Waterproof Bluetooth Headphones

I've always loved running around in the rain.  When I was a kid, heavy rain would always prompt me to put on some old clothes and go get soaked.  I don't have quite the same reaction these days, but I will say that I definitely don't let rain interfere with my running!  Here are a few of my personal tips for not letting nature slow you down when it gets a little wet out!

1. Wear Waterproof Headphones

Given the name of this site, I'm sure you saw this one coming.  The rain is no reason to jog without your soundtrack as long as you have a good pair that will resist the water, like the Motorola S10-HD.  Making sure they fit snugly will ensure they stay on your head and the sound stays crisp and clear.

2. Dress Loudly

There's typically lower visibility out when it rains, so it's more important than ever to make sure people, especially motorists, can see you.  I wear bright colors when I run, and if the sun is even starting to go down, I have some reflective strips to make sure I stand out.

3. But Don't Overdress

Remember that as you get rained on, your clothes will get heavier as they become saturated with water.  Take this into account, but also dress for the weather.

4. Remember To Dry Your Shoes

Legend tells of a terrible stink that descends upon any pair of shoes left wet for too long.  Loosen your laces (or remove them completely), open your shoes up, and air them out somewhere with a lot of air flow.  You can also stuff them with crumpled up newspaper.  I've even used a hair dryer on mine, but you'll have to be careful, depending on what type of shoes you have.  Whatever you do, though, don't let them stay wet!

5. A Hat With A Brim Is Your Friend

I don't know why this took me so long to figure out.  It's probably because I don't wear hats generally, but let me tell you, a brim is the perfect thing to have right above your eyes when it's raining out.  This can increase your visibility pretty dramatically in the right conditions, so I always wear one when it's wet out.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, just a few pointers to get you started.  Above all, it's important to always be safe.  What tips do you have of your own for jogging when it's raining?

When the Wavetooth Waterproof Bluetooth Headset was first announced back in 2010, I was pretty excited about it.  I've always loved the idea of having a soundtrack when I go swimming, but I've never been brave enough to risk trying one of those "waterproof" cases they sell to protect your phone.  Leaving my phone by the pool and having the music delivered to my ears wirelessly really appealed to me, so I was dissapointed when the product launched to mediocre reviews.  They don't seem to be available anywhere on the net anymore, and I haven't heard anything about the company since then, nor have any other companies stepped up to the plate with Bluetooth swimming headphones of their own.  What happened, and how can you still swim to your favorite songs?

Underwater Bluetooth: Not Ready For Primetime

The problem with using Bluetooth headphones in the pool is that the signal just isn't strong enough to get through the water.  Sure, the Wavetooths would survive a swim beneath the surface, but you wouldn't be able to hear anything!  They only work if the receiver is above the water, making them alright for treading water, doggy paddling or just splashing around, and barely even passable for swimming laps.  That's the whole reason I wanted them in the first place!

My first pair of wireless headphones was really a piece of crap, and I've seen first hand how far this kind of technology has come in the last few years.  I'm hopeful that at some point in the near future there will be a product like this that actually lives up to the hype, but until then there some really decent compromises that will work just fine, even underwater.

Here Are Some Choices That Work

I've been using an AudioFlood waterproof iPod Shuffle, which is pretty cheap at Amazon.com, and come with waterproof headphones, and it works like a charm.  It's exactly what it sounds like: a retrofitted iPod Shuffle that works underwater.  A Shuffle was my jogging buddy for a long time until I jumped on the wireless bandwagon, and I've always loved its design and simplicity.  I have it strapped to my goggles, and it's unobtrusive and delivers music without fail when I'm swimming laps, OR EVEN AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POOL!  The Wavetooth had a bulky receiver and big lanyard, and this is a far more elegant solution that actually works.

My wife uses a pair of Go Waterproof Mp3 Player Headphones, and while their sound isn't as really as good as the headphones that come with the Waterfi Shuffle, they still sound surprisingly good underwater.  They're also not as comfortable, and have a tendency to fall off sometimes, especially when you're swimming fast.  Still, they're a little bit cheaper than the waterproof Shuffle, so it's a decent option if you're strapped for cash but still want to swim underwater while listening to music, WHICH IS FRANKLY MIRACULOUS! (Update 1/30/2014 – Sorry, looks like these aren't in production anymore. Check out Jessica's review of the Sony NWZ-W273 Waterproof Walkman MP3 Player!) Seriously, nobody in the entire world has reason to complain about that.

Of course, either of these options requires you to manage your music collection, or at least part of it, on another device.  I know, I know, it's like living in the olden days, back when everything was on physical media and you had to use different devices for different tasks, but it's honestly not a terrible inconvenience at all.  When some real Bluetooth headphones for swimming show up on the market, I'll be all over them, but until then, I can live with this.