In this article I will discuss the best headphones for hiking. I will cover headphones and earbuds – both wired and Bluetooth version. Before making my selection I considered the following factors: price, comfort, durability, fit, ease of use, battery life, sweat-resistance, etc.
What to look for in headphones for hiking
Let me start by saying that you don’t absolutely need wireless headphone. Yes there is an obvious benefit, but there is also a downside to this. If you aren’t really bothered by the presence of a cable, I would actually make an argument that a wired headphone would be the better choice.
On a personal note: I don’t have anything against wireless headphones, but I see so many websites/blogs claiming that you absolutely need these type of headphones if you want to go hiking and this is simply not true. Sometimes I get the feeling that these sites simply want to sell you a product instead of giving you all -and the correct- information. I get a bit frustrated when I get that feeling and it motivates me to write an article, so here we are.
Other important considerations are pretty obvious: sound quality, price, comfort, but specifically for hiking, robustness and durability become really important. Also -as always- we care about the weight of the product. This is especially important for the longer distance hikers. If you do decide to go for a wireless headphone you might also care about how much power they consume (once again, mainly important for multiday hikers), as it is another device that you will have to keep charged. Last but not least -and many people might not think about this one- how “sweat resistant” are these headphones/earbuds?
Best Bluetooth headphones for hiking
Let’s start with the best Bluetooth/wireless headphones for hiking. The main benefit of using Bluetooth headphones while hiking or backpacking is pretty obvious. There are no wires that are constantly being annoying. The drawback is that Bluetooth headphones tend to be a bit more expensive than the wired alternatives + you will have another electronic device that needs to be charged, so don’t forget your power banks.
1. 1 MORE Stylish True Wireless Earbuds
Not only are the 1 MORE earbuds durable, comfortable and provide a decent sound quality, they also look pretty darn good. Equipped with a heavy bass delivery system, they represent comfort and quality music delivery. They are an excellent choice for hikers and fitness enthusiasts as they are sweat resistant and can withstand most vigorous outdoor activities.
Let’s take a look at the most important features:
- The earbuds are pebble-shaped enabling a perfect fit into the ear, thanks to an O-hooks feature. This is what enables the earbuds to stay in place even while running, hiking or rock-climbing.
- Behind each earbud is a button that enables you to switch between music and receiving calls.
- Fitted with each earbud housing, is a lateral antenna that enhances Bluetooth connectivity while shutting out any signal interference.
- The battery life is outstanding, depending on the volumes you subject the earbuds to. For example, for constant high volumes of up to 75dB output, the batteries will last for around five and a half hours. But for lower volumes, less than 75dB, they can last up to seven and a half hours.
- Connectivity is relatively easy as the 1 MORE earbuds use standard Bluetooth procedures. They also have an option where you can either connect one earbud if you need to leave one ear free, or you can connect both. They operate via Bluetooth 5.0 and also support aptX and AAC Bluetooth codecs. The connectivity range is 10 meters, and you can choose from four colours; gold, green, pink and black.
All in all, these earbuds are great for hiking and backpacking because of the amazing fit and sweat resistance. Additionally the battery life is pretty good as well. I also think it’s a product that’s in the “sweet price spot”. You don’t want to bring a super expensive product out on the trail, as it is a lot more likely to get damaged in these conditions then when you are simply sitting at home. But they also aren’t so cheap that you have to worry about the quality.
Are they worth the money? I would definitely say yes! I got a really good “value for money feeling” here.
Should you buy these earbuds for your next hiking trip? My answer would be a very clear yes!
Unless you check one of these boxes:
- You really prefer headphones over earbuds
- You are looking for very high quality sound (other budget range)
- You are on a very tight budget (probably
The latest price can be found on amazon: 1 MORE Stylish True Wireless Earbuds.
2. Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
If you are looking for headphones that merge class, wireless operation and noise-cancelling properties, then you cannot go wrong with Bose 35 II. The headphones are the improved version of the Bose 35 and integrate Google’s voice assistant.
Do you need cancelling when hiking? It really depends on the situation and your personal preference. For example, in the mountains the wind can get really loud and noise cancelling might be preferable. However, some people might be more comfortable with the idea that they are not completely cut-off from the outside world noise, once again, a personal preference.
These are the headphones I would recommend for hikers who are truly looking for a high-quality headphone. The quality of the music + noise cancellation is excellent, but that’s not the only reason why I am recommending this headphone. The materials that are used for making this headphone are solid and the overall durability/built-quality is pretty good as well. A lot of high-quality headphones are meant to be used in the studio and are not really suited to used outdoors. However, the Bose QuietComfort performs amazing in both situations!
Features:
- The Google voice assistant is the highlight of the Bose 35 II headphones and picks voice commands with accuracy and speed even in noisy crowded places.
- Before you start using the headphones, you will need to download the Bose app which comes with the majority of features including; Google assistant button, noise cancellation, remapping, upgrading firmware and many more. The app is user-friendly, and connectivity is via Bluetooth 4.1,
- In addition, the sound is well balanced and the headphones are a comfortable and light fit, weighing only 10.9 oz. The battery life is 20 hours.
Something like noise cancellation might not seem like a big deal for hiking. However, if you are out hiking on a very windy day – I’m sure you’ll change your mind! Therefore, I’m a big supporter for noise cancellation when looking for a good hiking headphone.
If you think this is an amazing headphone, but you would like something more budget-friendly, keep reading – options for every type of hiker will be covered in this article!
The cheapest price can usualy be found on amazon: Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Bluetooth Headphones.
3. Letsfit Bluetooth Headphones
Loaded with a host of features to enhance workouts, hiking and other sweaty activities, Letsfit has a high-performance rate due to numerous extras in its design. This is especially remarkable if you look at the price – this product is truly quite a bit cheaper than I expected.
If you are okay with the fact that these are not 100% wireless (the 2 earbuds are connected with a wire) these would definitely be a good option for you.
Features:
- The earbuds come with a compact case that can comfortably fit in your pocket, including a portable charging case. The high fidelity stereo sound that comes with the earbuds is guaranteed to provide more momentum to any activity.
- Letsfit earbuds come with a nano-coating that is water and sweat resistant, ensuring that you can go about your activities without fear.
- For convenience and control, they are fitted with a one-touch smart button that controls music, phone calls and coordinates all activities between the earbuds and your phone.
- To ensure a perfect fit, the earbuds come with three different settings to guarantee a tight and secure fit.
- The battery life is commendable and can last up to 20 hours on a full charge. Also, 2 hours of charge gives you 8 hours of non-stop audio. You can follow the performance of your battery power as it is displayed on your phone’s screen.
- For a better-uninterrupted flow of music experience, Letsfit comes with noise cancelling technology that also applies when taking or making calls.
Overall, I still think the 1 MORE Stylish True Wireless Earbuds have a couple of advantages over these headphones. But, taking into account the price, these headphones absolutely blew my mind.
If you want a good bang for the buck earbud that can be used for hiking – this is it!
For the latest price you can consult the official website: Letsfit Bluetooth Headphones.
4. AKG Noise Cancelling Headphones N60NC
AKG headphones are designed with effective and reliable noise cancelling features in mind. That is why Lufthansa Airlines chose the headphones for use on their flights.
Features:
- Portability is one of the selling points of the AKG headphones as they are foldable, and come in a flat design. They can easily fit into any bag thanks to their compact carrying case.
- The noise cancellation feature is in a class of its own and you can listen to music, make or take calls even in noisy environments, comfortably.
- The battery life is superb and can support up to 15 hours of playback with both active noise cancellation and Bluetooth on. With only noise cancellation on, you can enjoy music for up to 30 hours.
- AKG headphones allow you to listen to music at low volumes without outside noise interference and with a smooth balance of both highs and lows.
This is the headphone I would recommend to hikers that love the Bose QuietComfort, but think it’s just a bit too expensive to justify. The AKG Headphones are not only quite a bit cheaper, but they are also super portable and compact.
Perfect for hikers who care about budget as well as sound quality!
Interested in this product? You can buy it/get more information from amazon: AKG Noise Cancelling Headphones N60NC.
Best wired headphones for hiking
Now it’s time to discuss some of the best wired headphones for hiking. As I already mentioned, these type of headphones will generally be cheaper than the wireless alternatives. As long as you think about “cable management” when hiking – the wires shouldn’t be that much of an issue.
1. OneOdio Adapter-free Closed-Back Headphones
OneOdio is actually a pretty popular budget-friendly option for beginner DJ’s because it produces a balanced sound, controlled bass and reproduces all the music dynamics.
However, they also make a great option as a budget hiking headphone. They are definitely not as good as the other headphones covered in this article, but they make an awesome option for those of you who are on a super tight budget. The main argument against using these headphones would be that they are not very robust, you would have to make sure to treat them with caution. However, if you could do that, this is probably the best sound quality for the money you are going to find.
Features:
- The headphones come with 50mm speaker unit drivers fitted with a neodymium magnet. This allows the sound to be produced with powerful bass and crisp highs.
- The well-padded ear cushions provide a comfortable wear, even for those long hikes or studio sessions; while also providing noise isolation capabilities. For convenience, the headband is adjustable and can stretch to enable you to find the right angle to fit the headphones.
- The ear cups can rotate in different directions and allow you to use one ear only if the need arises. When on the move, you can fold the headphones flat and place them in the designed pouch.
- OneOdio headphones are versatile and are compatible with iPhones, Android and many other electronic devices.
If you want to know exactly how cheap these headphones are (prices are constantly changing) – take a look on amazon: OneOdio Adapter-free Closed-Back Headphones.
2. Avantree E171 Sports Earbuds
Designed for sports and other vigorous activities, Avantree earbuds are made to fit comfortably to prevent them from falling off. With three adjustable sizes to choose from, it ensures that they can fit all ear sizes.
These are super budget-friendly and have everything you need for a hiking trip.
Features:
- The wrap around ergonomic design of the earbuds ensures a secure, tight and comfortable fit, while the silicone earbuds fit snuggly into the ear.
- For better clarity when on calls, Avantree earbuds are fitted with a built-in microphone which works well even when in the middle of noisy activities.
- An in-line control ensures that you can play and pause music, adjust volume, skip tracks, call the last dialled number or activate voice assistant.
- The earphones are fitted with a dual-purpose clip that also acts as a splitter to make up for the short distance between the two earbuds.
- Avantree headphones are compatible with all 3.55mm devices ranging from iPhones, iPads, to computers.
This is basically the wired alternative for the Letsfit Bluetooth Headphones. The Avantree earbuds are a bit cheaper but to be honest they are both very affordable.
As usual you can consult amazon for more information about the product: Avantree E171 Sports Earbuds.
3. Sennheiser HD 598 Closed-Back Headphones
Designed for audio enthusiasts looking for quality sound and comfort, the Sennheiser headphones are in a class of their own.
If you are looking for a high-quality wired headphone – this is the one to go for.
Features:
- Made from lightweight and compact plastic, the headphones make a comfortable fit, especially if you have to wear them for long periods. The earcups are well-padded and comfortable and are equipped with hinges that fold, making storage and portability convenient. The ear design is also spacious with room to manoeuvre.
- The active noise cancelling feature is awesome and combines a closed-back design equipped with sound dampening earbuds. This isolates the listener from outside interference without using up too much battery power which is the norm with other headphones.
- The sound quality is well balanced with neutral bass reproduction and crisp, clear highs.
They are not specifically designed for outdoor activities like hiking, but they still do a pretty good job as a hiking headphone. Lot’s of people have used them for both indoor and outdoor use and have no complaints whatsoever.
Also, noise cancellation is pretty awesome when it’s very windy outside.
Once again, amazon usually has the best price: Sennheiser HD 598 Closed-Back Headphones.
Can I take my cheap/old earbuds/headphones on a hiking trip?
Definitely yes! As long as they are comfortable and they don’t fall out of your ears the entire time, you are good to go. To be honest, I didn’t include wired earbuds that don’t wrap around the ears because they simply keep falling out for me. However, I know that it might work for some people.
If you aren’t sure, simply test it out. If your earbuds/headphones are comfortable enough to wear on a run, they are comfortable enough to wear on a hiking trip.
Remember, if you are looking for information online, people will always have to intention to make you buy something, don’t fall for the trap!
Conclusion
There are plenty of options when it comes to finding a good headphone for hiking. There are solid Bluetooth options as well as wired headphones and earbuds. It was pretty hard for me to choose a personal favourite because it depends so much on the situation and the personal preference of the hiker.
Do you have any experience with a headphones that was covered in this article? Do you have any other recommendations when it comes to headphones for hiking? Feel free to let me know in the comments below!