When you are hiking or mountaineering, it is a good idea to take headphones with you to listen to music or, even better, podcasts. Here are my best headphones for hiking.
Jaybird VISTA Bluetooth Waterproof Wireless In-Ear Headphones
The Jaybird Vista wireless headphones are a rugged and waterproof option for runners and hikers who want to listen to music or a podcast on the trail.
The Jaybird Vista is a pair of rugged, lightweight headphones designed for the outdoor explorer. With an IPX7 rating, 16 hours of battery life, and a secure in-ear design, the Vista is ready to go on a hike right out of the box.
The drawback of some other earphones is that they tend to pop out of the ears while running or hiking on challenging trails. After seeing many Jaybird-sponsored athletes promoting the Vista for track racing, I knew I had to try them out.
The Jaybird Vista earphones come in a protective water bottle, a distinctive approach to sustainable packaging. I have been able to use this bottle daily for water after unpacking the earphones.
The Vista earphones come in a self-contained refill case that weighs 1.59 oz. with the earphones inside. The case is very sturdy and durable.
The main case is charged using a USB-C port, which is lovely since all modern gadgets are heading towards this type of product.
When opening the case, the earphones are placed in their charging station and are securely fixed by strong magnets. Each earphone weighs 0.24 oz, which is incredible considering its features and durability. A standard-sized ear gel is attached to each ear tip, but the case is available in several sizes to fit different ears.
The Jaybird Vista earphones also feature a microphone allowing one to take calls and use voice commands on the go. It’s essential to be able to take calls for safety reasons. This is one of my recommendations in terms of safety.
Connectivity
The Jaybird Vista connects to the phone using Bluetooth, with each earpiece connecting independently without latency. This is an essential feature for wireless headsets, as the other options connect to one earpiece and transmit to the other. This relay design can cause severe latency and audio dropouts, so it’s great that the Vista connects to both.
The Vista earphones instantly pair with a smartPhone by pressing the small pairing button between the earphones on the charging station.
Mobile application
Jaybird Vista headphones can sync with the Jaybird MySound application for additional features and functionality. The application’s main function is to check the battery life quickly. The app allows users to assign control buttons to each earphone, find lost earphones, listen to linked Spotify playlists, and customize a personal EQ.
Performance and comfort
The Jaybird Vista earphones are a very comfortable trail option that disappears in the ear for more comfort all day. I have a very standard size ear canal and was able to use the standard ear gel without making any adjustments.
The buttons on the Jaybird Vista provide a pleasant tactile click, helping you pause a podcast, jump forward or backward in a playlist, or change the volume while on the go.
You can use the Jaybird Vista headphones for long hikes, quick runs, and daily walks with your dog without dropping them out of your ear yet or causing any problems. You can wear them in light rain and pass the waterproofness test without any issues.
The microphone works very well, and you will never have a problem hearing your voice.
Sound Quality
Jaybird Vista earphones use ear canal gels for a secure fit. This design provides passive noise reduction.
This design also transfers vibrations from the body to the ear so that I can hear a small thud with every step. However, these hits are not specific to the Vista but are just a function of the ear canal design used by many earphone manufacturers. The advantage of this passive noise cancellation is that I can lower the volume, which is better for ear health and battery life.
For a pair of earphones designed for outdoor use, the sound quality is quite good on the Vista earphones.
The Vista provides a full sound for podcasts and is a decent option for music too. I like that the application allows choosing a personal EQ profile to optimize the sound of the music you listen to.
Battery life
The battery life of the Jaybird Vista headphones is phenomenal. They are billed as having 6 hours of battery life on a full charge. When you use it at about 40% volume and don’t use the buttons, you can easily get 5 hours or more. That’s important on long hikes listening to Dan Carlin’s hardcore history! Even when the headphone battery is low, you can put them back in the charging box for an additional 10 hours of cumulative life. The best part is the quick initial charge that allows you to play for 1 hour in 5 minutes of charging. This is great for hikes at the summit, where you put the earphones in their case and take them out before coming back down.
Health benefits of hiking
Boosts your mood
Walking will not sour your mood. Instead, it will lift your spirits, relax your mind, and uplift your senses so you can fully enjoy what lies ahead.
You will feel complete when you walk alone, even over short distances. If you do it with friends, you will come closer to them because you are walking together, helping each other, and sharing the beauty of your accomplishments.
Eases insomnia
Your insomnia will get better if you hike more. And it makes sense.
You spend the day hiking instead of being stressed at work or home and use your energy to get there. When you are at home, you don’t fall asleep because of a tired mind but because of well-spent energy.
Gives you the daily requirement of vitamin D
The sun is kind enough to provide us with vitamin D as long as we are the first time we see it. Fifteen minutes of sunlight a day, early in the morning, is all we need. In addition, vitamin D can also be found in food.
Vitamin D is needed so that the bones can absorb calcium. Together they make the bones stronger and healthier overall.
Extends your life span
Longer periods of physical activity strengthen the heart, make bones denser, prevent oxidative stress that causes cancer, increase energy, and much more.
It only takes 7 hours a week to achieve this.
If you consider hiking, you will get the benefits mentioned above. Not only will you look good, feel great, and have better output in life, but you will also have a fantastic view of love and nature.
Having the right hiking backpack for the right day will help you a lot when hiking. No matter how robust or expensive, a standard backpack will not get you through. Instead, you need a day hiking backpack.
They are built for climbing, hiking, camping, and outdoor activities. This means that they are designed to fit your necessities while protecting you from back pain caused by the backpack.
If you have been hiking with your standard backpack, get a hiking bag; it will be the best thing you have done for your back.
Conclusion
At $180, the Jaybird Vista earphones are on the side of the most expensive ones, but they are on par with similar earphones on the market. Most players will buy them on Apple AirPods Pro ($249), Google Pixel Buds ($180), Powerbeats Pro ($250), or the Bose Soundsport Free ($199). Considering the performance and robustness of the Jaybird Vista, it’s a reasonable price to ask, considering the full range of features. Ultimately, your level of physical activity and your desire for water- and shock-resistant headphones should determine your purchase here. If you need a pair of wireless headphones for occasional use, the original AirPods are a good buy at $160. If you need a pair of headphones with an AirPod feature set and the ability to play sports, the Jaybird Vista is a good option.