Disclaimer: I received a pair AfterShokz
Trekz Air to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about
becoming a
BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review
find and write race reviews.
I started running in 2012 with Couch to 5K on my iPhone,
which means that I started running with ear buds. I only ever wore the bud in my right ear and
wrapped the left bud around my strap, under my shirt, so that I might also hear
my surroundings. After I completed the
Couch to 5K training, I switched to music and ran with tunes until sometime
around 2015, when the left ear bud rusted out from sweat and rain. I threw them away and that was the end to
running with music. I listened to the
birds, cars, other runners, and my heavy breathing, during my runs.
As a BibRave Pro, I had the opportunity to try out the
AfterShokz Trekz Air. Many of the other
Pros commented how much they enjoyed using AfterShokz products and encouraged
me to try them out.
I was immediately impressed with the efficient and
user-friendly packaging the product arrived in.
The case was easy to open with a tab to pull and the accessories were in
simple-to-open clear plastic bags.
Included with the actual Trekz Air was a charger cord, ear plugs, a
rubber case and a two-year warranty card.
The set up was crazy easy and intuitive. Honestly, I did not even look at the
instructions for set up and still experienced successful set up (Note: I am not tech savvy). AudreySays provided great prompts for the
Bluetooth setup and battery-life reminders.
Since I haven’t ran with anything around my ear besides
my hat or sunglasses, I started wearing the AfterShokz Trekz Air while around
the house by listening to audio books to see if the bone conduction headphones
were going to feel comfortable. Side
note: You should consider reading or, in
my case, listening to “My Year of Running Dangerously” by Tom Foreman.
I started running with the Trekz Air on my three-mile
runs and then on my five-mile runs. They
were feeling good and I could listen to music, while also hearing traffic
around me (I live out in the country and rarely do cars pass). One Saturday morning, after my run, I was
even able to hear my child yelling for me from the basement, while I was
upstairs doing laundry and listening to a podcast.
While visiting Milwaukee, Wisconsin, I relied on the
ability to hear my unknown surroundings, while listening to music. I am not used to running in the city, where
there are lights, cars and other pedestrians.
I was also pleasantly surprised that the Trekz Air fit over my ear along
with my sunglasses and hat.
The rubber case has kept the Trekz Air safe and secure
with the charge cord and other accessories, while not in use. The coating of the Trekz Air allows for easy
wipe off, after long, sweaty runs. The
charge cord can easily be plugged into an outlet plug or computer for charging,
which is pretty quick. I charged them up
before I ran the Gazelle Girl Half Marathon and the charge was still strong enough for a one-mile remind the legs run two
days later. I have not ran the battery
down as AudreySays provides a good battery life reminder, during power on.
Discovery: By a
quick double tap on the button on the left ear, songs may be skipped.
I ran the Fifth Third 25K Riverbank, yesterday, and got
another PR (did I mention that I got a PR at the Gazelle Girl Half)! I cannot say that the Trekz Air helped me
reach better times, but the tunes keeping me moving sure didn’t hurt.
I learned that I can make phone calls with my Trekz Air
as I called my spouse seven miles in (my call was ignored).
I would be remiss if I did not mention another,
personal, benefit to the Trekz Air: It allows those with hearing loss to wear the Trekz Air like those who do not experience hearing loss. My smallest human is unable to wear ear
buds as he already has something in his ear to help him hear (his hearing aid) and there isn’t
enough room (or if there is enough room, it is uncomfortable). He is able to wear the Trekz Air just like
mom!
Get your pair of AfterShokz Trekz Air and receive $30 off
and a free trucker hat. To purchase or learn more, please visit here.
