One advantage of air conduction over bone conduction is that there’s less vibration, which makes the sound feel more natural. For running, this works perfectly (even surprisingly) well. With my winter hat over the ears I could tell no difference compared to regular earbuds. And even without it, the sound leakage was so minimal that I couldn’t notice it. I set up the volume when I got out the door and hasn’t changed it since..
Waterproof Performance & Durability
A bit of context here, I consider myself a pro listener and have destroyed quite a few earpods as a result of heavy use – either by dropping them during a run or by means of water leakage (sweat & rain). It’s mid-January as I write this and I’ve used AirWave Pro throughout the winter and experienced all seasons (except summer heat). Rain, wind, hail, snow – these open-ear headphones withstood everything.
After a month of heavy use I can say AirWave Pro is built for real-world training.
IP rating of IP67 means these running headphones are water- & dustproof and can survive temporary water immersion (or in my case a 2-hour rainy run).
Read also: QuietOn 3.1 – Will Noise-Cancelling Sleepbuds Make You Sleep Better?
Battery Life & Charging
Now the best part.
Langsdom promises their headphones provide up to 17.5 hours of playback time in Bluetooth mode at 50% volume. In reality, in a month that I’ve used them I probably charged them twice. And both times it took under an hour. A big win for me!
For runners who prefer to leave their phone at home, or race with minimal gear, there’s a very cool function: 32 GB of built-in storage (enough for 1,000+ songs).
Final Thoughts – Who Are the Langsdom AirWave Pro For?
From a runner’s perspective, the Langsdom AirWave Pro checks the boxes that actually matter: safety, comfort, durability, and practicality.
These headphones make the most sense for runners who prioritize safety and want to maintain the awareness of what’s happening outside (or feel connected with the nature). Definitely runners who dislike in-ear buds (I know a few of those). And of course minimalists who want to leave their phones at home.
If your top priority is immersive sound or heavy bass, in-ear earbuds or over-the-head headphones will still win. But if you want a safer, more comfortable way to run with audio, the AirWave Pro delivers exactly that.
They don’t try to be something they’re not. Instead, they solve a very real problem – how to enjoy audio while running without disconnecting from the world around you. For me, that makes them a smart training tool rather than just another piece of tech.
