, so you know what’s worth your hard-earned dollars this spring.
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ACTIVE.com Spring Tech Guide
Written by
ACTIVE.com
Whether you're in the market for the perfect activity tracker, sleek wireless headphones or a GPS-enabled watch, we've reviewed the latest and greatest in fitness tech
Garmin Forerunner 935
$499-699
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The latest watch in Garmin's Forerunner line is targeted toward a higher tier of athletes not satisfied with merely tracking their workouts, but also looking for intelligent analysis of their entire training cycle.
The Forerunner 935, however, is especially suited for runners due to its ability to pair with Garmin's Running Dynamics Pod, which takes the place of a chest strap and provides runners with a number of metrics. The watch also connects to Strava and TrainingPeaks, feeding your scheduled workouts directly to the watch. To read the in-depth review of this multisport watch, click here.
The Forerunner 935, however, is especially suited for runners due to its ability to pair with Garmin's Running Dynamics Pod, which takes the place of a chest strap and provides runners with a number of metrics. The watch also connects to Strava and TrainingPeaks, feeding your scheduled workouts directly to the watch. To read the in-depth review of this multisport watch, click here.
Altra IQ
$220
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A shoe company was bound to eventually figure out a way to shrink your running coach and stuff them in your shoe, right?
Kidding—sort of.
The Altra IQ, powered by iFit, is a first-of-its-kind smart shoe that measures everything from impact rate and landing zone, to cadence and contact time. When paired with the Altra IQ app, dual shoe sensors allow you to monitor everything about your foot strike with live data and coaching.
Analyzing running data post-run is always helpful, but consistent in-run updates of advanced metrics—not to mention time, distance and pace—allows you to make adjustments and maximize efficiency while on the move.
Ideal for road running, the IQ is relatively lightweight (the women's model weighs in at just 7.4 ounces) and has a stack height of 28mm and a profile perfect for neutral runners.
Kidding—sort of.
The Altra IQ, powered by iFit, is a first-of-its-kind smart shoe that measures everything from impact rate and landing zone, to cadence and contact time. When paired with the Altra IQ app, dual shoe sensors allow you to monitor everything about your foot strike with live data and coaching.
Analyzing running data post-run is always helpful, but consistent in-run updates of advanced metrics—not to mention time, distance and pace—allows you to make adjustments and maximize efficiency while on the move.
Ideal for road running, the IQ is relatively lightweight (the women's model weighs in at just 7.4 ounces) and has a stack height of 28mm and a profile perfect for neutral runners.
Misfit Phase
$175
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If you want more style and class in your everyday fitness tracker, look no further than the Misfit Phase. This tracker looks like nothing more than a classic timepiece, but don't be fooled—it still tracks all the essentials like steps, calories burned, physical activity and sleep, and sends all that data straight to your phone.
With a small touch of a button, the hands of the clock move from telling you the time to updating you on your progress—for example, 3 o'clock means you've completed 25 percent of your activity goal. But that's not all this watch does. It can take a selfie (c'mon, you know you need this), control your music, send you alerts from your phone and even change slides on a presentation.
However, this innovative tracker decided to play it old school in one key area: The Phase doesn't require charging. It comes with a battery that lasts a full six months before it needs replacement.
With a small touch of a button, the hands of the clock move from telling you the time to updating you on your progress—for example, 3 o'clock means you've completed 25 percent of your activity goal. But that's not all this watch does. It can take a selfie (c'mon, you know you need this), control your music, send you alerts from your phone and even change slides on a presentation.
However, this innovative tracker decided to play it old school in one key area: The Phase doesn't require charging. It comes with a battery that lasts a full six months before it needs replacement.
Vi — AI Personal Trainer Earphones
$249.99
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Vi is a personal trainer who lives in your earphones. But unlike other fitness trackers, Vi is an artificial intelligence or AI trainer, which means she learns about a runner's strengths, weakness and tendencies and adjusts accordingly in order to maximize performance and efficiency.
Equipped with aerospace-grade bio-sensors, Vi is constantly measuring heart rate, elevation, cadence, speed, time and location with peak accuracy. There's no need to leave her behind once your run is done, either; Vi can be worn as an all-day tracker, similar to a FitBit. But when you are sweating,
Compatible with iOS and Android.
Equipped with aerospace-grade bio-sensors, Vi is constantly measuring heart rate, elevation, cadence, speed, time and location with peak accuracy. There's no need to leave her behind once your run is done, either; Vi can be worn as an all-day tracker, similar to a FitBit. But when you are sweating,
Compatible with iOS and Android.
Lenz Heat Sock 1.0
$299
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Say goodbye to icy toes. This heat sock from Lenz traps warmth where it tends to escape from first—our extremities—bettering your chance for optimal performance in cold weather.
When your body gets cold, it deploys a number of energy-sucking mechanisms, like shivering, to try to warm back up; Lenz fixes this issue by trapping heat. The integrated heating elements aren't noticeable, and are regulated through your smartphone via Bluetooth. Meanwhile, the machine washable sock does everything else a sock is supposed to do, like transporting moisture away from your skin.
The sock provides heat for up to 14 hours.
When your body gets cold, it deploys a number of energy-sucking mechanisms, like shivering, to try to warm back up; Lenz fixes this issue by trapping heat. The integrated heating elements aren't noticeable, and are regulated through your smartphone via Bluetooth. Meanwhile, the machine washable sock does everything else a sock is supposed to do, like transporting moisture away from your skin.
The sock provides heat for up to 14 hours.
Garmin Varia UT800
$149.99
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Sure, there's plenty of solid bike lights out there. But few—actually, none—come close to Garmin's Varia system, which debuted last year to rave reviews from visibility-conscious cyclists everywhere.
The just announced UT800 builds on that success, boasting a steady 800 lumens for 1.5 hours. The real kicker? When paired with compatible Garmin Edge cycling computers, the UT800 automatically adjusts beam intensity to current light conditions, speed and the ride profile in order to extend battery life. The light can also be manually controlled with a simple touch of the Edge or the included remote.
The light has two versions, urban and trail, and five different light modes—high, medium, low, night flash and day flash. At full strength, it's visible in daylight more than one mile away. Now that's one heck of a bike light.
The just announced UT800 builds on that success, boasting a steady 800 lumens for 1.5 hours. The real kicker? When paired with compatible Garmin Edge cycling computers, the UT800 automatically adjusts beam intensity to current light conditions, speed and the ride profile in order to extend battery life. The light can also be manually controlled with a simple touch of the Edge or the included remote.
The light has two versions, urban and trail, and five different light modes—high, medium, low, night flash and day flash. At full strength, it's visible in daylight more than one mile away. Now that's one heck of a bike light.
TomTom Adventurer Watch
$349
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The TomTom Adventurer watch is one durable outdoors device—whether you're out trail running, mountain biking, snowboarding or skiing, you won't have to worry about this watch letting you down.
The watch comes with all the basics, including a built-in heart rate monitor, water resistance, sleep tracking and more—but with some extras like a built-in music player and a new trail exploration feature that pre-loads trail routes, so you'll never have to worry about finding your way back to the trailhead.
Additional features include real-time stats like altitude, 3D distance, speed, pace and total ascent and descent. Outdoor sports tracking never felt so accessible.
The watch comes with all the basics, including a built-in heart rate monitor, water resistance, sleep tracking and more—but with some extras like a built-in music player and a new trail exploration feature that pre-loads trail routes, so you'll never have to worry about finding your way back to the trailhead.
Additional features include real-time stats like altitude, 3D distance, speed, pace and total ascent and descent. Outdoor sports tracking never felt so accessible.
Roka Maverick X
$900
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Roka's Maverick X wetsuit is, quite simply, the freest, fastest wetsuit ever built. Engineered with an emphasis on better mechanics, less effort and no shoulder strain, the key breakthrough of the Maverick X is the setting of the upper limbs in the arms-down position, defying the conventional design paradigm. To put it more simply, you don't swim with your arms down, right? So why, then, would you design a wetsuit that way?
In addition to unrestrained shoulder mobility, the Maverick X has fine-tuned buoyancy and added new, independent neck paneling and suspension for better comfort, fit and seal. To prove that Roka truly thought of everything, even the forearms received attention, and are crafted with an Italian stretch-woven textile that minimizes the boundary between the arm and water to maximize proprioception, speed and hydrodynamics. What does all of this mean in laymen's terms? You're gonna go fast—real fast. Just trust us.
In addition to unrestrained shoulder mobility, the Maverick X has fine-tuned buoyancy and added new, independent neck paneling and suspension for better comfort, fit and seal. To prove that Roka truly thought of everything, even the forearms received attention, and are crafted with an Italian stretch-woven textile that minimizes the boundary between the arm and water to maximize proprioception, speed and hydrodynamics. What does all of this mean in laymen's terms? You're gonna go fast—real fast. Just trust us.
Vanhawks Valour
Starting at $1,299
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Vanhawks bills the Valour as the world's first fully-connected smart bike—a lofty claim for a project that was only funded on Kickstarter less than two years ago. Now, a year into their production cycle, the Valour is finally starting to deliver on their promise to radically enhance the urban commute.
The Valour has a few features you might expect from a smart bike, like integrated head and tail lights, and built-in sensors to track speed, distance and length of ride; as well as a few unexpected ones that elevate it beyond novelty status. For example, enter your destination into your connected smartphone, and you'll receive turn-by-turn directions from a series of LEDs built into the handlebars. Not impressed yet? A built-in gyroscope, accelerometer and magnetometer pick up on potholes and rough terrain, creating a Google Maps overlay that informs other riders, via the app, of a route's topography. Worried about the battery life on the bike's electronics? The dynamo hub on the front wheel will have everything fully charged—while you ride—in an hour.
Oh, and did we mention it's carbon?
The Valour has a few features you might expect from a smart bike, like integrated head and tail lights, and built-in sensors to track speed, distance and length of ride; as well as a few unexpected ones that elevate it beyond novelty status. For example, enter your destination into your connected smartphone, and you'll receive turn-by-turn directions from a series of LEDs built into the handlebars. Not impressed yet? A built-in gyroscope, accelerometer and magnetometer pick up on potholes and rough terrain, creating a Google Maps overlay that informs other riders, via the app, of a route's topography. Worried about the battery life on the bike's electronics? The dynamo hub on the front wheel will have everything fully charged—while you ride—in an hour.
Oh, and did we mention it's carbon?
PowerBlock Dumbbells, U33 Set
$298
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Though not strictly tech, these innovative dumbbells from PowerBlock are changing the strength training game, especially for anyone who loves to work out at home. The U33 set, which contains 3 to 33 pounds of weight, replaces—are you ready for this—25 pairs of dumbbells and 866 pounds of free weights. That's a lot of floor space you're freeing up with one product.
Here's how it works: The dumbbells come with a selector pin in each set, which you slide in and out to select the weight you want. It's a quick and easy way to move from one weight to the next, and because the product comes with two one-pound "adder" weights in the handle, you can customize the weight to whatever you need. The square construction also makes the dumbbells ideal for push-ups with an added row (you won't risk rolling!), and you have a choice between holding it with one hand or two—perfect for tricep extensions.
The weights go up to 125 pounds for anyone seeking more resistance.
Here's how it works: The dumbbells come with a selector pin in each set, which you slide in and out to select the weight you want. It's a quick and easy way to move from one weight to the next, and because the product comes with two one-pound "adder" weights in the handle, you can customize the weight to whatever you need. The square construction also makes the dumbbells ideal for push-ups with an added row (you won't risk rolling!), and you have a choice between holding it with one hand or two—perfect for tricep extensions.
The weights go up to 125 pounds for anyone seeking more resistance.
Decibullz Moldable Earphones
$119.99
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All runners have at least one thing in common: an unadulterated hatred for ill-fitting earphones.
With a minimalist design, Decibullz' wireless offering is nothing but a nondescript rubber cable and—in the case of our test sample—two bright blue, soon-to-be custom molded earbuds.
No different than how you'd mold a mouthpiece, your Decibullz earphones customize perfectly for your ears with an easy heat and shape system that creates a secure, comfortable fit that doesn't slide and allows for maximum sound performance.
Decibullz Moldable Wireless Earphones come equipped with AptX High Definition Audio Streaming, Bluetooth 4.1 and voice control compatibility.
With a minimalist design, Decibullz' wireless offering is nothing but a nondescript rubber cable and—in the case of our test sample—two bright blue, soon-to-be custom molded earbuds.
No different than how you'd mold a mouthpiece, your Decibullz earphones customize perfectly for your ears with an easy heat and shape system that creates a secure, comfortable fit that doesn't slide and allows for maximum sound performance.
Decibullz Moldable Wireless Earphones come equipped with AptX High Definition Audio Streaming, Bluetooth 4.1 and voice control compatibility.
KS Lev Circuit
$546.99
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The dropper post revolution is finally here, and Kind Shock—better known as KS—is leading the charge with the wirelessly operated Lev Circuit. But before we get into specs, let's back up a bit.
Dropper seatposts were first popularized in mountain biking, where the ability to raise or lower your seat with the push of a button can give you optimal saddle height for climbing and descending (higher for climbing, lower for descents).
The Lev Circuit takes the concept a step further by stowing a battery in the seat tube and allowing the rider to wirelessly control the post with an underbar remote, powered by a simple coin cell battery. Designed to pair with a 1x drivetrain setup, the battery charges via a USB port and will last around 600 cycles (or around five long rides).
Dropper seatposts were first popularized in mountain biking, where the ability to raise or lower your seat with the push of a button can give you optimal saddle height for climbing and descending (higher for climbing, lower for descents).
The Lev Circuit takes the concept a step further by stowing a battery in the seat tube and allowing the rider to wirelessly control the post with an underbar remote, powered by a simple coin cell battery. Designed to pair with a 1x drivetrain setup, the battery charges via a USB port and will last around 600 cycles (or around five long rides).
ZBam GekkoPod Universal Smartphone Mount
$24.95
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Sometimes, the simplest technological advancements are right in front of us. Such is the case with the GekkoPod, a feather light and super versatile smartphone and action camera mount from ZBam.
Made from a durable silicone outer and boasting a steel internal structure, the GekkoPod can be used for just about anything your active lifestyle requires: Mount it on gym equipment to record your workout, use it underwater to check swim form or just go old school and take a sweet selfie. Better yet? It even glows in the dark.
Made from a durable silicone outer and boasting a steel internal structure, the GekkoPod can be used for just about anything your active lifestyle requires: Mount it on gym equipment to record your workout, use it underwater to check swim form or just go old school and take a sweet selfie. Better yet? It even glows in the dark.
Moondog Labs 1.33x Anamorphic Adapter Lens
$175
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If you're like us and love to take pictures but don't want to deal with the weight of a DSLR camera—or risk the elements ruining its expensive architecture—you'll love Moondog Labs' Anamorphic Adapter Lens. It's no bigger than a golf ball, fits snugly with your phone and, here's the best part, allows you to turn those mediocre smartphone shots into professional-level panoramic views. Or, if you're more into nature videography, this adapter lens is perfect for amateur filmmakers as well.
LUCK Potentiometer
~$218 per shoe
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Want to invest in a power meter, but frustrated by the equipment limitations?
It's your lucky day—literally. LUCK has developed a power meter that is integrated into the sole of your cycling shoe, so not only do you not have to worry about yet another piece of equipment, you can measure real-time performance with each and every stroke of the pedal.
These shoes don't just measure watts, cadence and speed like any old power meter, either. The LUCK Potentiometer has the ability to let you know just how many watts it will take to complete a challenging climb or take a time trial at 50km/hour.
It's your lucky day—literally. LUCK has developed a power meter that is integrated into the sole of your cycling shoe, so not only do you not have to worry about yet another piece of equipment, you can measure real-time performance with each and every stroke of the pedal.
These shoes don't just measure watts, cadence and speed like any old power meter, either. The LUCK Potentiometer has the ability to let you know just how many watts it will take to complete a challenging climb or take a time trial at 50km/hour.
Fitbit Alta HR
$179.95
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If you're having trouble getting up and moving each day, then it's probably time to get a Fitbit, and we recommend the Alta HR.
This super slim fitness tracker has everything you need to prioritize your health: It tracks your activity (including your steps), analyzes your heart rate, reminds you to move and tells you how many calories you burned each day. You will even get notifications to your wrist, so you don't have to stop a workout when your phone goes off.
Fitbit also recently added Sleep Stages technology to the Alta. Gone are the days of simply knowing how many hours you slept—now, you can know whether you were in light sleep, deep sleep or the ever-important REM Sleep. The Alta syncs wirelessly with your phone, too, so all you need is the Fitbit app to view your data.
Best yet? The device goes a whole week before needing to be charged.
This super slim fitness tracker has everything you need to prioritize your health: It tracks your activity (including your steps), analyzes your heart rate, reminds you to move and tells you how many calories you burned each day. You will even get notifications to your wrist, so you don't have to stop a workout when your phone goes off.
Fitbit also recently added Sleep Stages technology to the Alta. Gone are the days of simply knowing how many hours you slept—now, you can know whether you were in light sleep, deep sleep or the ever-important REM Sleep. The Alta syncs wirelessly with your phone, too, so all you need is the Fitbit app to view your data.
Best yet? The device goes a whole week before needing to be charged.
Wahoo Elemnt Bolt
$249.99
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Have you ever wished your bike computer was more aerodynamic? Of course you have. Well, you're in luck. Wahoo has developed a new device that is as sleek as you can get (goodbye, wind resistance), making your ride as smooth as possible while still delivering the data you need.
This 100 percent wireless GPS emphasizes simplicity—there are no funny buttons or confusing settings to deal with. Just strap it to your bike and get riding. With turn-by-turn navigation, Strava live segments and more, you'll have more trouble trying to find something this bike computer doesn't do.
This 100 percent wireless GPS emphasizes simplicity—there are no funny buttons or confusing settings to deal with. Just strap it to your bike and get riding. With turn-by-turn navigation, Strava live segments and more, you'll have more trouble trying to find something this bike computer doesn't do.
Apple AirPods
$159
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So you've already got a pair of wireless headphones, but you're tired of that pesky, remaining wire always getting in the way (we thought wireless actually meant no wires). Apple's AirPods are here to take your troubles away.
At first glance, you may think there's no way this product has any staying power, but we've got great news. Whether you're running, cycling, walking in high winds or even doing somersaults, these headphones will not budge one iota. Plus, no need to worry about deciding whether to listen to music or charge your new iPhone 7—you can do both if you have the AirPods.
Syncing the AirPods to your device is literally as simple as opening the lid to the compact carrying case. Don't have an iPhone? The Apple AirPods also work with Androids, Windows and pretty much any other phone, tablet or computer you can think of. Well, maybe not Grandma's old flip phone.
At first glance, you may think there's no way this product has any staying power, but we've got great news. Whether you're running, cycling, walking in high winds or even doing somersaults, these headphones will not budge one iota. Plus, no need to worry about deciding whether to listen to music or charge your new iPhone 7—you can do both if you have the AirPods.
Syncing the AirPods to your device is literally as simple as opening the lid to the compact carrying case. Don't have an iPhone? The Apple AirPods also work with Androids, Windows and pretty much any other phone, tablet or computer you can think of. Well, maybe not Grandma's old flip phone.
Night Runner 270
$49.95 (pair)
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It's not every day that a new innovation successfully debuts in the exhausted running tech market, but the Night Runner 270—basically headlights for your shoes—are Shark Tank-approved. The Night Runners are lightweight clip-in lights designed to guide your steps in lowlight conditions and keep you safe and visible on the streets, lighting your path up to 30 feet.
The lights have three different lighting options—low, high and flashing—with 270 degrees of visibility. The Night Runners are rechargeable with a Y-USB cable that allows you to charge both units with just one cord, and the battery life is guaranteed on high for at least four hours. They're also waterproof—so, you're basically all out of excuses to get that daily run in.
The lights have three different lighting options—low, high and flashing—with 270 degrees of visibility. The Night Runners are rechargeable with a Y-USB cable that allows you to charge both units with just one cord, and the battery life is guaranteed on high for at least four hours. They're also waterproof—so, you're basically all out of excuses to get that daily run in.
GoPro Hero5 Session
$299.99
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If you don't already own a GoPro, or you do own one but it's an older version, now is the time for an upgrade. GoPro recently released the Hero5 Session, and it's well worth the investment. It's completely waterproof and has impeccable 4K video quality, voice control and built in stabilization to make your action shots look like you're reliving the experience first hand.
The Hero5 Black comes with the simple one-touch display that's built in (meaning no extra casing), but the Hero5 Session is cheaper. The Session uses your phone as the view finder—if you need one— and GoPro now has specific apps to help you immediately transfer your footage or pictures to your phone over Bluetooth for easy editing and posting.
The Hero5 Black comes with the simple one-touch display that's built in (meaning no extra casing), but the Hero5 Session is cheaper. The Session uses your phone as the view finder—if you need one— and GoPro now has specific apps to help you immediately transfer your footage or pictures to your phone over Bluetooth for easy editing and posting.
Lazer Bullet Aero Road Helmet
Price TBA
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Aerodynamics and ventilation have always been at war when it comes to cycling helmets, but Lazer aims to change that with their new Bullet Aero Road Helmet.
Unveiled at Eurobike 2016 and available to consumers this spring, the Bullet is, at first glance, a fairly standard aero helmet with a narrow, drop-like shape and a small frontal area perfect for slicing through the air. But the unique ventilation system is where Lazer's innovation truly shines, allowing a rider to choose between a cooler head (vent open) or maximum aero benefit (vent closed). Easily adjustable on the fly, this helmet promises to be a hit with triathletes and bike racers alike—expect to see it all over T1 by summer.
Unveiled at Eurobike 2016 and available to consumers this spring, the Bullet is, at first glance, a fairly standard aero helmet with a narrow, drop-like shape and a small frontal area perfect for slicing through the air. But the unique ventilation system is where Lazer's innovation truly shines, allowing a rider to choose between a cooler head (vent open) or maximum aero benefit (vent closed). Easily adjustable on the fly, this helmet promises to be a hit with triathletes and bike racers alike—expect to see it all over T1 by summer.
Bose SoundSport Pulse Wireless Headphones
$150
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Wireless has become the new norm for fitness-focused headphones, and if you've ever run untethered, then you can understand why—the freedom and minimal fuss of no wires makes it hard to go back to the old model.
These SoundSport Pulse headphones from Bose not only capitalize on the wireless trend, they also add a built-in heart rate sensor. With the Bose Connect app, you can monitor your workout efforts in real time and receive in-ear coaching that will tell you when to push harder or when to slow down.
Another great feature is the inline mic. Not only can you use it to discreetly turn up or lower your volume, but you can also take calls without reaching for your phone. All those features combined with five hours of battery life, and your long run just got a whole lot easier.
These SoundSport Pulse headphones from Bose not only capitalize on the wireless trend, they also add a built-in heart rate sensor. With the Bose Connect app, you can monitor your workout efforts in real time and receive in-ear coaching that will tell you when to push harder or when to slow down.
Another great feature is the inline mic. Not only can you use it to discreetly turn up or lower your volume, but you can also take calls without reaching for your phone. All those features combined with five hours of battery life, and your long run just got a whole lot easier.
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