What To Look For
You can find sport headphones to fit any budget. The biggest considerations will be comfort and the ability of the headphones to stay put when you're skiing down a mountain, biking in the backcountry, or running on gnarly trails. Sound quality is the third factor to look at, but if you can't afford to spend much, you may have to compromise here.
Common Pitfalls
Some models aren't waterproof or water-resistant, which makes them useless for those who are going to be sweating a lot while using them, or going out in the rain. If the headphone cord is too short or it gets easily tangled, it won't be practical to use while moving around. If the earpieces are uncomfortable or too loose, you'll be distracted as you adjust them repeatedly while trying to work out or play.
Where To Buy
Sennheiser, Nike and Sony offer sport headphones in multiple styles and price points and are available at Apple retail stores. The Apple website has more than 20 headphones for sale, including soft earbud models and models that go around the back of the head as well as models that go around the back of the ears.
Cost
The cheapest sport headphones can be purchased for $10 or less at discount stores. If you want more comfort and security, be prepared to spend $25 to $40. For top of the line headphones with great fit, durability, water-resistance and excellent sound quality, the cost can run between $60 and $140. All prices in this section are current as of September 2010.
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