Shokz, maker of some of our favorite ever running headphones, has released two new models ready for your summer adventures: the waterproof Shokz OpenSwim Pro and Headphones for swimming are always a tricky proposition. Not only do they have to be fully waterproof, they also have to contend with the fact that Bluetooth signals can only travel a very short distance in water, making it impossible to leave your phone at the side of the pool and have it transmit music to your ears while you swim. Like the original OpenSwim that preceded it, the OpenSwim Pro gets around this issue by allowing you to transfer your music, podcasts and audiobooks to storage on the headset itself, removing the need to stream data while you're using it.
However, the new OpenSwim Pro has an unusual trick up its sleeve: it also has a Bluetooth antenna, allowing you to use it like a regular set of wireless headphones when you're out of the pool. That makes it a lot more versatile than other swimming headphones, and its waterproof build means you can wear it safely for outdoor adventures, no matter how hard it rains or how sweaty you get. That versatility also makes it a great choice for triathlon training, letting you switch from MP3 playback to Bluetooth as you transition from swim to bike.
You can change between the two modes at the press of a button, or via the Shokz app on your phone. When in Bluetooth mode, the OpenSwim Pro also allows you to make phone calls, with four microphones, echo cancellation,.
