Which AirPods best for a casual light outdoor walker?

[chriswhv6]

Hi all,

Would love to get everyone's opinion/feedback as to what would you recommend AirPods wise for light causal outdoor walks use (around the block etc)?

Was thinking maybe also to be using only One AirPod in the ear at a time (if thats even possible to do??) just to be more alert of the surroundings.

Would you think the 2nd Gen AirPods would be ok for the job or go with the 3rd Gen?

How about the AirPods Pro would that be a better option? (I know the 2nd Gen might be revealed at this years event too).

Thanks all.

 

[Sil3nt1]

airpod 3rd gen if those plastic earbuds fit you good

 

[russell_314]

My vote is for regular 2nd gen AirPods. From what I've read 3rd gen fit different so it's possible they could fit in your ears better or worse but I couldn't say either way. I wouldn't go for AirPods Pro just because they seal in your ears so then you would have to keep it on transparency mode to hear your surroundings. Yes you can do one if you want. I use one for phone calls all the time.

 

[zakarhino]

I agree with the above poster, transparency mode is not as good as regular AirPods in yours ears on relatively low volume.

 

[chriswhv6]

Thank you all very much for the feedback.

Also i forget to mention ive never put any type of AirPods in my ear/s let alone even hold any in my hands so thats a very good point as to now i have no idea which would fit better in my ears :/

 

[mdgm]

At this point you probably should wait and see what's announced in just under 2 weeks and if a new second generation AirPods Pro is announced wait and see what the early feedback is on how that compares with the 3rd generation AirPods.

The AirPods Pro were released nearly 3 years ago now, and the technology has improved since then. Apple has probably been waiting for a big enough improvement over the original to be ready to justify releasing a new version.

 

[steve217]

I have AirPods Pro and a set of AirPods 2nd gen.

As others have said, fit is paramount.

If I do so much as talk, let alone exercise, the Pro's will fall out. I use them mainly for mowing the yard (ANC) and watching movies. In those roles, they are fantastic.

For walking and light exercise, I use the AirPods 2nd gen. They stay in my ears better but if I run, they too will fall out.

If I were you, I would pick up a pair of AirPods 2nd gen due to the current (8/2022) Amazon sale ($100) and use those on your walks.

Hope this helps.

 

[GrandeLatte]

Wait for the September 7 Apple Event and see if there are any new releases.

Personally I own the AirPods 3. I use them mainly for exercise and meditation, and I don't need ANC. I prefer to hear what's going on around me- I have to be alert at all times.

I was choosing between the 2pro and the regular 3. I don't like the idea of plastic tips, so I opted for the 3. So far the fit is fine. The AirPods have never fallen out of my ears.

Again, I would wait.

 

[chriswhv6]

I have AirPods Pro and a set of AirPods 2nd gen.

As others have said, fit is paramount.

If I do so much as talk, let alone exercise, the Pro's will fall out. I use them mainly for mowing the yard (ANC) and watching movies. In those roles, they are fantastic.

For walking and light exercise, I use the AirPods 2nd gen. They stay in my ears better but if I run, they too will fall out.

If I were you, I would pick up a pair of AirPods 2nd gen due to the current (8/2022) Amazon sale ($100) and use those on your walks.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the reply.

Being from Australia here the cheapest at the moment that i can find the 2nd Gen AirPods is about $179 AU.
(Amazon AU/JB HiFI)
Apple AU i think has them still at $229 AU?

I will admit im thinking the longer stem 2nd Gen might fit/stay better in my ears compared to the shorter 3rd Gen?
Again i have no idea with never having tried any on.

Wait for the September 7 Apple Event and see if there are any new releases.

Personally I own the AirPods 3. I use them mainly for exercise and meditation, and I don't need ANC. I prefer to hear what's going on around me- I have to be alert at all times.

I was choosing between the 2pro and the regular 3. I don't like the idea of plastic tips, so I opted for the 3. So far the fit is fine. The AirPods have never fallen out of my ears.

Again, I would wait.

Thank you for you reply also.

Your right as with the event being so close it might be silly to spend $$$ now without seeing what is revealed.
I doubt it the 2nd Gen (if i decided to go with the cheaper option) will disappear overnight as well after the Sep 7th Event??

Lets see what happens at the Apple Event and ill decide from there

Thanks all again!

 

[GrandeLatte]

Thank you for you reply also.

Your right as with the event being so close it might be silly to spend $$$ now without seeing what is revealed.
I doubt it the 2nd Gen (if i decided to go with the cheaper option) will disappear overnight as well after the Sep 7th Event??

Lets see what happens at the Apple Event and ill decide from there

Thanks all again!

Well actually, if new AirPods are announced, all the previous generations/ iterations will be discounted even more. I'd look on Amazon and other reputable outlets. And you get to save more!

Have fun shopping!

 

[chriswhv6]

Well actually, if new AirPods are announced, all the previous generations/ iterations will be discounted even more. I'd look on Amazon and other reputable outlets. And you get to save more!

Have fun shopping!

Will definitely keep a look out after the event. Fingers crossed ill be able to grab something at a good price and ill be happy.
I know i won't be using them ALL the time but on the rare occasion will be nice to take them with me to listen to a podcast or something while on my 30 mins walks

 

[Devin Breeding]

I own the 2nd and 3rd gen as well as the Pros. If you want to be aware of your surroundings, I LOVE everything about the 3rd gen Airpods and yes they can be used individually on either side. Seems like the 3rd gen might serve you best for what you’re asking. The only time I opt for the Pro is when I need to drown out engine noise like when mowing or flying. They’re magic when it comes to noise cancellation.

 

[chriswhv6]

I own the 2nd and 3rd gen as well as the Pros. If you want to be aware of your surroundings, I LOVE everything about the 3rd gen Airpods and yes they can be used individually on either side. Seems like the 3rd gen might serve you best for what you’re asking. The only time I opt for the Pro is when I need to drown out engine noise like when mowing or flying. They magic when it comes to noise cancellation.

Thank you so much for your feedback. Much appreciated

 

[Soondae]

I have had Airpods 2 and the Airpods Pro; The Pro's just wouldn't stay in my ears. Also I found them heavy and not as comfortable as the 2 Gen. However I recently purchased the Beats Fit Pro and I must say fit and comfort are great and sound is fantastic as it uses the same H1 chip as the Pros, so give the Beats a look.

 

[andyw715]

I have the Pros with Comply tips, work great for walking/running.

 

[Dealmans]

Thanks for the reply.

Being from Australia here the cheapest at the moment that i can find the 2nd Gen AirPods is about $179 AU.
(Amazon AU/JB HiFI)
Apple AU i think has them still at $229 AU?

I will admit im thinking the longer stem 2nd Gen might fit/stay better in my ears compared to the shorter 3rd Gen?
Again i have no idea with never having tried any on.


Thank you for you reply also.

Your right as with the event being so close it might be silly to spend $$$ now without seeing what is revealed.
I doubt it the 2nd Gen (if i decided to go with the cheaper option) will disappear overnight as well after the Sep 7th Event??

Lets see what happens at the Apple Event and ill decide from there

Thanks all again!

I am in Coffs Harbour Lost a pair of gen 2 at local beach on weekend so looking for some more, can get a pair for $170 gen 3 off FB, guy bought them on Saturday from JB but don't fit him.
From memory when they came out I found them worse then the gen 2 so not sure.
Gen 2 I can only wear one in right ear, I walk my dog 3-5ks most days and use with my AW, so one is great for that or going to sleep with, other than those 2 uses I use AirPods max.

 

[Mikael H]

Hi all,

Would love to get everyone's opinion/feedback as to what would you recommend AirPods wise for light causal outdoor walks use (around the block etc)?

Was thinking maybe also to be using only One AirPod in the ear at a time (if thats even possible to do??) just to be more alert of the surroundings.

Would you think the 2nd Gen AirPods would be ok for the job or go with the 3rd Gen?

How about the AirPods Pro would that be a better option? (I know the 2nd Gen might be revealed at this years event too).

Thanks all.

I've used my AirPods Pro since soon after they were released and though I initially preferred the feeling in my ears from the regular ones, I would never go back if I had a choice.
Transparency mode is fantastic when you need to be alert to your surroundings, and the ability to switch to noise cancellation with a press of a stem means you don't have to miss parts of what you're listening to when you get passed by a truck or go past someone mowing their lawn. Best of both worlds.

 

[MrWillie]

FWIW, I had the original AirPods. One of them started malfunctioning literally a day after the warranty ran out. Chick at the Apple Store offered to sell me a replacement earbud at the full price. Nope.

I am now using the Cambridge Audio Melomania Touch. Some reviewers stated that they are the best sounding earbuds that they have heard. (They are). The firmware issues have been fixed. Easy to fit, and the at $99, they are a no brainer.

You can also use them one at a time, as the AirPods.

 

[chriswhv6]

So....they revealed the AirPods Pro 2....and i thought id make up my mind which to go with (normal 2nd or 3rd gen) but year pre orders went last night and i just was stuck looking at the screen and then closed the app.

Just cant make up my mind.
Im just more worried with the Pro's not fitting in my ears properly and falling out.

I remember years ago i had bought a pair of Sony's noise cancelling (wired) headphones and yeah they would not stay in my ears for the life of them LOL.

 

[Devin Breeding]

So....they revealed the AirPods Pro 2....and i thought id make up my mind which to go with (normal 2nd or 3rd gen) but year pre orders went last night and i just was stuck looking at the screen and then closed the app.

Just cant make up my mind.
Im just more worried with the Pro's not fitting in my ears properly and falling out.

I remember years ago i had bought a pair of Sony's noise cancelling (wired) headphones and yeah they would not stay in my ears for the life of them LOL.

I think they are guaranteed aren’t they? Might as well try the pro 2s or gen 3 standard and see if you like them and send them back if not. The new Pros come with 4 size ear buds so maybe they'll work for you. After watching the event, they definitely seem like a nice option for someone new to AirPods.

 

[QuickDraw]

So....they revealed the AirPods Pro 2....and i thought id make up my mind which to go with (normal 2nd or 3rd gen) but year pre orders went last night and i just was stuck looking at the screen and then closed the app.

Just cant make up my mind.
Im just more worried with the Pro's not fitting in my ears properly and falling out.

I remember years ago i had bought a pair of Sony's noise cancelling (wired) headphones and yeah they would not stay in my ears for the life of them LOL.

If you live close to an apple store you could try them out first. Otherwise i would not worry too much, as you could return them if they don't fit well. Also the Pro come with differently sized ear tips.

 

[Tdude96]

Probably not too much to worry about, since you should be able to return them if you don't like the fit. A lot of success or failure with AirPods of any type is how ears are shaped, everyone's unique.

I owned the original AirPods and now the AirPods Pro. For my ears, they are both fine for walking. With the original AirPods, I'd find myself adjusting them often, especially after a long walk when starting to sweat. They fell out more than once. That's not really a problem with the AirPods Pro and their ear tips which come in multiple sizes. They stay in quite well at a walking pace, even when sweaty. Neither stays in well while running, but AirPods Pro take longer to work loose. I like them enough I've ordered the AirPods Pro 2.

As far as experience while wearing them, I really like using the pros because of ANC. My options for exercise are either "by the busy highway" or "by the airport." The pros help a lot to cut out the noise, but if you read around, you will find that many people (myself included) can hear a thudding sound that gets emphasized with the ANC since other sounds are suppressed. Since you intend to only wear one at a time, that noise, if you can hear it, should be hardly noticeable.

Personally I would often wear only one of the original AirPods at a time. This caused the battery wear to be very uneven. But I was still very happy with them regardless. Once I had the pros, I started using both at almost all times. For me, Transparency Mode is great for when situational awareness is needed, and ANC is fantastic for cutting down on loud noises, not just helping protect hearing from environmental noise, but also allowing me to keep the volume at a more reasonable level. If Apple's correct in their announcement, the new AirPods Pro will be even better at both of those things.

 

[mikext]

So....they revealed the AirPods Pro 2....and i thought id make up my mind which to go with (normal 2nd or 3rd gen) but year pre orders went last night and i just was stuck looking at the screen and then closed the app.

Just cant make up my mind.
Im just more worried with the Pro's not fitting in my ears properly and falling out.

I remember years ago i had bought a pair of Sony's noise cancelling (wired) headphones and yeah they would not stay in my ears for the life of them LOL.

I would try out the Airpods Pro for a week, and if they don't fit well you can return them within your 14-day purchase window at the Apple Store.

 

[Misheemee]

So....they revealed the AirPods Pro 2....and i thought id make up my mind which to go with (normal 2nd or 3rd gen) but year pre orders went last night and i just was stuck looking at the screen and then closed the app.

Just cant make up my mind.
Im just more worried with the Pro's not fitting in my ears properly and falling out.

I remember years ago i had bought a pair of Sony's noise cancelling (wired) headphones and yeah they would not stay in my ears for the life of them LOL.

I’m in Sydney 😁

If you order directly from the Apple store, you can try them out and if you don’t like them you can return them for a full refund within 14 days. Costco had a similar return policy. Any other retailer you buy from, once you open it, they’re yours.

Long story short - order them from the apple store, try them out for a week and if you don’t like them, take them back 🤷‍♀️

 

[chriswhv6]

Yeah seems like this will be the best bet and to go with through the Apple Store for a back up just incase.
I dont think anyone has the Gen 3's on special anyways so if its all the same price and the option to return then yeah its going to be through Apple direct.