Best Snowboarding Headphones

Enjoying the slopes while enjoying some of your favourite music is a luxury that many snowboarders would like to have set up for trips to the mountain.

There are a number of ways to bring your music with you to the slopes. You can bring a portable speaker with you and let it play out loud, or invest in a backpack with a built-in audio system. The only problem with these methods is the fact that your music will be audible to people around you and may disturb their day on the hill.

One of the best ways to bring your favourite music with you on your snowboarding trips is to find a quality set of snowboarding headphones or helmet audio device. This way, your music will be fed directly into your ears with no audio loss to your surroundings, and will ensure that no one around you is disturbed.

As snow sports and mountain activities steadily gain popularity, the market for listening devices, headphones, headsets and built-in audio devices made especially for these situations is constantly growing.

Music can truly add to the thrill and pleasure of your mountain experience, and when hitting the powder on your own terms means taking a work call on the slopes, a quality set of headphones or audio kit will allow just that.

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Smith Aleck 006 Wireless Helmet Audio Kit

✅ Universally compatible
✅ In-helmet acoustic design
✅ GPS function

❌ Square shaped

$130.00 Shop Now Shop Now

After Shokz Aeropex Headphones

✅ Dual noise-canceling mic
✅ OpenFit design
✅ 10 days of standby time

❌ Vibrations at high volumes

$159.95 Shop Now Shop Now

Outdoor Tech Wired Chips Universal Helmet Audio System

✅ Glove-friendly controls
✅ Compatible with any audio helmet
✅ Comes with a carry pouch

❌ Low quality aux cable

$25.93 Shop Now

Rating and ranking

Let’s discuss five of our favourite products on the market and some of the best snowboarding headphones available today.

Best Snowboarding Headphones – Reviews & Buying Guide for 2021

• Smith Aleck 006 Wireless Helmet Audio Kit
• After Shokz Aeropex Headphones
• Outdoor Tech Wired Chips Universal Helmet Audio System
• JBL Endurance Sprint Wireless Sport Headphones
• Smith Aleck 006 Wired Helmet Audio Kit

Best Overall: Smith Aleck 006 Wireless Helmet Audio Kit

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• Microphone: Yes
• Volume Control: Yes
• Wireless: Yes

• Weight: 2.7 ounces

The Smith Aleck 006 Wireless Helmet Audio Kit is our first and definitely one of our favorite products on this review list. Although it isn’t technically a set of “headphones”, this wireless helmet audio kit provides high quality sound, with a compact and seamless integration design.

The Smith Aleck 006 helmet audio kit comes equipped with full audio and volume controls for easy listening preference adjustment at all times. This product is also designed to be capable of seamlessly connecting and maintaining hands-free phone calls thanks to the power of voice command software (Siri and Google Assistant). In addition, this wireless helmet audio system comes with a one-touch, simple push-to-talk walkie talkie.

The Smith Aleck Audio Kit allows users to connect the system to their bluetooth enabled device from their audio-compatible helmet, and enjoy up to 10 straight hours of uninterrupted music play time. The basic direct-line and high quality bass boosted audio capabilities, as well as advanced iPhone and Android compatibility features that cater to virtually all cell phones truly make this wireless helmet audio kit a great option. Designed with universally compatible ear pads and super-thin, easily installed drivers ensures that there will be absolutely no need to invest time into reading a lengthy set up instruction manual.

One of the super cool and unique features that the Smith Aleck wireless helmet audio kit provides is the Aleck GO! App for both iOS and Android operating systems. This app can be used to control the one-touch walkie talkie system, as well as a fully customizable audio EQ interface that allows for in-helmet acoustic adjustments that will help create the best listening experience for each user’s preferences.

When it comes to locating lost group members or getting your bearings and situating yourself on the mountain, the built-in GPS capabilities will provide the peace of mind that you and your fellow mountaineers need. All of this technology has been rigorously tested and proven to function perfectly in temperatures down to -4°F (-20°C). Not to mention the IPX4 sweat and water resistance functionality.

The Smith Aleck wireless helmet audio kit operates on a rechargeable lithium-polymer 250 mAh battery that can be charged with the extra common micro-USB cable, which comes included with purchase. In terms of dimensions, this compact audio kit comes in at 2.1 inches by 2.1 inches by 0.57 inches, and 2.7 ounces in weight. It provides a maximum volume of 120 decibels and comes with a sleek carrying case.

In terms of potential downsides, this audio kit will only be usable in audio-compatible helmets that offer the right design features to integrate your device. As a result, customers who do not have the right style of helmet may need to invest in one that supports an audio set up.

Runner-Up: After Shokz Aeropex Headphones

 

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• Microphone: Yes
• Volume Control: Yes
• Wireless: Yes
• Weight: 0.9 ounces

The After Shokz Aeropex Headphones are another high quality product that definitely deserve to be among the best snowboarding headphones available today.

The After Shokz headphones are crafted with bone conduction technology that are designed to deliver music through the user’s cheekbones. This quality helps to ensure that the ears remain uncovered and are therefore completely open and allow the user to hear surrounding sounds clearly. For snowboarding, especially on backcountry and uncharted terrain, it is incredibly important for riders to be able to listen for warning sounds and other people communicating in case of emergency situations. With the After Shokz Aeropex Headphones, users can listen to their music while maintaining their ability to pay attention to sounds in their immediate environment. This trademarked OpenFit design is dedicated to ensuring situational awareness for riders.

The re-angled transducers with significantly reduced vibration characteristics provide enhanced sound quality while PremiumPitch 2.0+ technology delivers dynamic stereo sound and greater volume capacity. The Shokz Aeropex headphones have dual noise-canceling mics to minimize surrounding noise for clear communication on any voice calls. Bluetooth version 5.0 delivers reliable connectivity to devices up to 10 meters. The Shokz Aeropex headphones are programmed with trademarked AerAudrey Says voice prompts that provide guidance for power usage and pairing.

The full wraparound titanium design provides a sleek look and flexible fit for maximum comfort and stability. An 8 hour battery life allows for a full day of use for everything from music to phone calls and podcasts. These headphones charge fully in 2 hours time using the magnetic charging cable that has moisture detection alert capabilities.

An IP67 rating means that the Shokz Aeropex headphones are considered dustproof and waterproof up to a submersion of 1 meter for 30 minutes. These headphones weigh in at less than 1 ounce, and are covered by a 2 year manufacturer’s warranty.

Alternative: Outdoor Tech Wired Chips Universal Helmet Audio System

 

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• Microphone: Yes
• Volume Control: Yes
• Wireless: No
• Weight: 2.24 ounces

The Outdoor Tech Wired Chips Universal Helmet Audio System is another high quality product that belongs in our list of the best snowboarding headphones on the market today. A collection of great features make this a great choice for the backcountry rider.

This helmet audio system is designed with glove-friendly inline controls and mic that allow users to mute and unmute sound, adjust volume and seamlessly answer calls without removing their helmet or gloves. The full-range 40 millimeter drivers are set firmly in the disk-shaped casing. The housing enhances in-helmet acoustics, creating an amazing high fidelity audio experience.

The Outdoor Tech Wired Chips Helmet Audio System is compatible with helmets that have audio drop in slots provided by the specific helmet manufacturers. These include Bern, Giro, Smith, Anon, PRO-TEC, Bolle and many more. An IPX-4 rating indicates sweat and water-resistance. Tested to work at temperatures down to -4 degrees fahrenheit, or -20 degrees Celsius. Comes with a carrying case, manual and stickers.

In terms of potential negative aspects, there have been a few reports from customers that the product may lose function periodically, and when customer service is contacted the troubleshooting efforts are somewhat lackluster. Aside from this drawback, the Outdoor Tech Wired Chips Helmet Audio System is a great purchase!

Alternative: JBL Endurance Sprint Wireless Sport Headphones

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• Microphone: Yes
• Volume Control: Yes
• Wireless: Yes
• Weight: 0.5 ounces

The JBL Endurance Sprint Wireless Sport Headphones are a quality product that deserve a spot on our review list of the best snowboarding headphones available today.

These sport headphones are designed with wireless bluetooth that streams audio for up to 8 hours time on a single full charge. The battery can be quickly recharged in 15 minutes for another hour of music playback time.

The JBL Endurance Sprint headphones are incredibly lightweight, and the in-ear design is perfect for your high octane mountain rides, workouts and any other adventures. The magnetic earbuds offer a comfortable and completely secure fit, while the IPX7 waterproof rating ensures that rain, sweat, melted snow and any splashes are nothing to worry about.

The JBL Endurance sprint wireless headphones are equipped with touch control capabilities that allow users to adjust their music with ease on the go. These headphones are super lightweight, coming in at approximately half of an ounce total. Many customers enjoy the over ear looping fit for comfort and stability. One of the only potential drawbacks is the possibility for unintentional touch responses to bumping or other friction on the receiver.

Alterantive: Smith Aleck 006 Wired Helmet Audio Kit

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• Microphone: Yes
• Volume Control: Yes
• Wireless: No
• Weight: 2.7 ounces

The Smith Aleck 006 Wired Helmet Audio Kit is the fifth and final product in our review and another one of the best snowboarding headphones available.

Designed with Siri and Google Assistant volume control, users can adjust volume on the fly with simple voice commands. The built-in microphone also allows seamless hands-free calling capabilities, no need to remove your gloves or helmet.

The Smith Aleck 006 helmet audio kit comes equipped with full audio and volume controls for easy listening preference adjustment at all times. This product is also designed to be capable of seamlessly connecting and maintaining hands-free phone calls thanks to the power of voice command software (Siri and Google Assistant). In addition, this wireless helmet audio system comes with a one-touch, simple push-to-talk walkie talkie.

When it comes to locating lost group members or getting your bearings and situating yourself on the mountain, the built-in GPS capabilities will provide the peace of mind that you and your fellow mountaineers need. All of this technology has been rigorously tested and proven to function perfectly in temperatures down to -4°F (-20°C). Not to mention the IPX4 sweat and water resistance functionality.

The Smith Aleck wireless helmet audio kit operates on a rechargeable lithium-polymer 250 mAh battery that can be charged with the extra common micro-USB cable, which comes included with purchase. In terms of dimensions, this compact audio kit comes in at 2.1 inches by 2.1 inches by 0.57 inches, and 2.7 ounces in weight. It provides a maximum volume of 120 decibels and comes with a sleek carrying case.

Snowboarding HeadPhones FAQ

Can You Wear Headphones Snowboarding?

Music and winter sports like snowboarding and skiing are often enjoyed together, combining the incredible mountain experience with the many pleasantries that music can offer.

The market for snowboarding headphones has been steadily growing as the sport has become more popular over the years. The question of whether or not you can wear headphones snowboarding, involves a number of aspects.

Safety

Wearing certain types of headphones while snowboarding will cause riders to hear less of the sounds coming from their surroundings and environment, and more of the sound coming from their headphones.

As a result, it can in some situations be dangerous to wear headphones while snowboarding. It will be hard to hear warning or help calls from other riders, as well other potentially important alert sounds. It is always possible to keep your volume at a reasonable level, or to find headphones that do not physically cover your ear canals.

Comfort

You can definitely wear headphones snowboarding, however certain makes or models may not fit properly and fall out, or will cause discomfort after long periods of time with them on.

It is important to test out your headphones before purchasing them, in order to ensure that they fit your ear shape properly and will not cause any discomfort during a long day on the slopes.

Reliability

The relative reliability of a set of headphones is another aspect to consider. Wireless headphones or helmet audio systems will often be controlled by bluetooth connection.

How Do You Use Ski Earbuds?

There are a number of different styles of ski earbuds that feature different design characteristics including shape, size, material, and style of fit. People should test a range of different earbuds to find the ones that fit best and feel the most comfortable for their ears.

Ski earbuds can be wireless or wired, and are used by inserting the buds into the opening of your ear canals. It is important to find a pair of earbuds that fit nicely into the shape and unique formation of your ears.

Be careful when inserting the earbuds, as it can be very dangerous to push them in too far. This can potentially cause severe damage to your ear drums, which can be incredibly painful as well.

There are various styles of earbud, some will be more ergonomic and as a result will be more forgiving and fit seamlessly. There are also ski earbuds that have removable buds that are made out of gel.

These can be replaced if they begin to lose they’re staying power, or can be switched out for different sizes, shapes and materials if the original buds are not ideal for the user.

Ski earbuds are a great option for skiers looking to infuse some of their favourite music into their days on the slopes. Be sure to find a quality pair that fits comfortably, stays secure, and provides great audio.

Is It Good To Listen To Music While Snowboarding?

The true answer to the question of whether or not it is good to listen to music while snowboarding is that it depends on a number of situational aspects.

Many riders enjoy listening to music on the slopes, however there are things to keep in mind in order to keep yourself and the people around you safe.

Volume

The most important rule for skiing or snowboarding while listening to music, podcasts or any other audio is to make absolutely sure you can still hear important sounds in your immediate surroundings.

Test your headphones with your device’s volume range and do your best to find a volume that allows you to enjoy your music, without losing your ability to hear what is going on around you. Remember, it is always better to be safe than sorry.

Situation

It is also very important to consider situational aspects in order to determine whether it is appropriate to be listening to music on the slopes.

If you are planning on going to a popular mountain or ski resort that is heavily populated and will have high-traffic slopes, it is in some cases better to decide against the headphones that day.

If you are solo or with a small group in a large and open space where all riders have plenty of room to ski in their own zone, it makes more sense to have your headphones in and your music playing.

It is also important to consider your environment and the terrain on which you are riding. Large mountains that pose the potential for avalanche danger or other environmental disasters may call for a music free expedition, for your own safety.

This is obviously all up to your own discretion. Evaluate your riding situation and decide for yourself whether having your music playing is a responsible and safe choice.

Usability

Usability refers to how the device is operated and used on a daily basis. Is it easy for users to maneuver the controls like volume, pause and play, wireless bluetooth calling?

During a day on the slopes, can you change your song or adjust the volume without taking off your gloves and helmet? If your friend is on the lift with you can you make the necessary adjustments to hear them talking to you without dropping half of your gear into the ravine below?

The practicality and usability of a set of headphones or audio kit is another important aspect to consider. You definitely do not want to be fumbling around with your technology every 30 minutes in the middle of a nice day on the slopes!

Can You Snowboard With AirPods?

Snowboarding with airpods seems to have its advantages and disadvantages. There are many people who have used their airpods for snowboarding and skiing trips and had no problems whatsoever, while others have reported experiencing a few different issues while riding with their airpods.

One of the main drawbacks of snowboarding with airpods is the fact that they are not connected to anything and therefore can be easily lost if they come dislodged from your ear and fall out.

To add insult to injury, airpods are white and are incredibly difficult to find in the white snow. Air pods are very expensive and are not cheap to replace, so be aware of this potential issue.

Another issue that has been reported by airpod users is the fact that the hanging piece that is connected to the actual earbud of the airpods can put pressure on the user’s ears when the helmet ear pads or other head covering press it down. This can cause significant discomfort, and during a full day on the slopes is a potential concern.

Snowboarding or skiing with airpods does however offer a number of positive factors as well. The lack of hanging wires ensures that there is no chance for catches or snags that will pull your earbuds out, and eliminates the need to manage wires within your gear setup.

Airpods also offer touch control pause and play capabilities, which is incredibly useful for riding the slopes and avoiding constant fiddling with your music. Users have reported being able to touch the outside of their helmet’s ear pads and have the air pod underneath respond as desired.

In the end, it is up the rider themself to decide whether or not airpods are the right choice for their mountain riding music needs. Depending on the situation and their preferences, airpods may or may not be the way to go.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we have discussed some of the best snowboarding headphones on the market today, and what exactly makes them so great.

We have also covered some of the more frequently asked questions regarding riding the slopes with headphones including safety, scenario and convenience.

Take these things into consideration if you are planning to purchase a set of headphones for your skiing or snowboarding adventures, and above all, be safe!

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