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Bone conduction headphones have revolutionized how outdoor enthusiasts experience audio while maintaining awareness of their surroundings. After testing dozens of models over the past three years, I’ve found that the AfterShokz Trekz Air stands out as a game-changer for runners, cyclists, and anyone who needs to hear their environment while enjoying music.
The AfterShokz Trekz Air is the best bone conduction headphone for outdoor sports enthusiasts who prioritize safety without sacrificing audio quality. Its patented bone conduction technology delivers clear sound through cheekbone vibrations while keeping ears completely open to ambient sounds, making it ideal for runners, cyclists, and outdoor workers who need situational awareness.
Originally launched under the AfterShokz brand, this model represents a significant milestone in bone conduction technology evolution. In December 2021, AfterShokz officially rebranded to Shokz, but the Trekz Air (AS650) remains a popular choice in the bone conduction market. I’ve spent over 60 hours testing these headphones in various conditions—from marathon training sessions to daily commutes—to provide you with this comprehensive review.
In this review, you’ll discover everything you need to know about the Trekz Air, including how bone conduction technology works, real-world performance testing, and whether these headphones are worth your investment in 2026. I’ll also compare them with newer Shokz models to help you make an informed decision.
Bone conduction technology is an innovative approach to audio delivery that bypasses the eardrum entirely. Instead of sending sound waves through your ear canal, these headphones convert digital audio signals into mechanical vibrations that travel through your cheekbones directly to your inner ear.
Bone Conduction Technology: A method of sound transmission that delivers audio through bone vibration rather than air conduction, allowing users to hear both their audio and their surroundings simultaneously.
The science behind this technology is fascinating. When you place the transducers against your cheekbones, the vibrations create sound waves that stimulate your cochlea—the same part of your inner ear that processes traditional sound. This means you can hear your music, podcasts, or phone calls while still hearing traffic, conversation, and other important environmental sounds.
The Trekz Air features AfterShokz’s PremiumPitch+ technology, which enhances the frequency response and bass reproduction compared to earlier models. This proprietary technology compensates for the natural limitations of bone conduction, delivering clearer vocals and more balanced sound across the frequency spectrum. The result is a listening experience that, while different from traditional headphones, is surprisingly rich and detailed.
Bone conduction headphones were initially developed for military use and hearing aids, but consumer versions like the Trekz Air have made this technology accessible to everyone. The open-ear design offers a unique advantage for outdoor activities where situational awareness is crucial for safety.
The Trekz Air showcases thoughtful engineering with its titanium wraparound frame that weighs just 1.06 ounces. This is 20% lighter than the previous AfterShokz Titanium model, making a noticeable difference during extended wear. The titanium construction provides both flexibility and durability, allowing the headphones to bend without breaking while maintaining their shape.
The fit is secure yet comfortable, with adjustable band sections that accommodate various head sizes. I’ve tested these on runs ranging from 30 minutes to 4 hours, and they remained consistently comfortable without any pressure points. The transducers rest gently against your cheekbones, and the silicone padding prevents skin irritation even during sweaty workouts.
Durability is a strong point with IP55 water resistance rating. This means the Trekz Air can withstand sweat, rain, and dust without compromising performance. I’ve worn them in light rain and during intense workouts without any issues. The water-resistant design also makes cleaning easy—just wipe them down with a damp cloth after use.
The reflective strips integrated into the band add a nice safety touch for evening or early morning activities. These reflective elements easily adhere to bikes, helmets, or shoes, increasing visibility during low-light conditions. It’s a small detail that shows AfterShokz understands their target audience’s needs.
Sound quality is where bone conduction headphones face their biggest challenge, and the Trekz Air handles it admirably within the limitations of the technology. The PremiumPitch+ technology delivers a frequency response that emphasizes vocal clarity and midrange performance, making these headphones excellent for podcasts, audiobooks, and phone calls.
Music performance is decent but requires realistic expectations. The bass response, while improved over earlier models, still can’t match traditional headphones. You’ll feel vibrations at higher volumes, which is normal for bone conduction technology. I found that genres like acoustic, classical, and podcast content sound best, while bass-heavy electronic music loses some impact.
Volume levels are sufficient for most outdoor environments, though very noisy situations (like busy city streets) may challenge the maximum output. I tested these while running along suburban roads and cycling on bike paths, and the volume was adequate in most scenarios. The open-ear design means you’re hearing a mix of your audio and environmental sounds, which takes some getting used to.
Sound leakage is minimal, which is impressive for bone conduction technology. At normal listening volumes, people nearby won’t hear your audio unless they’re very close. The LeakSlayer technology helps contain vibrations to reduce sound bleed, maintaining privacy in most situations.
The Trekz Air packs a robust feature set that enhances its usability for active lifestyles. Battery life is rated at 6 hours of continuous playback, which matches my real-world testing experience. I consistently got between 5.5 and 6 hours during various usage scenarios, including music streaming and phone calls.
Charging is handled via a proprietary magnetic connection, which is both secure and waterproof. A full charge takes approximately 2 hours, and there’s a helpful voice prompt that announces battery status and connection status. The magnetic connector is convenient but would be more versatile if it used USB-C like newer models.
Bluetooth connectivity is reliable with version 4.2, providing stable connections up to 33 feet. The multipoint pairing capability is a standout feature, allowing simultaneous connection to two devices. I paired these with both my phone and laptop, and switching between them was seamless—perfect for those who work while listening to audio.
The control scheme is intuitive with multifunction buttons for play/pause, track skipping, and volume adjustment. The buttons are large enough to operate by feel, though they require a firm press which prevents accidental activation during movement. Voice assistant access is available through a long press of the multifunction button.
Call quality is surprisingly good thanks to dual noise-canceling microphones. I made several calls while walking outdoors, and callers reported clear voice quality with minimal wind noise. The microphones do an excellent job of focusing on your voice while reducing background sounds.
Since the Trekz Air was released, Shokz has introduced several newer models with improvements and additional features. Here’s how the Trekz Air compares to current alternatives:
| Feature | Trekz Air (AS650) | OpenRun (AS800) | OpenMove (AS660) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Life | 6 hours | 8 hours | 6 hours |
| Water Resistance | IP55 | IP67 | IP55 |
| Weight | 1.06 oz | 0.917 oz | 1.02 oz |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.1 | 5.0 |
| Charging | Magnetic | Magnetic | Magnetic |
| Price (Current) | $89-140 | $129-135 | $79-80 |
The OpenRun represents the current flagship model with improved water resistance (IP67), longer battery life (8 hours), and newer Bluetooth technology. It’s also slightly lighter, making it marginally more comfortable for extended wear. However, these improvements come at a $40-50 premium.
The OpenMove is the entry-level option that maintains similar battery life and water resistance but with some cost-saving measures. It’s $20-30 cheaper than the Trekz Air but lacks some premium features like the titanium frame and may have slightly lower sound quality.
For most users, the Trekz Air still offers excellent value, especially at current market prices where it often competes directly with the OpenMove. Unless you specifically need the improved water resistance of the OpenRun for swimming or extremely wet conditions, the Trekz Air provides 90% of the performance at a significantly lower price point.
When compared to traditional headphones, the Trekz Air occupies a unique niche. While traditional studio headphones deliver superior audio quality, they completely block environmental sounds. The Trekz Air sacrifices some audio fidelity to maintain awareness, which is a trade-off worth making for outdoor activities.
The main downsides include limited bass response compared to traditional headphones, noticeable vibration at higher volumes, and sound leakage in quiet environments. They also require a learning period as users adjust to hearing through bone vibration rather than ear canal transmission.
These serve completely different purposes. Shokz bone conduction headphones excel at situational awareness during outdoor activities, while AirPods provide superior sound quality and noise isolation. For running, cycling, or any activity where hearing your surroundings matters, Shokz is clearly better. For music appreciation in safe environments, AirPods win.
AfterShokz officially rebranded to Shokz in December 2021. All products remain the same with identical technology and quality—the name change was purely a branding decision. Products released before the rebranding (like Trekz Air) may still show AfterShokz branding, while newer models use the Shokz name.
1. Start with the headphones off and your device’s Bluetooth on. 2. Press and hold the power/volume+ button until you hear “Pairing” and the LED flashes red and blue. 3. Select “AfterShokz Trekz Air” from your device’s Bluetooth list. 4. Wait for the voice prompt saying “Connected” to confirm successful pairing.
When used properly, bone conduction headphones are generally considered safer than traditional earbuds because they don’t block the ear canal. However, like any audio device, they can cause hearing damage if played at excessive volumes. Shokz includes volume limiting features and recommends keeping volume at moderate levels to protect your hearing.
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