True story: I was recently at a trail run where one of the participants pulled into the midpoint aid station and said (I’m paraphrasing): “Punch me out. I’m done. My headphones broke, and the thought of running any farther without music is too depressing.”

An extreme reaction, to be sure, but I think we can all relate. There’s nothing more frustrating than having your earphones die when you need them the most…well, except when they only mostly die. One ear works but the other doesn’t, or the sound cuts in and out, or the earbuds won’t stay in place.

Fortunately, I found the Yurbuds Inspire 400 while at my local Fleet Feet store. They retailed for $49.99, but I’ve had my brushes with other so-called “sport earphones” and decided I’d try something a little more premium. It was well worth every penny!

Not only are these earphones ergonomically designed for long-lasting comfort, they come in women’s specific sizes for a more accurate and secure fit. They also have strong bass response and a handy three-button “command center” and microphone for music and calls on your Apple mobile device.

The fit on the Inspire 400 is unbeatable. The TwistLock feature guarantees they’ll stay in place at variety of different angles and never fall out. The earphones also allow ambient noise to seep in, helping to keep you aware of your surroundings while running or cycling. They’re sweat-proof, and the flexible silicone eartips are easy to remove for cleaning.

I love the microphone and inline control feature; you can answer and end a call, and control the volume and music track, all with push-button ease. Another feature I like are the Quick Clik tangle-free magnets, which prevent the earphones from getting all knotted up. I use them when I’m not listening to music and loop the cord around my neck; the magnets hold the earphones in place and keep them from dangling loose.

The only con I’ve found is that, on occasion, there are some distorts on deep bass tracks at high volumes. But, for me personally, a secure fit is the priority when running long distances, and therefore, the sound issues aren’t a deal breaker. www.yurbuds.com

Author: Shalini Kovach is a regular contributor to Terrain magazine and is the lead organizer of Terrain Trail Runners