How to choose running earbuds that stay in place
Why earbuds fall out
Small buds held only by a tip can shift with every step. Sweat makes the tip slip, and sudden moves such as sprints or jumps pull them out.
A hook makes the difference
A hook that rests behind the ear holds the bud in place without relying on a tip. The TESNA GOG100 have a hook with a flexible titanium core that fits the ear and stays put through sprints, jumps and burpees. The TESNA GOJ05 also have hooks, and are lighter.
Weight matters on long runs
A heavy bud tires the ear after an hour. The GOJ05 weigh 8.1 g each and are made for long runs; the GOG100 weigh 9.4 g.
Sweat and battery
Choose at least IPX4. The GOJ05 are IPX4 and last 8 hours per charge, enough for a marathon, plus 24 from the case. The GOG100 are IPX5, last 10 hours plus 32 from the case, and ten minutes of charging gives roughly two hours of music.
How to put them on properly
Many buds fall out because they were put on in a hurry. Put the hook behind the ear first, from the top down, then turn the bud gently until the driver sits right in front of the ear canal. The hook should follow the curve of the ear, not sit on top of it.
On the GOG100 the band has a flexible titanium core: you can bend it slightly for a firmer hold and it keeps its shape. On the GOJ05 the hook is thinner and lighter, suited to anyone who cannot stand pressure on the ear.
Test before you run: jump on the spot a few times and shake your head. If a bud moves, put it on again; do not tighten more than you need, or it will hurt after an hour.
Different workouts, different needs
In sprints, jumps and weight training the head moves sharply, so a firm hold matters most: here the GOG100, with its titanium band, is the safer choice.
On long runs at a steady pace, weight and comfort over hours matter: the GOJ05, at 8.1 g a bud, presses less. On a marathon, the GOJ05's 8 hours of battery are enough for almost anyone.
On a bike or in the mountains, where you wear a helmet or a hat, check first that the straps do not push the hook. If they do, a clip bud such as the Ola 1 may sit better.
If they still will not stay
Every ear is different. If you have tried the position and a bud still slips, check three things: hair caught under the hook (it makes it slide), sunglasses (their arms can lift the hook) and sweat (a headband helps).
If they do not fit, you have the right of return set out in the shop's terms. Write to us first and we will help you find the right model.
Hook, clip or tip: a short comparison
Plain in-ear buds, with no hook, stay in by the pressure of the tip in the ear canal. They are fine for easy runs, but at a sprint, with sweat, they can slip, and on the street you cannot hear the traffic.
Hook buds such as the GOG100 and GOJ05 rest behind the ear and stay put even with sudden moves, and your ear stays open. They are the safest choice for running outdoors.
Clip buds such as the Ola 1 hold on to the rim of the ear. They are the most discreet and go well with glasses and a bike helmet, but in very sudden sprints a hook holds more firmly.
Every model is in the shop, under open-ear sport earbuds.