Remember – Last month I almost got hit by a truck during my run?! It was light out and I was wearing bright clothes, but the truck didn’t see me and I didn’t hear it coming at all. Scary!
That same day someone from Panasonic contacted me about trying their Open Ear Headphones. They are specially designed to allow you to hear your music but also be able to hear what’s going on around you. This is very important for outdoor exercise – especially as the days get shorter and we’re out when it’s dark!
Their timing was perfect since I was still a little shaken from my near death experience and I gladly accepted the offer.
They sent me an awesome care package with the headphones plus other safety running equipment! RER will live to run another day 
Bonus: They arrived in PINK!!! Didn’t expect that and totally love it. (They also come in white and yellow – bright colors for extra visibility.)
I’m used to the little ear buds that fit inside your ear but these are designed to transmit sound while laying outside your ear. They are light weight and comfortable too. I was afraid they would bug me since I’m not used to the wrap around headphones, but I didn’t even notice a difference!
I am a big big fan of doing things to be safe while running solo – but I never want to NOT run or discourage people from running. I dig that this is a great idea so we can listen to music and still pay attention to our surroundings!!
Vegas doesn’t seem to care about my new open ear headphones, but I know he wants me to be safe deep down in his lil cat heart.
You can check out the Panasonic Open Ear Headphones here. I think they’d make a great Christmas gift for the runner or biker or outside exerciser in your life.
You can also follow @PanaAdventure and #OpenYourEars for more!
Question: Do you keep your music low when you’re working out?
What do you do to be safe while exercising??
Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Panasonic. All opinions are my own. Be safe out there.
I like my music real loud, real loud… Okay my only question is if you can hear the music when you aren’t wearing them. If I am at the gym, I wouldn’t want someone next to me to hear my naughty rap music.
I usually run on sidewalks and in parks where I don’t have to worry about traffic, but when I do run through the city, I keep one earbud out
My first running year, I was always running late at night so I never listen to any music. The only time I run with music is on the treadmill or I go insane after 10 min .
If i’m outside i definitely keep the music lower than when I’m at the gym. I don’t want to get run over!
I don’t listen to music while I run; just not used to it rather than safety issue. I’ve heard of a few friends who had near accidents while listening to music on their runs. Scary!
This also happened to me this year…almost get run over by a car. It was pretty scary. And I was wearing probably the brightest running outfit I own. I am going to have to check out these headphones. Are they costly?
I try to remember to turn the music down when I’m around traffic but sometimes forget. I almost got hit today by a truck…actually felt it graze my leg, scary!
Those headphones are super cute as is Vegas
That is scary! Glad you’re okay!!
wow I am really jealous!
My cats like to lick the plastic of everything that comes in plastic.
That is funny! Vegas doesn’t lick plastic but does other weird things.
I walk around San Francisco day in and day out with my music blaring (mostly because I am going over the music and moves I will be teaching in my group fitness classes), so it makes me be much more aware of what’s happening around me at intersections. I always stop and follow the pedestrian lights, no matter if other people are going or not. Be careful out there!!!
Yes! Good reminder – don’t go just because other people are.
Most in the ear or around the ear headphones don’t fit me (I’ve even tried Yur buds that are supposed to fit everyone, the rep was shocked). I rock my behind the head earphones and they’re getting harder to find! I use the bone conduction mp3 player for swimming, but it doesn’t work that well out of the water. I wonder how these would differ from that…
I don’t know if my ears are a weird size or something but I cannot seem to wear those type of headphones unless I have something over my ears holding them on, which would defeat the purpose of allowing sounds in. I do keep my music at a lower temperature when on roads or in the woods (especially in the woods because I am terrified of wild animals….not like I am sure that hearing them coming would really help the situation). When I’m on a paved path, I tend to turn up the volume.
I gave up using music during runs 2 years ago after a close call with a speeding car. Besides the added safety benefits it also gives me time to have a conversation with the voices in my head 🙂
I like listening to my ‘head movies’ a lot too 🙂
I keep my music pretty low when I’m running. I get too paranoid if I can’t hear things going on around me. Lately though I have been running without music, and I’m really liking it!
I generally don’t run when it’s dark out or in the sketchier parts of town. A healthy level of paranoia is good for you 🙂
These seem like a great option if you are at all concerned about hearing loss, too. Could you tell how loud the music seemed to be for other people (i.e. will it bother people if I’m listening with these on the train)?
I’ve actually decided I prefer running outside without music. I feel like I get to experience my surroundings a little more, hear the sounds of nature … and traffic. The added safety factor is just a bonus, but a good one!
Now treadmills, that’s another story. I’m all about the music / tv / audiobooks etc.
Those seem nice, especially for running in areas where I need to be more aware. Could you still hear your music over the noise outside?
I usually put just one earbud in my ear when I run/walk outside by myself. I get creeped out not being able to hear my surroundings! These are a cool idea, too!
I do this too! Sometimes use speakerphone mode.
Those headphones are super cute! I wish they came in a wireless version though!
They do have a blue tooth version! It’s more expensive though, but yeah still the same cute design and concept.
I run with one ear bud in and one out. The one that’s out i just tuck under my bra strap so it doesn’t bounce around the entire time. This has been the best way for me to run and listen to music without being sealed off to the sounds around me. =)
Was it distracting to listen to music but also be able to hear the sounds outside around you? That would be my only concern. I’m glad that you will no longer be at such a nigh risk of cars hitting you. No one likes that.
No it wasn’t distracting. It’s subtle but helpful.