MyVibe Bone Conduction Headphones Review for Running
If you like listening to music, podcasts or audio while running, choosing the right headphones is not as simple as it sounds.
For road running, trail running and long-distance training, you want headphones that stay in place, remain comfortable for several hours and, importantly, allow you to hear what is happening around you.
This is where bone conduction and open-ear headphones have become increasingly popular. Shokz is probably the best-known name in this category, but there are now several alternatives worth considering.
We recently tested the MyVibe bone conduction headphones while training for some of the races we review, including longer sessions, and there was one characteristic that stood out above everything else: comfort.
MyVibe headphones: what are they?
MyVibe is a French brand offering wireless sports headphones based on bone conduction technology.
Instead of sitting inside your ear canal like traditional earbuds, the headphones sit outside the ears and transmit sound through vibrations. This leaves your ears open, meaning you can continue to hear traffic, other runners, cyclists, conversations and the sounds of nature while listening to your audio.
The current MyVibe range includes three models:
- MyVibe Is Good: 30 g and up to 6 hours of battery life
- MyVibe Is Strong: 27 g and up to 8 hours
- MyVibe Is Powerful: 28 g and up to 9 hours
The range is designed for sports and outdoor use, with IPX5 resistance to sweat, rain and water splashes.
But specifications only tell part of the story. For runners, the real question is: what are they like after two or three hours on the trails?
MyVibe models and key specifications
The three MyVibe models share the same open-ear concept, but they differ in weight, battery life and price.
MyVibe Is Good
The MyVibe Is Good is the entry-level model in the range. It weighs 30 grams and offers up to 6 hours of battery life.
This makes it suitable for shorter training runs, daily commuting and regular outdoor workouts where a full day of battery life is not essential.
Its IPX5 resistance also means it can handle sweat, light rain and water splashes during normal running conditions.
MyVibe Is Strong
The MyVibe Is Strong is the lightest model in the range at 27 grams.
It offers up to 8 hours of battery life, making it a more suitable option for runners who regularly train for several hours or want additional battery capacity for longer outings.
The lower weight may also appeal to runners who are particularly sensitive to pressure or movement around the ears.
MyVibe Is Powerful
The MyVibe Is Powerful offers the longest battery life in the range, with up to 9 hours of listening time.
It weighs 28 grams, which keeps it close to the weight of the Is Strong while providing an additional hour of battery life.
For marathon training, long trail runs and shorter ultra-distance efforts, this is the model that offers the greatest battery capacity.
Which MyVibe model is best for runners?
The best model depends mainly on how long you typically run.
The Is Good is sufficient for shorter sessions, while the Is Strong offers the lowest weight and a longer battery life. The Is Powerful is the most suitable choice if maximum battery life is your priority.
All three models retain the same basic advantages: open-ear awareness, a lightweight design and resistance to sweat and rain.
1. The biggest advantage: comfort
After testing the MyVibe headphones during our runs, comfort was probably the
biggest positive surprise.
They are very light, and after a couple of hours of running we did not experience the
feeling of having something constantly pressing inside the ears.
That might sound like a small detail, but it makes a significant difference during long
training sessions.
With conventional in-ear headphones, some runners eventually start noticing the
earbuds. They can create pressure, become uncomfortable with sweat, or simply
make you feel like something is permanently sitting inside your ears.
With MyVibe, the experience is different.
Because the ears remain open, the headphones can almost disappear from your
attention after a while.
And for trail runners who regularly spend several hours outside, that is a real
advantage.
2. You can still hear your surroundings
This is the main reason we like bone conduction headphones for running.
When running outdoors, particularly on roads or shared trails, being able to hear your surroundings is important.
You don’t necessarily want to completely isolate yourself from the environment just because you’re listening to music.
With MyVibe, the ears remain open, so you can continue to hear what is happening around you while listening to your music or podcasts.
This is particularly useful for:
- Running alongside roads
- Trail running (with other people or races)
- Urban running
- Shared bike and running paths
- Long solo runs or
- Running in unfamiliar areas
It also changes the feeling of running with headphones. You don’t feel as disconnected from your surroundings as you can with traditional earbuds.
For trail running in particular, we like being able to hear the environment while still having some audio in the background.
3. They work well with sunglasses and glasses
Another practical detail that became noticeable during our testing is how well the headphones work alongside sunglasses and prescription glasses.
This is something that is easy to overlook when choosing running headphones. Runners often have several things around their ears at the same time: glasses, sunglasses, caps, buff headbands and headphones.
The MyVibe design leaves the ears open and sits around the back of the head, so we found that it worked well even when wearing glasses or sunglasses.
For long trail runs, where sunglasses are often essential, this is an important part of the overall comfort.
4. Lightweight enough for long runs
Weight matters more than you might think when you’re wearing something for several
hours.
According to MyVibe, its models weigh between 27 and 30 grams, depending on the version. The Is Strong is the lightest at 27 g, while the Is Powerful weighs 28 g.
In practice, what matters is not simply the number on the specification sheet, but
whether you actually notice the headphones while running. Our impression was that they remained comfortable even after extended running
sessions.
For marathon and ultra-distance runners, this is particularly relevant. A pair of headphones that feels perfectly fine for 30 minutes can become annoying after four or five hours.
The MyVibe design is much less intrusive in that respect.
5. Battery life for training and long-distance running
Battery life is another important consideration for runners.
The MyVibe range offers between 6 and 9 hours of listening time, depending on the model.
That is enough for most training runs and, depending on the model, can also cover a substantial part of an ultra-distance race.
The Is Powerful offers up to 9 hours of listening time, while the Is Strong provides up
to 8 hours.
For someone who uses headphones regularly for long runs, this is one of the areas where it makes sense to choose the model according to your typical training duration.
Bone conduction headphones vs traditional earbuds for running
So why would you choose bone conduction headphones instead of normal wireless. earbuds?
There isn’t necessarily one universally better solution. It depends on what you want
from your headphones.
Traditional earbuds generally provide more isolation from outside noise, which can be
useful when sound quality and immersion are your priorities.
Bone conduction and open-ear headphones take a different approach.
The priority is keeping your ears open while listening to audio.
For runners, cyclists and outdoor athletes, this can be a major benefit.
And there is another advantage that became particularly obvious during our testing: your ears simply don’t get tired from having earbuds inside them.
After a long run, that difference can be surprisingly noticeable.
Is MyVibe a good alternative to Shokz?
When looking at bone conduction headphones for running, Shokz is probably the first brand many runners will encounter.
Shokz has established itself as one of the best-known names in open-ear and bone conduction headphones, including models specifically aimed at running, trail running and other endurance sports.
But MyVibe is an interesting alternative, particularly for runners who are looking for a lighter and more affordable bone conduction headphone.
The MyVibe range currently starts at €29.99 for the Is Good, €39.99 for the Is Strong and €49.99 for the Is Powerful on the brand’s website.
That puts MyVibe in a very different price category from some of the better-known premium alternatives.
We wouldn’t say that means MyVibe is automatically “better” than Shokz. Sound quality, microphone performance, durability and other characteristics can vary between models.
But if your main priorities are comfort, low weight, staying aware of your surroundings and having headphones that work well for long runs, MyVibe is certainly worth considering.
What we liked about MyVibe
After using the headphones during our runs, these were the things that stood out
most:
Very lightweight
The headphones are easy to wear for extended periods.
Excellent comfort for long runs
This was probably our favourite characteristic. Even after a couple of hours, they
remained comfortable.
Your ears stay open
You can continue to hear the environment while listening to audio.
No earbuds inside the ear canal
For people who dislike the sensation of in-ear headphones, this is a major
advantage.
Works well with glasses and sunglasses
A useful detail for runners who regularly wear eye protection outdoors.
Good battery life
Depending on the model, MyVibe offers 6, 8 or 9 hours of listening time.
Designed for sport
The headphones are IPX5-rated for resistance to sweat, rain and water splashes.
Our verdict: a very comfortable option for running
The most important thing we took away from testing MyVibe was not a particular technical specification.
It was simply that we stopped thinking about the headphones.
After a couple of hours running, they remained light and comfortable. We could wear sunglasses or glasses without the setup becoming cumbersome, and our ears
remained completely open to the surrounding environment.
For trail running and long-distance training, that’s exactly what we want from
headphones.
If you’re searching for bone conduction headphones for running, looking for a Shokz
alternative, or simply want a pair of comfortable headphones for long runs, MyVibe deserves to be on your shortlist.
The biggest selling point, in our experience, is simple:
You can listen to your music without feeling like you’re wearing earbuds.
And after several hours on the trail, that makes a difference.
MyVibe Running Headphones FAQ
-
Are MyVibe headphones good for running?
Yes. MyVibe headphones are designed for sports and outdoor activities, and their
bone conduction design keeps the ears open while you listen to music, podcasts or
other audio. This makes them particularly suitable for outdoor running. -
Are MyVibe headphones good for trail running?
They are a particularly interesting option for trail runners. Because the ears remain
open, you can listen to audio while still hearing other runners, cyclists and the sounds
of the trail around you. Their low weight and battery life are also useful for longer
training runs. -
Are MyVibe headphones a good alternative to Shokz?
MyVibe is an alternative to Shokz for runners looking for bone conduction
headphones. Both use an open-ear approach, but the different models vary in price,
weight, battery life and features. MyVibe is worth considering if you are looking for a
lighter and more affordable option. -
Can you hear your surroundings with MyVibe headphones?
Yes. The bone conduction design leaves the ear canal open, so you can hear
ambient sounds while listening to your audio. This can be particularly useful when
running outdoors, on roads or on busy trails. -
Can you wear MyVibe headphones with glasses or sunglasses?
Yes. We tested the headphones with both prescription glasses and sunglasses and
found that they remained comfortable. This is particularly useful for trail and mountain
runners who often wear sunglasses for several hours. -
How long does the MyVibe battery last?
Battery life depends on the model. The MyVibe range currently offers up to 6 hours of
battery life for the Is Good, 8 hours for the Is Strong and 9 hours for the Is Powerful. -
Can you use MyVibe headphones for an ultra trail?
Yes, depending on the duration of your race. The longest-lasting MyVibe model offers
up to 9 hours of battery life, which is enough for many long training runs and a
significant part of an ultra-distance race. For longer ultras, battery requirements
should be considered alongside your expected race time and opportunities to
recharge. -
Are MyVibe headphones waterproof?
MyVibe headphones have an IPX5 rating, making them resistant to sweat, rain and
water splashes. They are therefore suitable for running in normal wet-weather
conditions, although they are not designed to be submerged in water.
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