Is it safe to run with headphones in?

H_Ock12

I'm not a fan of listening to anything while I work out, in general....I like to focus solely on the exercises. But the areas that I run in, it would be a major safety concern to not be fully aware of my surroundings....so no headphones here.

AmyOutOfControl

I listen to loud music with earbuds while running. Probably not the safest thing to do but... I like to live dangerously apparently. LOL

Unknown

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MeanderingMammal

Apparently you should also wrap up in cotton wool...

rheddmobile

I wouldn't, since it reduces your situational awareness so much. I'm always surprised at how many people run obliviously past all kinds of wild animals when we run on the trails, then I realize they can't hear anything. It's not just a matter of safety, you're missing out on hearing life.

curleegurl68

I run with headphones and for safety all eyes out. I don’t run in the dark though usually in a park or quiet street

Packerjohn

Gisel2015 wrote: »

czmiles926 wrote: »

Do people run on the pavements with headphones in?
I want to start running and I want to listen to music and use the C25K app but my mum always told me never to walk or run in public with headphones in because you can't hear whos behind you and you're generally less aware of your surroundings. Running without music sounds boring. I know my mum is a bit old school and paranoid about stuff like that but I just wondered what other people's opinions were.

Your mother is not old school and paranoid. She is correct!. When you can't hear what or who is behind or next to you while running or walking, then you are prone to get run over by a bicycle, a car or what is worse harass by any human with bad intentions. You always have to be aware of your surroundings, especially as a woman.

I hope that you don't drive with two set of headphones on, because it is illegal.

Depends where you live. In most states in the US it's perfectly legal.
https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2016/10/31/is-it-legal-to-wear-headphones-while-driving/

With that said, common sense says you don't crank them up too loud.

Gisel2015

Packerjohn wrote: »

Gisel2015 wrote: »

czmiles926 wrote: »

Do people run on the pavements with headphones in?
I want to start running and I want to listen to music and use the C25K app but my mum always told me never to walk or run in public with headphones in because you can't hear whos behind you and you're generally less aware of your surroundings. Running without music sounds boring. I know my mum is a bit old school and paranoid about stuff like that but I just wondered what other people's opinions were.

Your mother is not old school and paranoid. She is correct!. When you can't hear what or who is behind or next to you while running or walking, then you are prone to get run over by a bicycle, a car or what is worse harass by any human with bad intentions. You always have to be aware of your surroundings, especially as a woman.

I hope that you don't drive with two set of headphones on, because it is illegal.

Depends where you live. In most states in the US it's perfectly legal.
https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2016/10/31/is-it-legal-to-wear-headphones-while-driving/

With that said, common sense says you don't crank them up too loud.

Not in California!

Packerjohn

Gisel2015 wrote: »

Packerjohn wrote: »

Gisel2015 wrote: »

czmiles926 wrote: »

Do people run on the pavements with headphones in?
I want to start running and I want to listen to music and use the C25K app but my mum always told me never to walk or run in public with headphones in because you can't hear whos behind you and you're generally less aware of your surroundings. Running without music sounds boring. I know my mum is a bit old school and paranoid about stuff like that but I just wondered what other people's opinions were.

Your mother is not old school and paranoid. She is correct!. When you can't hear what or who is behind or next to you while running or walking, then you are prone to get run over by a bicycle, a car or what is worse harass by any human with bad intentions. You always have to be aware of your surroundings, especially as a woman.

I hope that you don't drive with two set of headphones on, because it is illegal.

Depends where you live. In most states in the US it's perfectly legal.
https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2016/10/31/is-it-legal-to-wear-headphones-while-driving/

With that said, common sense says you don't crank them up too loud.

Not in California!

My original post did not say all. It is legal in more than half the states per the article I posted, that is why I said most.

spiriteagle99

Many of our local races don't allow headphones, because the roads aren't closed to traffic. You can get disqualified for using headphones. I like running with music, but I do many of my runs without so I don't become too dependent on it. I try to keep the sound level low enough I can hear cars coming over hills or around corners when I can't see them coming. I find I actually run better without the music, but I enjoy the longer runs better with it.

kxbrown27

I run before sunrise with ear buds, on the road facing oncoming traffic. There aren't a lot of cars out at that time, but I can plainly see one coming and I jump on the sidewalk until it passes. Just pay attention to your surroundings.

fivelongmiles

I have headphones with three settings - noise cancelling, "normal", and reverse. I keep putting them on reverse, where they amplify the natural sounds, for my walk home... then forgetting and scaring the heck out of myself with loud noises when I get home

Motorsheen

only on a treadmill when running

....... and wearing them while cycling is asking for trouble (and pain)

jenno369

I wear one ear bud, leaving the side where cars/bicycles/other runners may be passing open. The few times I have gotten caught up and decided I "needed" both in, I ended up being startled by something passing me and found it just wasn't worth taking a chance

owieprone

I don't think there's anything wrong with running/walking with loud music, I am always well aware of what's going on around me and roughly who's where. I run/walk like I drive, head on swivel keeping an eye out for idiots, and potential obstacles.

brandiuntz

I run with one headphone in my ear, the other out. Allows me to hear everything around me and stay alert.

stanmann571

As long as you're doing whatever YOU need to do to maintain SA.

I certainly wouldn't use noise cancelling headphones.

steveko89

I get on my wife (who runs more than I do) all the time about having her music too loud. If it's dark she stays in our subdivision but ultimately I'm not sure how much safer that is with the amount of people I see coasting to the stop sign in front of our house texting.

BrianSharpe

Personally I'm a big fan of situational awareness, I also find music distracting while I'm running.

DX2JX2

I run with headphones that allow plenty of ambient noise in (Plantronic Backbeat Fit). Also, since I usually listen to talk radio type podcasts when I run and keep the volume at a 'conversational' level I can still hear everything going on around me.

The thing about hearing your footsteps is a pretty good measure of awareness. If you can hear your sneakers hitting the ground, you can hear enough ambient noise to be safe.

ghudson92

Much like many other posters, I tend not to run outside with headphones on as I like to be able to hear cars, cyclists and other pedestrians. Also, I know from when I cycle, that it is pretty annoying when you ding your bell for someone to give you space to pass and they can't hear because of headphones (I trail cycle, which is obviously shared by runners and dog walkers).

MissMaggieMuffin

georgyporcupine wrote: »

Much like many other posters, I tend not to run outside with headphones on as I like to be able to hear cars, cyclists and other pedestrians. Also, I know from when I cycle, that it is pretty annoying when you ding your bell for someone to give you space to pass and they can't hear because of headphones (I trail cycle, which is obviously shared by runners and dog walkers).

Exactly this. I am amazed on the number of people on trails that have absolutely no situational awareness. When you pass them, they are obviously startled. If person with nefarious intent (!!) came along...........they would have no chance!

MegaMooseEsq

I jog on the sidewalk around my house and the primary thing I worry about is cars. Like 80% worry about cars, 20% worry about tripping on a crack. It's a dense neighborhood but a fairly safe one, but drivers are morons everywhere. I do wear headphones, but not noise-canceling and not too loud. I totally get the importance of situational awareness, but it sounds like your mom might be worried that some stranger will jump out of the bushes at you if you're wearing headphones. Leaving aside the fact that strangers almost never jump out of bushes at anyone, not wearing headphone won't do anything for you if you're zoning out. Just be aware of your surroundings and be really careful at intersections and alleys and driveways.

JillianRumrill

I use headphones, run on sidewalk, and if no sidewalk, run against traffic...and of course stay as close to the shoulder as possible.

twinkles4

I would say no. You should always be aware of your surroundings, but then I'm soooo bad for this. I listen to music WAY to loud and with noise-cancelling headphones. Husband started going with me just because he was tired of sitting on edge until I got home and because I almost got struck by lightening.

Last summer on one of my runs, it was a bit cloudy, but nice and warm still. I had my music going and was about 3k in. You know, I would have heard the rumblings of thunder if my music wasn't so darn loud. I was coming up to a street corner and suddenly POW!!! power pole right beside me got stuck by lightening.

Honestly, it was the loudest, brightest, scariest moment of my life.

jjpptt2

I didn't read all the replies... ok, I didn't read any of the replies, but whatever.

Being "safe" is a relative term. You're "safe" if the risks you're taking are within a comfortable level for you. So what's safe for one person may or may not be safe for someone else. Also, there are a zillion factors that play into your feeling of safety.

Your mother was right... it is easier to lose touch with your surroundings if all ambient noise is blocked/drowned out. How big of an issue that is depends on you, the area in which you run, etc etc.

You can always run with 1 earbud, if you wanted to... I know a lot of people who do that. Personally, I hate headphones, so I can't really speak to your question with any meaningful first hand experience.