GEAR OF THE YEAR - tech

GEAR DOESN'T MAKE THE RUNNER, but the right kind of gear can rev up your runs. Runner's World staff tests the heck out of shoes, electronics, apparel, and accessories that can help to make your workouts easier, faster, and, just as important, more fun.

1/ Shokz OpenRun Pro, $180

The safest headphones for running got a big upgrade this year. Shokz (the company changed its name from AfterShokz a year ago) uses bone-conduction technology to transfer sound through your cheekbones, leaving your ears open to hear approaching cars and other hazards. OpenRun Pro features richer sound with better bass than the Aeropex, a Gear of the Year winner in 2019. You still won't mistake the audio quality for a decent pair of earbuds, but it's a fair compromise we're willing to make for the added protection. The sound is plenty loud when playing music, but spoken word, like podcasts, can be hard to decipher along busy roads. Battery life has been extended to an impressive 10 hours-up from the eight hours of the Aeropex-while a five-minute charge gives you 1.5 hours of playback.-J.D.

2/ Jabra Elite 3, $80

I have trouble with earbuds; most fall out or they are so tight it feels like my ears will explode. The Jabra Elite 3's smooth silicone gel tips allow me to listen to music during my runs without issue. While it may not have all the features of Jabra's pricier versions, like the Elite 75t ($150), which has slightly better sound quality and battery life, the Elite 3 is a solid deal for what you get: noise isolation and hear-through options, up to seven hours of battery life, and a 10-minute quick charge for one hour of listening. The Elite 3 is wallet-friendly and gives me more freedom to run in challenging weather-the 'buds have IP55 rainproof protection-without too much risk of getting waterlogged.-Amy Wolff

3/ Jaybird Vista 2, $150