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The 10 Best sports earphones
Whether you’re hitting the gym to the Boss you or pounding the pavements to J-Lo, we’ve got the perfect pair for the job.
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These are ideal for city-dwellers.
Why? Instead of transmitting sounds through the ear canal to your eardrum, these wraparound phones use your cheekbones to send the music straight down the line to your inner ear, so you can still hear traffic noises. They're water-resistant, too.
£69.95, amazon.co.uk
2. Sennheiser Adidas CX 685
Light, comfy and sweat-resistant, the in-ear CX 685s excel at blocking out the din of the gym. Ideal for cross-trainer and cardio work and with a none-too-shabby level of bass, too. They can be rinsed under a tap without causing damage.
£37.50, amazon.co.uk
3. Bowers & Wilkins C5
The sound comes clear and rich from these British-made phones, and with their loop system they won't fall out of your ear. For serious musos and those with an eye for design, too.
£149.95, amazon.co.uk
4. Bose SIE2i
The SIE2i's silicon "wings" (each pack comes with three pairs, in different sizes) fit snugly into the upper crease of your ear, meaning you won't have to worry about them tumbling out. Sound quality is almost symphonic, yet you can still hear ambient noise as they sit slightly above the ear canal.
£129.95, amazon.co.uk
5. Iqua Beat Wireless with Microphone, Pedometer and Heart Monitor
Some headphones promise you your own personal concert but these throw a personal trainer into the bargain, too. As well as having good sound quality, they also measure your heart rate, distance travelled, speed, and calories burnt, giving you real-time advice as you go.
£90, johnlewis.com
6. Philips Sports Ear Hook
Adjustable "ear clips" keep these in place, but don't worry – they're not as tortuous as they sound. The sound quality is good, especially when you consider the price. And as well as being sweat-resistant, they are made with an anti-bacterial agent which helps to keep them hygienic.
£19.99, amazon.co.uk
7. Sennheiser Adidas PMX 685i
Unlike the other Sennheiser in the list, these use a lightweight neckband to ensure they don't fall from your lugholes. They're unusually durable, water-resistant and rinsable, and give high-quality sound, without totally blocking out ambient noise.
£49.90, amazon.co.uk
8. AKG K 326
These, the manufacturers claim, are ergonomically designed to slot behind the ears and stay in place even when you are "jogging, skating or climbing" – and they pretty much live up to their billing. They feel light on the ears and have an in-line mic, too, so you can answer your phone while hurtling down the road.
£59.95, amazon.co.uk
9. Sony MDR-AS20J Active Series
Considering these are just over a tenner, the sound quality is surprising (the result of extra-large drivers). Plus, they use a looping system to encircle the ear, which means they are fairly stable. A decent budget option.
£17, amazon.co.uk
10. Yurbuds Ironman Inspire Duro
These earphones have silicon caps that twist into your ears, so slippage is kept to a minimum. And the cloth cord means you can run in the summer without a T-shirt and not get friction burns.
£33.59, amazon.co.uk
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