When you think of essential running gear, headphones might not get the same attention as your shoes or socks—and it makes sense. Headphones don’t physically impact your performance. But any runner knows a good pair of headphones can make training runs far more enjoyable by giving you access to your favourite music or podcasts. Enter Apple AirPods 4, which dropped last month and immediately impressed me. Lightweight, comfortable, with great sound, and surprisingly affordable—they’re shaping up to be the perfect running companion.
I’ve never been the biggest fan of Apple’s previous standard AirPods. They didn’t fit my ears properly, the sound was nothing special, and I preferred earbuds with silicone tips for better noise isolation. But I know many runners love the open design of AirPods for the comfort and simplicity they offer. After a week of running with the new AirPods 4, I was shocked by how light they felt, and I can confidently say they’re a big upgrade for many.
What’s new?
At first glance, the AirPods 4 don’t look drastically different from their predecessor, AirPods 3. Apple has subtly tweaked the shape for a more secure fit, and the charging case is smaller and now features a USB-C connector. But they retain the iconic white design that AirPods are known for. The biggest changes come on the inside. They offer an improved high-quality sound, powered by Apple’s H2 chip, which boosts call clarity and audio performance. Plus, the AirPods 4 are IP54 dust and water-resistant—perfect for sweaty runs or rainy days.
For runners who want to block out the world and zone in to their music, Apple is offering two versions of AirPods 4: the base model (CAD $179) and a premium model (CAD $249). The premium model has built-in active noise cancellation (ANC). When it detects loud external noise, it blocks it, while transparency mode lets you stay aware of your surroundings—which is important when running in busy areas.
Quick-charge battery
Battery life is crucial for long runs, and AirPods 4 have you covered. The standard AirPods 4 offer five hours of listening time (30 hours with the case), while the premium ANC model gives you four hours of playback (20 hours with the case). And if you’re in a last-minute pinch—say your AirPods die just before a 10K training run—fast charging adds an hour of listening time in just five minutes.
The perfect running headphone
While sound quality and battery life are key factors when choosing new headphones, comfort is just as important. What makes the AirPods 4 stand out is their incredibly lightweight design—they won’t feel like you’re carrying ear-weights on long runs. They also fit securely, and with the improved shape, they’re less likely to pop out mid-run. Plus, the sound quality is superb, and the noise cancellation on the premium model helps you stay locked in.
At CAD $179 for the base model and CAD $249 for the ANC version, the AirPods 4 are great for runners who value comfort, great sound and the ability to block out distractions when needed. It doesn’t matter if you’re on the trails or pounding the pavement, Apple AirPods 4 could easily become your new favourite running companion.
