Hiking or backpacking is a great way to escape the noise of modern technology and bask in the serenity of nature. But still, some folks still crave listening to their favorite playlist, catching up with a podcast, or taking in some audiobooks. But not all headphones are built to withstand the conditions you’ll put them through while hiking, there are a lot of well-designed options out there. What are the best headphones that you can get for your next hiking trip? Check out our list of recommendations below.
Comparison Chart
|
Name |
Price |
Weight |
Rating |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Jabra Elite Active 65t Earbuds  |
$$$ |
0.65 lbs |
Top pick |
|
|
Anker Spirit Pro Wireless Headphones  |
$$$ |
0.64 oz |
Water Resistant, Sports & Exercise |
|
|
AfterShockz Air Open-Ear Bone Conduction Headphones  |
$$$ |
1.27 oz |
Bone conduction technology |
|
|
Jaybird X3 In-Ear Wireless Sports Headphones  |
$$$ |
0.5 oz |
ability to wear the device in the under-ear or over-ear position |
|
|
Avantree E171 Sports Wired Earbuds  |
$$$ |
0.96 oz |
Sports ear buds wired with mic |
|
|
JLab Audio Flex Sport Headphones  |
$$$ |
1.13 lbs |
Gym Workout Headphones with Bluetooth |
|
|
Plantronics BackBeat FIT 500 On-Ear Headphones  |
$$$ |
5.44 oz |
Wireless Headphones with optional 3.5mm cable |
|
|
TBI Pro Upgraded True Wireless Earbuds  |
$$$ |
2.08 oz |
True Wireless Ear Buds |
|
|
$$$ |
2.82 oz |
Richer Bass HD Stereo Sound |
||
|
$$$ |
1.12 oz |
Integrated Clinically Validated Heart Rate Sensor, Activity/Fitness Tracker |
The 10 best hiking headphones
1. Top pick: Jabra Elite Active 65t Earbuds
| INFO |
DATA |
|---|---|
| Type |
True wireless earbuds |
| Weight |
6.5 grams right and 5.8 grams left |
| Battery Life |
15 hours |
| Weather Resistance |
IP56 rating (Protected from limited dust ingress, high-pressure waterjets) |
The Active 65t earbuds from Jabra is our top pick for hiking headphones. These are true wireless earbuds that come with a charging case and are integrated with voice command features for Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant. True wireless earbuds are kind of a new thing, but this technology has won us over despite the initial apprehension.Allaying any fears that wireless earbuds can fall off your ear in the middle of a hike and be lost forever, the Active 65t comes with a snug in-ear tip and an extended arm that hooks it naturally to the cavity of your ear. These earbuds stay put no matter how much you move around, and yet are quite comfortable. They are also very light, and the charging case is so small that you won’t need to think about how you can fit it in your pack.A full battery cycle of the Active 65t is good for around 15 hours of playback – more than enough for an entire day’s hike. In case you forget to charge it while at camp, you can get as much as an hour of playback by just quickly charging it for 15 minutes. The Active 65t earbuds are IP56-rated and will not be compromised even if you sweat on it profusely. Its dust protection is quite limited, though, we don’t recommend leaving it lying around outside its charger case while you’re not using it.Another nifty feature of the Active 65t is that it can be paired via Bluetooth to your phone, where you can use the Jabra app to play around with the sound equalization settings. Whether you prefer to listen to music that’s heavy on the bass or with more pronounced trebles, the customization feature allows you to fine-tune the sound of the earbuds just the way you like it.The Active 65t earbuds aren’t absurdly expensive, but they aren’t that budget-friendly, either. If you’re not willing to spend close to $200 for hiking headphones, then these wireless earbuds probably aren’t for you. In our opinion, they sure are worth the price.
2. Anker Spirit Pro Wireless Headphones
| INFO |
DATA |
|---|---|
| Type |
Wireless earbuds |
| Weight |
18.2 grams |
| Battery Life |
10 hours |
| Weather Resistance |
IP68 + SweatGuard |
If you aren’t comfortable with using true wireless earbuds while on a trail or if the Jabra Active 65t is simply too expensive for you, then we highly recommend these wireless earbuds from the ultra-reliable Anker brand. These aren’t “true” wireless earbuds, as there’s still a cable running from one earbud to the other.The Anker Spirit Pro is among the best-designed wireless headphones. Each earbud comes with a pair of super-soft EarTips and EarWings, which are super comfortable and help keep them anchored to your ear. Each Spirit Pro comes with an array of different sizes of EarTips and EarWings, so you can simply switch them out to find the perfect fit for you.The Spirit Pro can play audio at 60% volume for 10 hours, which should be enough to get you through an entire day’s hike. At the end of the day, it can be charged using a standard micro USB cable, which comes bundled with the earbuds. Audio equalization can be switched between two automatic modes: a well-balanced mode, and a more bass-heavy mode tailored for physical exercise.With an IP68 rating, the Anker Spirit Pro is designed with the very best dust proofing and water-resistance build available. Anker has gone one step further with SweatGuard technology, which is basically a hydrophobic nano-coating applied that protects the internal components of the earbuds against the corrosive effects of sweat.
3. AfterShockz Air Open-Ear Bone Conduction Headphones
| INFO |
DATA |
|---|---|
| Type |
Wireless bone conduction headphones |
| Weight |
36 grams |
| Battery Life |
6 hours |
| Weather Resistance |
Sweat-proof and water-resistant (no IP rating) |
Bone conduction headphones are relatively new, but we can see how this type of headphone technology makes sense for hiking. Instead of going into your ears, these bone conduction headphones deliver music through your cheekbones. The chief benefit of this design is that it allows your ears to remain sensitive to any outdoor noises – something that many hikers or backpackers consider important.These headphones are wireless and have a wrap-around design and flexible fit. Since they don’t go into your ears, they don’t need to fit as perfectly as more old-fashioned headphones. The flexible frame does a good job of staying put around the back of your head, so you won’t need to worry about these headphones falling off in the middle of a hike.The battery of the AfterShockz headphones will last up to six hours of continuous playtime and charges to full capacity in just two hours. It doesn’t come with a standard IP rating, but AfterShockz claims that it can handle “any element you throw their way.”Trying out any new form of technology like these bone conduction headphones may seem scary. But these headphones are inexpensive, so it’s not a huge loss if you don’t end up liking them. We’re willing to bet that you’ll end up wearing these on your next hike, though – nothing beats listening to upbeat music without losing your situational awareness.
4. Jaybird X3 In-Ear Wireless Sports Headphones
| INFO |
DATA |
|---|---|
| Type |
Wireless earbuds |
| Weight |
17.9 grams |
| Battery Life |
8 hours |
| Weather Resistance |
Sweat-proof and water-resistant (no IP rating) |
The Jaybird X3 are wireless in-ear sports headphones that you can get for less than $100. They come with different sizes of fins, silicone tips, and foam tips, allowing you to customize your pair to fit perfectly in your ears.The pair of earbuds are connected by a single cable that can be lifted off the back of your neck by wearing them in an over-ear orientation. The X3 comes in a wide variety of colors, so it’s a good choice if you want a pair of earbuds that will suit your personal style.Jaybird claims that the X3 is completely sweat-proof, water-resistant, and has been coated with a hydrophobic coating to protect against any manner of moisture damage. However, Jaybird does not provide an IP rating for the X3. This isn’t a complete loss, since it may mean that the X3 headphones simply weren’t tested according to IP standards.Custom sound equalization via the Jaybird app is a nice little feature, although its implementation isn’t quite as smooth as what Jabra offers. We like how the audio profiles get saved to the earbuds and not to the mobile device so you can carry over your custom sound settings across different devices.The biggest issue we have with the Jaybird X3 is the fact that it requires a proprietary charging dock. When you’re packing for a hike, an extra charging dock is just one more thing that you’ll have to worry about. If you don’t mind having to pack an extra item during your hiking trip, then the Jaybird X3 is a solid budget-friendly option.
5. Avantree E171 Sports Wired Earbuds
| INFO |
DATA |
|---|---|
| Type |
Wired earbuds |
| Weight |
27.2 grams |
| Battery Life |
N/A |
| Weather Resistance |
No data |
Over-the-ear wired earbuds that are made for physical activities are so rare that we were instantly drawn to this pair from Avantree. They are the perfect earbuds for those who prefer the simplicity of playing music from their phones without having to go through a Bluetooth pairing process and enduring the inevitable signal dropouts.Typically, wired earbuds are notorious for constantly falling off when worn while doing any sort of physical activity, which is the reason why not many people consider them for hiking. However, Aventree uses a combination of a super snug silicone earbud and a wraparound ear hook to keep the E171 firmly anchored to your ears.The E171 earbuds are light and comfortable, and if you tuck the wire inside your clothes, you can easily forget that they exist. The best thing about using wired earbuds is that you have one less device to keep charged, not to mention the fact that the power consumption of your phone or music device is also reduced.We do have a few qualms with this project relating to its build quality. Although Aventree claims that these earbuds are designed for sports or exercise, they provide no details on its degree of protection from sweat, dust, and moisture. If you’re taking these earbuds on the trail, then we suggest that you take care not to expose them to the elements unnecessarily.The audio quality also leaves a lot to be desired. The built-in equalization settings tend to lean towards a very heavy bass sound, which may not be everybody. However, we find it hard to complain about a product that costs less than $20 without sounding pedantic.
6. JLab Audio Flex Sport Headphones
| INFO |
DATA |
|---|---|
| Type |
Wireless over-ear headphones |
| Weight |
512 grams |
| Battery Life |
20 hours |
| Weather Resistance |
Sweat-resistant and moisture-wicking earpads |
Over-ear headphones are great for blocking out sounds from your environment so you can listen to your music in peace, but they are also heavy and quite hard to pack. Recognizing this as a problem, we chose the JLab Audio Flex Sport Headphones because they can be folded and packed into a small bundle, on top of the fact that they have been designed to withstand heavy physical activity.The ear cups of the Audio Flex headphones fold inward so they can fit into an included travel pouch that is about 7.5 inches long and 5 inches wide. We doubt that these headphones will spend a lot of time in your pack, though, as they are extremely comfortable as far as over-ear headphones go.The product comes with three types of headbands that vary according to tension: loose, normal, or tight. These headphones will fit you comfortably, no matter how big or small your head is. The earpads have a moisture-wicking fabric to prevent that uncomfortable feeling of the cushion getting soaked with sweat as the day progresses. The earpads and the headband pad are removable so you can just wash them after your hike.A fully charged battery of the Audio Flex headphones can last an astonishing 20 hours of continuous use. This should be enough to last two or three days of hiking. It would be nice not having to worry about charging your headphones every night.The Audio Flex comes with three pre-set equalization modes: Signature, Balanced, and Bass Boost. Thankfully, you’re not going to need a mobile app to cycle through these three modes. All the controls you’re going to need are integrated into the headphones themselves, so there’s little reason for you to pull out your smartphone in the middle of a hike.
7. Plantronics BackBeat FIT 500 On-Ear Headphones
| INFO |
DATA |
|---|---|
| Type |
Wireless on-ear headphones |
| Weight |
155 grams |
| Battery Life |
18 hours |
| Weather Resistance |
Sweat-resistant P2i nano-coating |
On-ear headphones isolate you from the outside world to a degree that no pair of earbuds can achieve. For those who prefer the immersion that only on-ear headphones can provide during their hikes, then we highly recommend the BackBeat FIT 500 from Plantronics.These wireless on-ear headphones come with a memory foam-lined headband and ear cups that help make them comfortable, keep a snug fit, and restrict outside noises. The ear cushions are lined with a leatherette cover that keeps the foam from getting soaked with your sweat. A treatment of sweat-resistant nano-coating permeates through the whole piece to keep it safe from corrosive damage.One of the more impressive aspects of the BackBeat FIT 500 is its 18 hours of total runtime on a single charge. This is great for those who are looking for low-maintenance headphones that you don’t necessarily need to charge daily when you are on a multi-day expedition. If you’d like to conserve your power even further, the BackBeat FIT 500 can also act as wired headphones with its standard 3.5-mm jack.The BackBeat FIT 500 is a bit on the heavy and bulky side, but that’s to be expected from a pair of on-ear headphones. They don’t fold down as well as other headphones, so packing them with the rest of your gear can prove to be challenging. There’s also the chance that the headband of your headphones can snap in the middle if you aren’t careful with handling them.
8. TBI Pro Upgraded True Wireless Earbuds
| INFO |
DATA |
|---|---|
| Type |
True wireless earbuds |
| Weight |
2.08 oz |
| Battery Life |
24 hours |
| Weather Resistance |
IPX7 waterproof and sweatproof |
These wireless earbuds from TBI Pro are some of the most popular today on account of how affordable it is and its surprising quality despite the modest price tag. Its design is certainly a bit on the tacky side, but this sure is a case where you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.The TBI Pro earbuds are true wireless earbuds, meaning that there is no cable running across them. Again, some people may be apprehensive because of the potential of these earbuds falling into some bush or river and getting lost forever. We’re glad to let you know that these earbuds are rock-solid in your ear. They come with different sizes of ear tips made from memory foam, helping keep them both snug and comfortable.Like other true wireless earbuds, this pair from TBI Pro comes with a charging case. What TBI Pro did differently was to integrate a 500 mAh battery into the charging case that charges the earbuds while they are stored. Thus, the case can charge your earbuds four to five times, making it possible to get up to 24 hours of continuous playtime. If you’re looking for a pair of low-maintenance earbuds, then this might be it.These true wireless earbuds will occupy hardly any space in your pack and are so light that you can just keep them in your pocket if you’re in the mood to listen to natural sounds in the middle of your hike. They are IPX7-rated, meaning that they are sufficiently resistant to sweat and moisture. They have no dust protection, though, so don’t just leave them lying around when not in use.
9. Mpow Flame Bluetooth Earphones
| INFO |
DATA |
|---|---|
| Type |
Wireless earbuds |
| Weight |
80 grams |
| Battery Life |
7 to 9 hours |
| Weather Resistance |
IPX7 waterproof and sweatproof |
Working with a tight budget doesn’t mean that you need to settle with a substandard pair of hiking headphones. These Flame wireless earbuds from Mpow are ridiculously cheap and yet are some of the most widely used headphones of casual hikers. It doesn’t exactly reinvent the technology or introduce any new features but rather executes the basic things perfectly.The Mpow Flame comes with four sets of silicone ear tips of different sizes and a single set that is made of memory foam. The earbuds also come with ergonomically curved hooks that will keep them anchored to your ear in case the ear tips are not snug enough. Rest assured, these earbuds are staying on your ear no matter how rough the hike gets.The IPX7 rating means that the Mpow Flame has a good amount of protection against water and sweat and can even withstand full-on splashes or submersion up to a meter. It does NOT have any dust or dirt protection, so you’ll need to put them away somewhere clean when you’re not using them.The continuous playtime of 7 to 9 hours on a single battery cycle isn’t impressive but is still substantial for a single hiking day. If you use these earbuds a lot during your hike, you’ll just have to remember to charge them every day once you reach your camp. The good thing is that it only takes 2 hours of charging to have these earbuds up to full capacity again.All in all, the Mpow Flame is a reliable and affordable pair of wireless earbuds. Neither its features nor its design stands out, but we can’t argue against the value for money that it offers. This is a great bang-for-your-buck purchase.
10. KuaiFit Sport Headphones
| INFO |
DATA |
|---|---|
| Type |
Wireless earbuds |
| Weight |
31.8 grams |
| Battery Life |
7 hours |
| Weather Resistance |
Sweat-resistant P2i nano-coating |
Much like any form of physical exercise, it may be useful for hikers and backpackers to collect data that can gauge their performance on the trail. Now, you can get a fitness tracker, or you can get the KuaiFit Sport Headphones, which has integrated fitness tracking features.The KuaiFit Sport Headphones are Indiegogo-funded wireless earbuds that come with an ear hook and interchangeable ear tips to ensure a perfect fit that will not waver in the middle of your hike. They are a bit larger and heavier than your usual wireless earbuds because of all the sensors it has, but no worries: these are still small enough to fit inside your pocket.The 7-hour battery life is fine, if not underwhelming. In the context of everything that these earbuds do simultaneously, though, it’s actually impressive that its battery lasts that long. It’s a heart rate monitor, fitness tracker, and vocal coach in one. It can even act as a standalone MP3 player with its built-in 8GB memory, which can also be loaded with different fitness plans from the KuaiFit marketplace.The major flaw of the KuaiFit headphones is that it attempts to do a bit too much, resulting in implementation that is inconsistent at best and outright buggy at times. There’s still potential for this product, though, so we’re going to classify it under “wait and see” for now.
Should you use hiking headphones?
There is plenty of debate on this topic. Old-timers may scoff at the idea of wearing headphones during a hike. After all, isn’t the entire point of going on a hike to enjoy the peace and tranquility that only nature can provide? However, there’s also no point in enforcing a “proper” way to hike, as long as you don’t violate the common etiquette on the trails.Before you decide to bring a pair of headphones on your next hike, it’s necessary to weigh the benefits and drawbacks. Is the desire to wear headphones on the trail worth the added inconvenience of having one in your pack?
Pros
1. Provides stamina and morale boostListening to music while doing any sort of physical activity, like lifting weights in the gym or running, has been scientifically proven to improve performance. Music, especially the type you like, can help distract you from pain or exhaustion, thus delaying fatigue and increasing your capacity for physical exertion.Studies have also shown that listening to your favorite music can help trigger the release of serotonin – the “feel-good” hormone. If listening to good music while on a hike puts you in a good mood, then who can possibly argue that you’re doing something wrong?2. Can double as earplugs when sleepingSounds from nature may be relaxing while on a hike, but they are a bit less desired when it’s time to go to bed. The sound of strong winds, animals, or other critters can be distracting enough to keep you up even when you long for the sweet embrace of sleep. Having headphones in tow, especially in-ear earplugs, is a good way to block out these sounds and help you sleep soundly.3. Helps pass the time while in campThe idea of ‘getting away from it all’ starts to lose its romantic appeal once you’ve spent several days to weeks on the trail. While it’s great to enjoy the tranquility of nature, every now and then, you will need to scratch that itch for some sort of stimulus. Just to break off the monotony, some lively music or a few interesting audiobooks can help pass a few hours while in camp.
Cons
1. Reduces situational awareness
The biggest argument against the use of headphones while hiking is the fact that it tends to block out the sounds from your environment. More than appreciating the sounds of nature, you may still want to keep all your senses alert should there be an unexpected hazard. You would not want to miss the telltale sounds of a rattlesnake or the buzzing of a wasp just because you were listening to some dance music.2. Adds more weight to your pack
Bringing a pair of headphones to your hike certainly does not go well with an ultralight backpacking mindset. Strictly speaking, headphones aren’t something that you will need, and they will add a non-negligible weight to your pack. Depending on which pair you get, you may also need to consider the volume of the headphones while packing.3. Consumes more power
Whether you get Bluetooth or wired headphones, playing any music or audio while on the trail will inevitably consume additional power. This means that you’ll need to charge your devices more often. In this regard, small and lightweight power banks have been a heaven-sent for hikers and backpackers. However, having your devices constantly running out power because of playing music will mean that your power banks will become depleted faster – or that you’ll simply need more of them. Between the inconvenience of having to charge these devices regularly and the extra weight of additional power banks, using headphones while hiking may prove to be more trouble than its worth.
How to pick the best headphones for hiking
Headphones are among the most popular consumer electronics, so there are A LOT of products that you can choose from. While many of these headphones should do well enough for hiking, your personal preference also comes into play when choosing which pair of headphones to get. The following are a few factors that you should consider when making your choice:Wires or wireless?It can be tempting to say that you should absolutely be going wireless when choosing headphones for hiking. After all, it affords you so much more freedom of movement while on the trail. Having a cable running from the headphones to your device also runs the risk of getting snagged on tree branches or vines. Yes, all of these issues can be resolved by going wireless.However, wireless devices are also notoriously heavy on power usage. Aside from typical wireless headphones only having an operating time between 6 to 12 hours, playing audio via Bluetooth will also drain your phone so much faster. This means that you’ll have more rechargeable devices to manage during your hike. For this reason alone, some people would rather be old-fashioned and go for wired headphones.Weather-resistance and durabilityYou never know when it’s going to rain on the trail, and your headphones can get pretty wet in the time it takes for you to stop walking, take them off, and stow them safely in your bag. Even on a dry day, your hiking headphones will be exposed to a lot of dirt and dust – the mortal enemies of any electronic device. There’s also the fact that you are going to sweat on these headphones.To make sure that the pair of headphones you get will last for more than a single hike, then you’ll need to get one that has good resistance from these factors – humidity, rain, sweat, and dust. You’ll also need to get a pair that can endure getting dropped or getting thrown around inside your pack.Fit and comfortIt goes without saying, but you need to get a pair of headphones that you can comfortably wear for several hours on end. Comfort starts with the right fit but extends way further. Do you feel more comfortable wearing in-ear earplugs, bone conduction earphones, on-ear headphones, or over-ear headphones? Getting headphones that fit you well also ensures that your headphones don’t fall off in the middle of the hike. Audio qualityThe audio quality of hiking headphones probably won’t be up to the standards of hardcore audiophiles, but it doesn’t mean that you’ll need to put up with low-fidelity or poorly mixed sound. While on the trail, we find that listening to music with a deep, rich bass really helps in setting the pace and improving our mood. Your mileage may vary, though, if you also intend to use your headphones for listening to music while at home or work.
Remember, always be safe
Should you be wearing headphones while hiking? That’s an argument that still persists among many hiking communities and online groups. Purists will say that you should be enjoying the serenity of nature while out hiking or backpacking. More progressive minds will say that no one has a monopoly on determining what is right or wrong behavior while you’re on the trail as long as you practice standard safety procedures and the LNT principle.The argument could go either way, but the good news for people who want to enjoy listening to their music or audiobooks on the trail is that there are a bunch of headphones out there that they can use. You’ve got earbuds that are wireless or wired, in-ear headphones, over-ear headphones, and bone conduction headphones – just take your pick.Our last piece of advice: you’re free to go hiking or backpacking the way you want to, but don’t neglect to pay attention to your surroundings. You may want to check our article 5 Lightweight Backpacking mistakes!
