For running with open ears, the top pick is the Shokz OpenRun Air 2, out Sep 16, 2026 at JPY 19,880. It weighs 26.4 g, is IP67 (rinsable) and lasts up to 10 hours. I compare four new models by waterproofing, battery and price.
The Shoe Nerd's top pick
If I had to pick one, I'd pick the OpenRun Air 2. Bone conduction leaves your ear canals open, so you hear bikes and cars coming from behind. On public roads, that is the top requirement. At 500 km a month, getting soaked in sweat becomes a daily thing. Among the four, only this one pairs rinsable IP67 with a 10-hour battery.
Key points
- IP67 (rinsable) belongs to the Air 2 and the earlier OpenRun. The Pro 2 and OpenFit Air 2 are IP55
- Battery order is Pro 2 (12 hours), then Air 2 (10 hours). The OpenFit Air 2 runs 8 hours on its own and 36 hours with the case
- The Jonathan model (Pro 2) is limited quantity, out Oct 23. The other three you can buy today
How should you choose running earphones that leave your ears open?
Three things decide it: leaving your ears open, surviving sweat and rain, and a battery that outlasts your run.
This list includes only releases from September 2026 on, or coming in Oct 2026. The previous-generation OpenRun is there as a baseline for the new models.
Some marathons have rules on earphones. Check the entry guidelines of the race you sign up for first.
Scroll the table sideways →
| Model | Type | Price | Bluetooth | Water resistance | Playback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenRun Air 2 | Bone conduction | JPY 19,880 | 6.0 | IP67 | 10 hours |
| OpenRun Pro 2 | Bone + air conduction | JPY 27,880 | 5.3 | IP55 | 12 hours |
| OpenFit Air 2 | Ear-hook | JPY 19,880 | 6.1 | IP55 | 8 hours |
| OpenRun (previous model) | Bone conduction | JPY 17,880 | 5.1 | IP67 | 8 hours |
#1 OpenRun Air 2 | Rinsable, with a 10-hour battery
Ears open, 26.4 g, IP67. Battery grew from 8 hours on the previous model to 10. The price is JPY 19,880, in the middle of the 4 models.
Cost per 1 hour of battery is 19,880 ÷ 10 = JPY 1,988, the lowest of the 4 models. You can wash it after a run, so the difference grows the more you use it.
One thing to watch: it can't be used for swimming. Details are in the OpenRun Air 2 article.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Shokz OpenRun Air 2 (bone conduction earphones)
Lowest price on Rakuten is JPY 19,880 (as of 10/20), ranging up to JPY 23,965 depending on the shop. Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten Ichiba#2 OpenRun Pro 2 | For fuller bass
The higher-end model adds an air-conduction bass driver to bone conduction. Battery is up to 12 hours, and 5 minutes of charging gives 2.5 hours.
On Oct 23, the JoJo collab Jonathan model goes on sale in limited quantity. The price is the same as the regular model, JPY 27,880.
One thing to watch: water resistance drops to IP55. It costs JPY 8,000 more than the Air 2 (27,880 − 19,880), so it suits people who will use the fuller bass. Details are in the Jonathan model article.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 (bone conduction earphones)
Lowest price on Rakuten is JPY 24,480 (as of 10/20), ranging up to JPY 27,880 depending on the shop. Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten Ichiba#3 OpenFit Air 2 | If you dislike a band behind the neck
True wireless, ear-hook, 7.2 g per ear. With the case it plays up to 36 hours. The price is JPY 19,880, the same as the Air 2.
It carries sound through the air, not bone conduction. Your ear canals stay open all the same. It suits people who want the lightness of having no band behind the neck.
One thing to watch: continuous playback on the earbuds alone is 8 hours, and water resistance stops at IP55. On long-run days, you put them back in the case to charge.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Shokz OpenFit Air 2 (ear-hook earphones)
Lowest price on Rakuten Ichiba: JPY 19,880 (as of 10/20). Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten Ichiba#4 OpenRun (previous model) | A baseline for comparison
Not a 2026 release; it is the generation before the Air 2. JPY 17,880, 26 g, same IP67. Battery was 8 hours, and quick charging gave 1.5 hours from 10 minutes.
The price gap to the Air 2 is JPY 2,000 (19,880 − 17,880). Whether to pay it comes down to the 2 hours of battery and the charging speed.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Shokz OpenRun (previous-generation bone conduction earphones)
Lowest price on Rakuten is JPY 14,580 (as of 10/20), ranging up to JPY 17,880 depending on the shop. Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten IchibaHow do the Rakuten review counts compare?
| Model | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| OpenRun Pro 2 | 147 reviews | 4.55 |
| OpenRun (previous model) | 67 reviews | 4.73 |
| OpenRun Air 2 | 15 reviews | 4.87 |
| OpenFit Air 2 | 8 reviews | 4.63 |
The higher counts are for the Pro 2 and the earlier OpenRun, which came out first. The two new models have 15 and 8 reviews five weeks after release. Those numbers will grow from here.
Which one suits you?
- You run on public roads or sweat a lot: OpenRun Air 2
- You want fuller sound or run long: OpenRun Pro 2
- You dislike a band behind the neck: OpenFit Air 2
- You want to keep the price down: OpenRun (previous model)
New releases are collected in the release calendar.
FAQ
What are the best running earphones that leave your ears open?
The Shokz OpenRun Air 2, out Sep 16, 2026 (JPY 19,880). It is bone conduction at 26.4 g, rated IP67, with up to 10 hours of battery.
Are bone conduction earphones waterproof for running?
It depends on the model. The OpenRun Air 2 and OpenRun are IP67 and can be rinsed under water. The OpenRun Pro 2 and OpenFit Air 2 are IP55. None can be used for swimming.
OpenRun Air 2 or OpenFit Air 2: which is better?
Pick the Air 2 for bone conduction and water resistance, and the OpenFit Air 2 if you want no band behind the neck. Both cost JPY 19,880.
Gear in this article
Ads and images: Rakuten IchibaSources
- Shokz official Japan: OpenRun Air 2
- Shokz announcement (Sep 16, 2026): OpenFit Air 2 and OpenRun Air 2
- Shokz official Japan: OpenRun Pro 2
- Shokz official Japan: OpenFit Air 2
- Shokz official Japan: OpenRun
- Shokz official Japan: product comparison
- Famitsu: Jonathan and Dio open-ear earphones coming from Shokz (Oct 2026)
