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Shokz Headphones
For Swimrun


If you’re shopping for Shokz headphones for swimrun training, the right choice depends less on sound quality alone and more on where you’ll use them most: in the pool, on the run, or across both in swimrun.

Shokz now offers a broad range of open-ear models, from dedicated waterproof MP3 swimmers to premium Bluetooth running headphones and newer lifestyle earbuds, and each serves a very different athlete.

In this review, we look at six Shokz products:

  • OpenRun Pro 2, 
  • OpenSwim Pro, 
  • OpenSwim, 
  • OpenRun Air 2, 
  • OpenDots 2, 
  • OpenDots Air, 

 - with a close look at Bluetooth and MP3 capability, water resistance, fit, and real-world suitability for swimming, running, and swimrun so you can find the model that best matches your training needs.


Shokz Headphones For Swimrun

Shokz OpenRun Pro 2


1) Shokz OpenRun Pro 2
Best use: premium running and general land training

Capability
- Bluetooth: Yes
- MP3 storage/playback: No 
- Water rating: IP55 sweat/water resistant
- Swimming: No
- Running: Yes, excellent fit
- Swimrun: No, not a true swim model

Review
OpenRun Pro 2 looks like the best pure running-focused model in this group if you want Shokz’s higher-end bone conduction style without needing onboard MP3.

The key advantage is that it is built for road and trail training, not the pool. IP55 is enough for sweat, rain, and hard workouts, but Shokz explicitly positions it as not for swimming.

Battery life is listed at up to 12 hours, and weight is about 30.3 g, which is reasonable for long runs. 

Strengths
- Long battery life for marathon training blocks
- Designed for sports use with open-ear situational awareness
- Better fit case than clip-on earbuds for steady running

Weaknesses
- No swim suitability
- No verified onboard MP3, so it depends on your phone/watch Bluetooth connection
- IP55 is workout-safe, not immersion-safe

Verdict
If your focus is running first, this is one of the strongest picks here.

Click here to go direct to the Shokz website for more details and to purchase.

Shokz OpenSwim Pro


2) Shokz OpenSwim Pro
Best use: swimrun and multisport, also the best all-around swimming choice if you want both MP3 and Bluetooth

Capability
- Bluetooth: Yes
- MP3 storage/playback: Yes, 32 GB integrated storage
- Water rating: IP68
- Swimming: Yes
- Running: Yes
- Swimrun: Yes, excellent

Review
OpenSwim Pro is the most versatile model in this list for athletes who move between water and land. It supports both Bluetooth and onboard MP3, which matters because Bluetooth does not work reliably underwater, while MP3 does. That makes it ideal for pool sessions, open-water practice, and swimrun transitions.

Shokz lists up to 9 hours in Bluetooth mode and 6 hours in MP3 mode, and official pages describe it as submersible up to 2 meters for 2 hours. 

Strengths
- The only clearly verified dual-mode swim-capable model here
- True waterproofing for pool use
- MP3 solves the underwater Bluetooth problem
- Better crossover choice than a dedicated swim-only model

Weaknesses
- MP3 battery runtime is shorter than Bluetooth runtime
- For dry-land running only, audio refinement may not be as appealing as run-specialized models

Verdict
This is the best pick for anyone doing both swimming and running, especially swimrun.

For best price and availability click here.

Shokz Headphones For Swimrun

Shokz OpenSwim


3) Shokz OpenSwim
Best use: dedicated swimming

Capability
- Bluetooth: No verified Bluetooth; official page presents it as MP3-only
- MP3 storage/playback: Yes
- Water rating: IP68
- Swimming: Yes
- Running: Limited
- Swimrun: Only if you’re fine without Bluetooth on the run

Review
OpenSwim is the specialist swimmer’s model. It is built for the water first, with IP68 protection and submersion up to 2 meters for 2 hours. The tradeoff is flexibility: compared with OpenSwim Pro, it lacks verified Bluetooth and is much less convenient on land if you want streaming, podcasts, or calls from a phone or watch.

Shokz compares it with OpenSwim Pro and notes OpenSwim Pro has 9 hours Bluetooth/6 hours MP3, while OpenSwim has up to 8 hours of playback. 

Strengths
- Purpose-built for swimmers
- MP3-only design avoids underwater wireless issues
- Very strong choice for pool laps and straightforward swim workouts

Weaknesses
- Much less versatile for running and daily use
- Not ideal for swimrun because it lacks verified Bluetooth crossover convenience

Verdict
If you are mainly a swimmer and don’t care about streaming on land, this is still a very sensible option.

Read more and get the best price and availability here.

Shokz OpenRun Air 2


4) Shokz OpenRun Air 2
Best use: lightweight running value pick

Capability
- Bluetooth: Yes, official search results show Bluetooth 6.0
- MP3 storage/playback: No verified MP3
- Water rating: IP67
- Swimming: No
- Running: Yes, very good
- Swimrun: No for true race use involving immersion

Review
OpenRun Air 2 looks like a smart pick for runners who want a lighter, smaller-feeling headset than older OpenRun-style options. Shokz describes it as IP67 dustproof and water-resistant, but that does not make it a swim headphone.

It weighs 26.4 g and offers up to 10 hours of battery life, making it one of the better comfort-first options for daily mileage. 

Strengths
- Lighter than OpenRun Pro 2
- IP67 is strong for sweat, rain, and harsh weather running
- Good battery for routine training

Weaknesses
- Not for swimming
- No verified onboard MP3
- Likely less premium overall than Pro 2

Verdict
For many runners, this may be the sweet spot between comfort, weight, and price.

CLICK HERE to go to the Shokz website for best price.

Shokz Headphones For Swimrun

Shokz OpenDots 2


5) Shokz OpenDots 2
Best use: casual active use, not serious swimming or swimrun

Capability
- Bluetooth: Yes
- MP3 storage/playback: No verified MP3
- Water rating: IP57
- Swimming: No
- Running: Okay, but not my first sports pick
- Swimrun: No

Review
OpenDots 2 is a clip-on open-ear earbud format rather than the traditional Shokz behind-the-head sport frame. Official Shokz search snippets say it is rated IP57 and meant to handle sweat and rain well.

That makes it fine for general workouts, commuting, and light runs, but I would not rank it above the dedicated OpenRun series for secure, repetitive endurance movement. 

Strengths
- More lifestyle-friendly and compact
- Better water resistance than OpenDots Air
- Good for gym, commuting, hybrid daily use

Weaknesses
- Not made for swimming
- No verified MP3
- Clip-on format is less proven for hard run sessions than sport-band models

Verdict
A flexible everyday option, but not the best specialist sports choice in this list.

Read more and purchase here!

Shokz OpenDots Air


6) Shokz OpenDots Air
Best use: lifestyle wear and light workouts

Capability
- Bluetooth: Yes
- MP3 storage/playback: No
- Water rating: IP55
- Swimming: No
- Running: Light to moderate use only
- Swimrun: No

Review
OpenDots Air is the most lifestyle-oriented model here. Shokz lists up to 9 hours playback and IP55 water resistance, with a very light 6.3 g per earbud format.

That makes it easy to wear casually and during lighter exercise, but it is clearly not intended for swimming, and I would choose a sport-band Shokz model for serious run training. 

Strengths
- Very light and portable
- Good for all-day wear
- Fine for easy runs, walking, commuting, gym circuits

Weaknesses
- Not for swimming
- No MP3
- Not as secure or sport-specialized as the OpenRun line

Verdict
Best seen as an everyday open-ear earbud, not a dedicated endurance-sport tool.

CLICK HERE for more information and to purchase.

Shokz Headphones For Swimrun

Compare and Contrast

Quick compare and contrast

Best for swimming:

1. OpenSwim Pro
2. OpenSwim
Why: Both are IP68 swim-capable, but OpenSwim Pro adds Bluetooth plus 32 GB MP3, making it more versatile. OpenSwim is great if you only care about pool use.

Best for running:

1. OpenRun Pro 2
2. OpenRun Air 2
Why: OpenRun Pro 2 has the strongest premium running profile with 12-hour battery and sport-first design. OpenRun Air 2 is lighter and likely the better value comfort pick. 

Best for swimrun:

1. OpenSwim Pro
Why: Swimrun demands one device that handles both land and water. OpenSwim Pro is the only clearly verified model here with both IP68 swim capability and onboard MP3 plus Bluetooth for land sections. Bluetooth alone is not enough underwater, and MP3-only is less convenient on the run. 

Summary

Simple buyer guidance summary:

- Buy OpenSwim Pro if you do swimming plus running, or swimrun.

- Buy OpenSwim if you are mostly a pool swimmer and want the simplest dedicated swim model.

- Buy OpenRun Pro 2 if you are primarily a runner and want the best premium run-first choice.

- Buy OpenRun Air 2 if you want a lighter, probably more budget-friendly running option.

- Buy OpenDots 2 if you want a crossover lifestyle/workout earbud more than a race-day training headset.

- Buy OpenDots Air if you want the lightest casual open-ear wearable for everyday use.

CLICK HERE to view all the great products on the Shokz website!



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The world's first AI music smart swim goggles, these are designed to replace five separate pieces of swim gear with a single, streamlined device.

SollaWave smart swim goggle by HoloSport underwater shot

The SollaWave combines racing-style swim goggles, integrated underwater headphones, waterproof earplugs, an AI-powered swim tracker, and built-in anti-fog protection into one compact package. Read our review for details, OR order direct from the HoloSport website, and remember to use our discount code - HOLOSWIM10 - to get your 10% off!

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Hvar14 before the start

Richard Mitchell, BDS, and Mogsy Ford are swimrun competitors and endurance athletes who write from direct racing experience. We have competed in swimrun since 2016, and bring added perspective from competitive running (5K to marathon) and open-water swim racing. This website has been mentioned by The Guardian newspaper. As married teammates, we train together, and build holidays around races. Read more at the 'About Us' page.