Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless Earbuds with Open-Ring Design, Built-in Alexa, Ambient Sound Mode - White | Perfect for Running, Commuting & Office Work

While I appreciate listening to music and podcasts on long runs, I tend not to use headphones as I am uncomfortable with the isolation earbuds provide, and find earbuds often make a booming noise due to bone conduction.I have used the Bose Sport Open Earbuds in the past with good results, and when Sony came out with their take I decided to give them a try. Here’s my opinion on the Sony units. Your mileage may vary.The Sony LinkBuds are small and light, and fit easily in your ear. The different sized stability loops ensure a proper fit. And a proper fit is essential to keep these in your ear and to dial in the sound. With the wrong sized loop, these sound thin and harsh and will pop out of your head. Experiment with the right sized loop for your ear, and the buds will feel locked in, and the sound will be acceptable.I hesitate to talk about the sound, as each of us has different requirements. I was not looking for hifi sound, just a pleasing sound that allowed me to listen to music while letting in ambient sound. The LinkBuds, once I had experimented with fit, met my needs perfectly. If you are bass-head, move on, as you cannot get booming bass out of an open backed earbud.One feature I thought I would love was the speech feature, which cuts the sound when you speak. This worked well on most days, but I find wind will trigger it, so I turn that feature off on very windy days (Which is basically every day on PEI.).I tested the LinkBuds with my iPhone XS, and the app worked flawlessly. I don’t run with my phone, and while I could use the LinkBuds on my older iPod, the app would not load, so functions were more limited.The charging case is tiny and provides an internal battery. I like how the earbuds snap into the case with a satisfying click. I also run with PowerBeats, and have found I often don’t get a correct fit in the case resulting in a dead earbud.Will these replace the Bose? No, as I prefer the warm, tubey Bose signature sound. But I do find the LinkBuds perform better in wind, and do not interfere with the googles I often have to wear in the winter. They each have their advantages, and I will use both happily. If I had to pick one pair, it would be the Bose, but I don’t think Bose is still selling these anymore. They cost the same.Hope that helps, and I wish you all miles of smiles, safely aware of your surroundings.