AirPods 5 Replace Shokz for Long-Distance Running: Winning Fit and Sound, but Battery Is a Concern

Apple's AirPods 5 have managed to displace the Shokz OpenDots 2 as the go-to headphones for some runners, after about 50 miles (80 km) of testing in various conditions. The combination of a semi-open design, sound quality, and IP57 water resistance is said to deliver a more enjoyable running experience, though notes remain on battery life and ear fit.

The ideal running headphone is indeed hard to achieve: it must fit the ear, sound solid, still let the user hear the surroundings, and resist sweat. Bud-style earphones tend to excel at audio but block the ear, while open headphones offer ambient awareness but lose out on bass and volume. The AirPods 5 try to take a middle path with a semi-open design that does not fully plug the ear canal.

In testing, the AirPods 5 were judged more comfortable than in-ear models and more practical than headphones with ear hooks. They are lightweight and do not press on any particular part of the ear, so they can be worn for long-distance runs without discomfort. Interestingly, the author claims the AirPods 5 are safer to wear while running than the AirPods Pro 3, though this depends heavily on each user's ear shape.

The main advantage of the AirPods 5 lies in the balance between situational awareness and audio quality. The semi-open design lets runners hear their surroundings, especially when transparency mode is enabled. Two typical in-ear annoyances—wind rustle and the occlusion effect (the sound of footfalls)—are also gone. On top of that, the sound quality is more powerful with deeper bass than fully open headphones, and the volume is louder so it remains audible in a crowd.

"I could hear podcasts and music clearly even in the middle of the half marathon crowd in London," the author said in the review.

The active noise cancelling (ANC) feature on the AirPods 5 is also said to be the best in the open-headphone class, making it more useful on train journeys. The IP57 certification is a meaningful upgrade from previous models that were only IPX4 or IP54. Even so, users are still advised not to submerge the device, but at least resistance to sweat and rain is better assured. The case, which is also IP57-rated, makes it easy to store in a pocket or running belt without worrying about damage.

Unfortunately, the small size of the AirPods 5 goes hand in hand with shorter battery life. With ANC or transparency mode on, the battery lasts only about five hours, and 22 hours total with the case. Compare that with the Shokz OpenDots 2, which offer 10 hours and 40 hours total. Even so, the AirPods 5 charge very quickly, so it is not a major problem for runners who do not cover ultra distances.

The biggest issue with the AirPods 5 is ear fit. If the user's ear shape is not right, the earphones can fall out while running and all the other advantages become moot. As an alternative, third-party silicone wings are available, but they must be removed when inserting the earphones into the case. For those who need more grip, hook-style headphones such as the Shokz OpenFit or the clip design of the OpenDots 2 may be a safer choice.

For runners in Indonesia, where traffic is dense and the weather hot and humid, the transparency feature and water resistance are the main selling points. The AirPods 5 could be an attractive choice for running in city parks or on quiet tracks, as long as ear size supports it. However, for those who often run on busy roads or take part in long-distance trail runs, battery life and grip security need careful consideration.

Going forward, competition in running headphones will only get tighter with the arrival of new models offering longer battery life and more adaptive designs. Will Apple answer the criticism about battery life in the next generation, or will runners have to adapt to the existing compromises? Time will tell, but for now the AirPods 5 have shown that balancing awareness and audio quality is not impossible.