Suunto has launched the Wing 2 bone conducting headphones — a runner’s opinion

A good playlist is a runner’s perfect companion. Mile by mile, sometimes the only thing keeping you going is the right beats per minute playlist. But at the same time, there are all kinds of things you need to be aware of when running outdoors, besides your favorite tunes. Cars, cyclists, and other runners, for example. So what do you do when you want great sound quality but the spatial awareness to keep you safe? You go for bone conduction technology.

Bone conduction technology transmits sound through vibrations directly to the inner ear via the cheekbones, bypassing the eardrum, and increasing your spatial awareness. There are some major players in this field, like the Shokz Open Run, and now, Suunto’s Wing 2 headphones.

Are the Suunto Wing 2 headphones worth the upgrade?

If you already have a great pair of earbuds, or bone conduction headphones for that matter, it can be difficult to know when to toss them aside for a newer model. If we upgraded every time a new model came out, we’d have earbuds falling out of every corner of the home. But this Suunto launch feels different, especially since it coincides with the release of the Race 2 watch.

If you’re a sucker for good sound, these headphones are hard to resist. The Wing 2 headphones boast a deeper, more powerful bass and clearer mids and highs through refined metal components and optimized EQ. The maximum volume is increased by 5 dB from the previous model, so you can truly blast your sounds when smashing PRs. The bone conduction technology also reduces sound leakage more effectively than traditional headphones.

Credit: Suunto

Credit: Suunto

If you’re already a fan of the Wing 1 headphones, this model truly is a new and improved version, especially when it comes to the design. The Wing 2 headphones sport a lighter, slimmer shell, so you’ll find both the fit and sound quality are much improved. The weight distribution has also been adjusted forward to make them more comfortable and keep the earbuds securely in place during long wear and intense workouts.

You can also pick from two colors: all black and coral orange, because it’s not always substance over style. And let’s not forget the built in LED lights. Enjoy two motion-activated lighting modes, perfect for late-night runs. In Turn and Brake Mode, lights signal direction and alert others when slowing down, and the Cadence Sync Mode pulses lights synchronized with running pace. We’ve not looked at any studies, but we reckon cool flashing lights will actually make you run faster.

And if you’re used to wet, windy, and all-around miserable climates, these will still perform. Thanks to the dual microphones and smart noise-canceling technology, your music will still cut through wind and background noise. This is thanks to a metal filter that helps to reduce wind noise at speeds up to 30 km/h.

Now onto the big one, battery life. If you’re training for some serious distance like a marathon or triathlon, you need headphones that are going to last, and with the Wing 2 headphones, you’re promised up to 12 hours of continuous playback and a total of 36 hours with the included power bank. And if you forget to charge before heading out, like we always do, just give them a quick five-minute charge to get an hour and a half of listening.

Credit: Suunto

The list of qualities that matter should really end here. What’s left at this point? But I’m a huge fan of the neck mobility and posture sensors. These are built to help assess the cervical range of motion. They can track recovery from injuries or optimize your training posture. If you keep displaying poor posture (guilty), gentle reminders will prompt you to adjust your form. As far as fancy features go, this one is seriously impressive.

We’ve not given these headphones the full review treatment yet, but from what we’ve seen, we’re impressed. For $179 at Amazon, if you’re in the market for a pair of running headphones that deliver where it counts, these are definitely worth considering.