I use a pair of white Sony earbuds (MDR-EX71SL when I run. I had previously tried one of those "sports" headphones that go behind-the-head and hang off the top of your ears but over long distances (45 mins or so) my ears starts to get sore. Earbuds are the most comfortable IMO. But watch where you run as they completely cut out the surrounding noise; dangerous if you're running next to traffic.

http://www.minidisc.com.au/product_reviews_info.php?products_id=193&reviews_id=414

I've been through a lot of headphones for exercise, and I've definitely found the solution. I've even had to get my Dad and Fiancee a pair. These are ultra lightweight, they stay put, MUCH more comfortable than earbuds if you don't like things sticking in you ears, and they're cheap!

http://www.circuitcity.com/detail.jsp?c=1&b=g&u=c&qp=0361736183619&bookmark=bookmark_0&oid=55437&catoid=-8743&m=0

Best,
DAN

In-the-ear earbuds always fall out for me, so I had to do something with a headband. I love the Nike headphones I picked up @ BestBuy. Best of both worlds: stay put, but don't look like earmuffs. The "behind the head" design is nice. Don't knock it till ya try it!

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/ref=br_1_10/601-5302309-0139335?%5Fencoding=UTF8&asin=B00008VIX2

Craig,

This set from Sony has a spring mechanism which almost locks onto your ears. If it fell off my ear it might take a chunk or two of ear lobe with it. The tightness is something you have to get used to, but it's great for the treadmill at the gym.

-Bob

Bob...aren't the ones you're linking to the same ones shown in the blog entry?? :-)

Thanks to everybody for the suggestions...much appreciated!

Doh! Just ignore me.

Mine is version of this version of the Sony headphones from a year and a half ago. Can't find the right link. It's got the same color side panels, but the earpiece and side look completely different.

Hi Craig

I run an average of 20km/week and have been through several sets of headphones. In my opinion you have to get behind the neck headphones if you want them to stay on for any length of time.

http://www.georeviews.com/Sony-MDR-G72LP-Street-Style-Headphones--Silver_L5613/

These have excellent sound quality and are reasonably comfotable but will start to hurt your ears after about half an hour of running.

http://www.georeviews.com/Nike-HJ050-Sport-Audio-stereo-headphones-PSA-Duro_L315631/

Very good sound quality, the main thing i liked was that the cord comes from the centre of the band so you can run it down your back and into your pocket. Also the fact that they are water resistant is pretty cool, i have been running in some very heavy storms and they were fine. The major downside is that the part that contacts with your ear is rubber so initially your ears will hurt while wearing and you will need to adjust them when going on long runs.

http://www.georeviews.com/Aiwa-HP-JS35-Stereo-Headphones-With-In-Line-Volume-Control--Swoops-Style-Black_L5645/

Once again very good sound quality, i like how these are sort of ear buds but they also have a neck band. They are very light so you don't notice you are wearing them and they have also survived some very heavy rain.
My favourites.

Hope that helps

Daniel

I run 21+ miles a week (~35km) and I've killed 2 pairs of "water-resistant" Sony MDR-A35 over-head in-ear design headphones in the past 6 months due to sweat so I'm looking for headphones I won't be replacing after a month.

Those Sony earbuds MDR-EX71SL sound good, but I'm a bit concerned that they're just earbuds and could still fall out. I'm ordering the MDR-EX81LP today:
http://www.minidisco.com/mdr-ex81lp-w.html

like the MDR-EX71SL but with a over-the-ear design, best of both worlds.

I've posted an update to this thread with a pair of headphones I've been using for a while now:
http://www.gearbits.com/archives/2005/06/headphones_for_2.html

Hey there, i use Sony 715SL In-Ear headphones for most stuff, but i found that the one closest to the cord always falls off after about 20m! bloody agitating, so i picked up some Sennheiser PMX-70's, which are like normal earphones that sit just outside your ear canal (not in ear) and have a headband going round the back. I find that they are the most comfy and reliable earphones for my running, and they last ages, ive had these for like, 1.5 years and the cables in perfect nick! Buy some! even though i am aware the guy who filed this page got a new pair neway, this is the first thing that comes up in google for earphones for running!

This is a post for runners, athletes, or anyone else who is looking for some earbuds that don't fall out whie running. If you have ever said the word "audiophile" you should just slap yourself and stop reading.

I looked all over to find some ear buds that wouldn't come out while I was running. No one really answers this question. Here's the answer: The Koss Sparkplug is great for running. Even if your ears look like shrek, these will do the trick. I wouldn't use them for contact sports because they have a rigid center tube which might be bad if you took a crack on the head (I use the sony over the ear phones for snowboarding) but for everything else, they're fantastic.

People complain that they have a lot of bass. Hell ya they do! And as you're tearing into the turns listening to "push it to the limit" you'll be glad for it. Again, if you're sitting in your ikea apartment sipping chardonnay and listening to yanni, you should have already slapped yourself and stopped reading. For the rest of us, get the sparkplug - you won't be diappointed.