"It allows for situational awareness when you're out running, walking, riding — whatever it may be you're doing."
"You can still hear cars, people on bikes, and others walking around you."
"You still have full clarity of what's going on around you."
If you often run outdoors, you know how important situational awareness is. While traditional in-ear earbuds deliver excellent sound quality, they often block out surrounding sounds, which can create safety risks. That’s why more and more runners are turning to open-ear earbuds.
Today, we invited marathon runner@M1Runs to test out our latest product — the Mempod Fit 2. Having compared it directly with Shokz, he concluded that the Fit 2 delivers an even better open-ear running experience — ultimately calling it the best open-ear earbuds for running.
Let’s take a closer look at these Bluetooth earbuds with a dongle and see why they’ve become a top choice for marathon athletes!
In-Depth Review — Why Mempod Fit 2 Is The Best Open-Ear Earbuds for Running?
Best Running Earbuds Comfort: Unmatched Fit for Workouts & All-Day Wear
✅ Super Lightweight – 9.9g Per Earbud: Weighing just 9.9 grams per earbud, the Mempod Fit 2 is one of the lightest sets of open-ear wireless earbuds you can find. Imagine holding just one standard U.S. quarter coin (5.67 g) and one Chinese ¥1 RMB coin (6.1 g) together — a single Mempod Fit 2 earbud is roughly the equivalent weight of a slightly heavy Euro or Dollar coin. “After the first few minutes of my run, I often forgot I was wearing them.” Not only marathon runners but many consumers share this sentiment — a stark contrast to heavier earhook designs that constantly remind you of their presence.
✅ No Interference with Gear: For runners who wear sunglasses or a hat — or both — a stiff band around the back of the head can be a real nightmare. With its true wireless open-ear design, the Mempod Fit 2 completely eliminates this issue. There’s no connecting wire between the two buds, allowing runners to wear their favorite cap and race sunglasses comfortably without any pressure points. It’s one of those small yet practical design details that make a huge difference on race day.
✅ Ear Hook Design — Stays Put, No Matter What: The flexible ear-hook design ensures a secure and snug fit. Whether during sprint intervals, hill repeats, or even a round of burpees, the Mempod Fit 2 earbuds never slip or wobble. This dependable, stable wearing experience represents a revolutionary breakthrough for high-intensity and trail runners who demand gear as reliable as the traction underfoot.
Open-Ear Safety: Maintain Full Situational Awareness While Running
When you’re choosing the best open-ear earbuds for an activity like running, safety isn’t a feature — it’s a requirement. This is the whole reason the “open-ear” category exists! The ability to hear your surroundings is absolutely non-negotiable for both road runners and trail runners.
The Mempod Fit 2 excels in this area by design:
✅ Situational Awareness, Perfected: Because the sound drivers rest just outside your ear canal, your ears remain completely open. You hear everything — the cheerful bell of an approaching ice cream truck (a much-needed distraction on a long run!), the important call of a car engine behind you, and the conversation of people passing by. This situational awareness gives you confidence and lets you stay connected to your environment, which is vital for safe training in an urban setting.
✅ The Runner’s Advantage: Think about race day. Many major marathons require open-ear headphones (or simply ban traditional earbuds) because they need you to hear race officials, medical personnel, and other runners. Having a pair of recommended earbuds for running that you know meet these safety standards — and that you’re already comfortable wearing — is one less thing to worry about before the starting gun fires. You can enjoy your music and still hear the cheers, the mile markers, and any urgent instructions.
As mentioned at the beginning of this article, whether it’s the commands during a marathon race, the sound of the starting gun, or the cheers from those around you, maintaining full situational awareness is crucial. This design is a significant advantage over even high-end earbuds with a “transparency mode.” Transparency mode simulates environmental sound using microphones, which can often sound artificial, tinny, or — worst of all — fail to transmit critical, sudden sounds (like a horn) clearly enough. With the Mempod Fit 2, you’re hearing the world naturally.
10-Hour Battery & Dual Connectivity: Effortless Pairing for Running Workouts
Nothing kills the motivation on a long run faster than an “audio battery low” warning. For marathon runners who can be out there for four to six hours or more, long-lasting power isn’t a luxury — it’s an absolute must-have.
✅ Marathon-Ready Battery: With up to 10 hours of listening time per earbud on a single charge, the Mempod Fit 2 can power you through even the longest training days — or the race itself. The compact charging case provides additional top-ups, ensuring your music won’t quit before you do. This impressive battery life is competitive with, and even exceeds, many other recommended earbuds for running on the market.
Best Open-Ear Sound Quality & Voice Clarity for Running and Calls
“The Mempod Fit 2 is small and lightweight, coming in at 9.9 g, but don’t let that fool you — just because they’re small doesn’t mean they don’t have all the same features that everybody else has.”
As @M1Runs said, the Mempod Fit 2 is incredibly light — so light that you almost forget you’re wearing it during a run. Yet, it still delivers the impressive sound quality every open-ear earbud should have. When you’re out running, this balance truly shines: you stay aware of your surroundings while feeling fully immersed in your music. The Mempod Fit 2 perfectly combines safety, comfort, and motivating sound, making every stride more enjoyable.
“It’s great for all-day wear and any occasion — whether it’s in the office or out on a run, a walk, or maybe some other recreational sport. I’ve taken work calls while running on a busy city block, and the person on the other end reported a clear, noise-free conversation.”
With HiFi4 DSP and AI ENC, the Mempod Fit 2 delivers rich, balanced sound and crystal-clear calls. The bass gives your music power without blocking your surroundings — perfect for outdoor runs. Thanks to smart noise cancellation, your voice stays clear even in busy environments. Even when making calls while running, you won’t be bothered by surrounding noise.
Mempod Fit 2 vs. Shokz Open-Ear Earbuds: The Most Recommended Open-Ear Earbuds for Running
One of the standout features of @M1Runs’s review is its comparison with Shokz open-ear earbuds. Shokz is a giant in the open-ear audio space, famous for its bone conduction technology and, more recently, its Shokz OpenFit line of air conduction earbuds. So, how does an up-and-comer like the Mempod Fit 2 stack up? Let's see what M1Runs has to say first:
“The Shokz have been getting quite annoying, as my hair doesn’t really allow me to wear them comfortably anymore. But these, I’m excited to try, as they don’t mess with my hair and won’t get in the way as much.”
As we can see, M1Runs is a man with slightly longer, quite thick hair. His excessively thick hair prevents him from wearing the Shokz OpenRun Pro comfortably. However, he can easily wear the Mempod Fit 2 due to the ear-hook design — both earbuds are completely independent. This means there are no straps at the back of the head. For runners, this undoubtedly offers a significant advantage in terms of headwear compatibility. Especially in winter, choosing the right headphones becomes crucial for comfortably wearing them while running a marathon and avoiding the hassle of thick hair.
Next, let’s take a look at Shokz’s other two open-ear headphones, whose design is extremely similar to the Mempod Fit 2.
| Mempod Fit 2 | Shokz OpenFit Air | Shokz OpenFit 2+ | |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 5.3 | 5.4 |
| Dongle for Laptop | √ | X | X |
| Battery (earbuds only) | Up to 10 h | Up to 6 h | Up to 11 h |
| Battery(with case) | Up to 45 h | Up to 28 h | Up to 48 h |
| IP Rating | IP54 | IP54 | IP55 |
| Price | $99.99 | $119.95 | $199.95 |
As mentioned above, compared with the Shokz OpenFit 2+, the Mempod Fit 2 may not outperform in every single feature, but it delivers exceptional value for money — offering better performance than the Shokz OpenFit Air at a more affordable price.
If you’re looking for recommended earbuds for running that combine comfort, sound quality, and smart design at a budget-friendly price, the Mempod Fit 2 is undoubtedly one of the best earbuds for running.
It’s lightweight, stays secure during sprints or marathons, and delivers rich, open sound while keeping you aware of your surroundings. Plus, its dongle compatibility makes it perfect for both fitness and work — a rare combination even among premium brands.
So, whether you’re training for a marathon or jogging through your neighborhood, the Mempod Fit 2 might just be the best open-ear earbuds for running you’ve been waiting for.
Final Verdict — Do They Deserve the Title of “Best Open-Ear Earbuds For Running”?
After unboxing and testing, M1Runs was pleasantly surprised to find that:
“They actually have the same, if not better, overall quality that you can get from competitors at the same price. I can’t wait to try it for the marathon even!”
Whether it’s your next race, daily training, or life beyond running, the Mempod Fit 2 has become the new favorite in the sports world. This ultimate running tech delivers on its promise — making every journey safe, comfortable, and energized.
If you’re a runner still struggling with in-ear headphones or bulky alternatives, it’s time to choose safety and comfort. It’s time to choose the Mempod Fit 2. They stand out as the top choice among open-ear earbuds designed specifically for running.
Discover the Mempod Fit 2 Now and transform your run today!
FAQs
- Are open-ear earbuds good for running in the rain?
Most quality open-ear earbuds, including the Mempod Fit 2 with its IP54 rating, are protected against light rain and sweat. However, it's not advisable to submerge them or use them in a heavy downpour. The IP54 rating means they can handle splashes from any direction, making them perfectly suitable for a sweaty workout or getting caught in a light drizzle.
- Will the Mempod Fit 2 work with glasses or a running hat?
Yes. The thin, flexible ear hooks are designed to fit comfortably with most glasses frames and under the brim of a running hat or visor. The lightweight design prevents them from adding significant pressure, making them a great option for runners who wear eyewear.
- How can I skip or go back to a song while running?
Double-click the right earbud to skip to the next track, or double-click the left earbud to go back to the previous one.
- How do I answer or reject a phone call while running?
Single-click to answer an incoming call, and double-click to hang up or reject it.
- Are Mempod Fit 2 earbuds good for virtual meetings too?
Yes. With the included dongle, you can easily connect to laptops for work or remote calls.
- Are the Mempod Fit 2 earbuds compatible with all smartphones
Yes. Thanks to their use of universal Bluetooth 5.4 technology, the Mempod Fit 2 is broadly compatible with any smartphone that supports Bluetooth audio, including both iOS and Android devices. The connection is stable and easy to set up directly from your phone's settings menu.
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