Stuff We Want: SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2, Headphones That Leave Your Ears Open for Mile 20
"marine corps marathon 2026" and "nyc marathon 2026" are rising on Google Trends. Race week is here, and your earbuds keep falling out.
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Searches for marine corps marathon 2026 and nyc marathon 2026 are climbing on Google Trends. The 51st Marine Corps Marathon runs Sunday, October 25, in Arlington and Washington, DC, and the New York City Marathon follows on Sunday, November 1. That means thousands of people are doing the same thing right now: laying out gear on the bed and wondering why their earbuds have never once stayed in past mile 8.
Meet the SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2. Nothing goes in your ears. The band wraps behind your head and the speakers rest just in front of your ears, so your ear canals stay open. SHOKZ calls it open-ear awareness: you hear your music and still hear the bike bell, the car, and the volunteer yelling that the water table is on the left.
The sound uses two kinds of drivers: bone conduction for the clear highs plus air conduction for deeper bass. SHOKZ rates it at 12 hours of listening, which covers a marathon, the walk back to the car and the entire celebratory brunch.
The fit is the part runners text each other about. It's a one-piece frame with a nickel-titanium memory wire and ear hooks, built so it doesn't slip or shift when you're bouncing, lifting or riding. No more jamming a bud back in every three songs.
In the Shokz app you get dedicated EQ modes, including a Classic Mode for pure bone conduction and a Volume Boost Mode for loud places, like a start corral with a DJ who only knows one song.
Calls work too. Dual wind-resistant microphones plus noise reduction are rated to cut 96.5% of background noise, including wind up to 15 mph. So yes, you can answer your mom mid-run and tell her you're "basically at the finish."
One honest note: headphone rules vary by race. Check your race's runner guide before you plan your playlist around it.
Who it's for
- Runners in training who want to hear traffic and music at the same time.
- Cyclists and gym people who are done fishing earbuds out of their shirt.
- Gift shoppers with a friend who just signed up for their first race.
Who should skip it
- You want noise canceling. Open-ear is the opposite of sealing out the world.
- You mostly listen in a loud office or on the subway. Open-ear lets the room in.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Nothing in your ears; you still hear your surroundings.
- 12 hours of audio, per SHOKZ.
- Memory-wire frame built to stay put.
- App EQ modes, including Volume Boost.
- Wind-resistant mics for calls.
Cons
- No noise canceling, by design.
- Not every race allows headphones.
Pros and cons are our read of the features on the listing, not a hands-on test.
How it compares
Vs. the JLab Rewind 2: retro on-ear style for walking around. SHOKZ is built for sweat and movement.
Vs. the ALECK helmet speakers: also keeps your ears open, but it lives in a ski helmet.
Pairs with: the LifeStraw Go bottle for long training days on the trail.
FAQ
Do the SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2 go in your ears?
No. They're open-ear: the band wraps behind your head and the speakers sit just in front of your ears.
How long does the battery last?
SHOKZ rates it at 12 hours of audio.
Can I wear them in a marathon?
It depends on the race. Rules differ, so check your race's runner guide.
Is there an app?
Yes. The Shokz app has EQ modes, including Classic Mode and Volume Boost Mode.
The verdict
The verdict: hand-picked for race week. If your earbuds bail on you every long run, these just sit there and play, and you can still hear the world around you.
#ad. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Hand-picked by The Deez List.
