With Autumn well and truly here, and the winter time making sure that it is definitely dark by the time you finish work, it is getting harder and harder to fit in that run or bike ride. The weather doesn’t help either, and we all need a bit of motivation. I have been on the lookout for some gadgets that help us achieve this, and here is a little compilation of some of the best from August.
August EP610R – In ear, bluetooth headphones, designed for runners
Runners need good headphones, and that involves a few luxuries that are not normally needed. The headphones need to be light, they need to be strong, they need to be comfortable, and more importantly, they need to stay in while running. The EP610R tick all these boxes, giving you Bluetooth 4.0 connection, a micro USB cable to charge this and run for about 5 hours, and at only 15g, you can easily forget they are there.
Different fitting options are available, and once in, they stay in.
Bluetooth functionality is enhanced by the fact that these allow you the standard headset controls for iOS and Android devices. You can even fine tune the sound using any Equalizer app.
The sound is good, and the isolation is reasonable while running. A bit bass heavy, but that is typical for most in-ear headphones.
More information on the headphones can be found on the August website:
http://www.augustint.com/en/productmsg-1-211.html
They retail for only £22.45, and are available from Amazon. They come in sporty red, or complete black.
EP636S – Sporty headphones for the comfort runner
A runner needs comfort, and to be honest, in-ear headphones are not for everyone. Enter the EP636 headphones from August, which give you everything the in-ear headphones offered, and then some. These headphones give you the following features:
- Bluetooth 4.0 and NFC pairing
- Built in microphone
- Up to 12.5 hour battery life
- Control buttons on the side
Pairing is incredibly easy, thanks to NFC, and once paired the sound just flows. Being 126g means they are still on the lighter end of the headphone spectrum, while still managing to stay on your ears while you run. The design is rather comfortable, with foamed pads keeping your ears both warm and full of music when you run.
The sound is clear and warm, which is how I like it, and works well. For anybody who likes to stay fit and moving, these are probably the best value and most comfortable headphones out there.
More information on these can be found on the August website:
http://www.augustint.com/en/productmsg-1-191.html
They retail from only £15, and come in red, white, silver and black. They are available from Amazon.
EP650R – For those who take their music seriously
What if the main purpose of your run was not just fitness, but to really enjoy great music? The EP650R from August is designed for the music connoisseurs among us. Bluetooth that features aptX, built in microphone, NFC and a 3.5mm socket means that you should always be able to connect this to your device of choice, and enjoy your music anywhere, and anyhow, be it a simple old fashioned MP3 player locked in your drawer or a high end phone/tablet.
Battery life lasts more than 10 hours, and the outside ear design gives you a well balanced feel on your head. The thick earpieces give you a cushioned feel around your ears, and they will also keep your sensitive ears warm during the winter months. At 235g, they are slightly heavier than the others, but not too heavy.
More information on these can be found on the August website:
http://www.augustint.com/en/productmsg-1-45.html
They retail for only £39.95, and come in a wide variety of colours. They can be bought from Amazon.