Shokz OpenSwim Pro Review - Unsponsored!

It's a non-sponsored video but if it helped a click in the links below would be much appreciated as always! Any questions - drop them in comments below.
Shokz OpenSwim Pro (🇺🇸) - amzn.to/4bUHdip (or for the UK 🇬🇧 amzn.to/3VzgRLJ)
Cheaper headphones (🇺🇸) - amzn.to/4codqhR

[@JakeOski]

Just as a heads up - after many of you've asked about this, I've reached out to Shokz to see if they're planning on brining back option to switch between the folders in future firmware updates. Here's what came back: "Openswim pro has cancelled the folder switching function, and can only play in the order of folder import. This is a product definition and cannot be improved by upgrading the firmware. We are sorry for the inconvenience."

[@ZenEndurance]

Agreed. I've been a user of the regular Shokz for years and used to swim with music a long time ago. A never bought Shokz's swim headphones because they are really limited (no bluetooth) but also was having to buy a new set of regular Shokz every year because my sweat would eventually kill them. Finally, a pair that is both totally waterproof AND bluetooth AND mp3 capable! I wear them for everything and they just work. Yes, they need help with the music selection while swimming... but that hopefully is coming and it's nice to have it at all. And it's so cool to come in from a bike ride or run and just go straight into the shower or jump in the pool without having to worry about getting them too wet. Splashproof is ok, but truly waterproof is way better and more convenient for sure.

[@Owski87]

Hi, can you hear a difference in sound quality between openrun pro and the new openswim pro?

[@gomriria2197]

What is coming?

[@sebkeccu4546]

I love the upgrade from 4GB (not enough) to 32GB , we can now hold up to 10.000 songs by putting them in folders on the headphones, however they forgot to add a "Next folder" feature, which makes it impossible to use the 32GB because you cant navigate.I for example have put a folder of audio books, a folde rwith podcasts and a folder with all my music, but the playing always starts at the first folder, so you have to click hundreds of times the next button. I hope one day they make it possible to select the folder from the phone app, or via 4 clicks on the multifunction button.

[@krystian4725]

@@sebkeccu4546agree I’m literally either sick of my 50 songs rotation or bored or switching them every few seconds because I don’t like that type of music or don’t want to listen to audiobook

[@scottcuk1]

Unsponsored is the only reason I clicked on this, thank you!

[@cheers70]

Subscribed because not sponsored.

[@Labrador7]

How does the bluetooth audio compare to the Suunto Wing? Is the fit equally comfortable? At first I really liked the idea of IP67 coupled with bluetooth audio and MP3 storage but I find the lack of playlist support to be a major oversight. By the way, thank you for the review. Your reviews are always very helpful, sharing honest insights unlike many reviews by sponsored influencers.

[@JakeOski]

It's pretty much the same fit and audio quality as Suunto Wing - if there are any differences, they are negligible. Totally, it's a bummer. If you've seen my pinned comment, Shokz acknowledged that managing playlists / jumping between the folders functionality has been removed and won't be included in any future firmware updates. Which sucks as previous model of Openswim had that... just not the Bluetooth. And many thanks for the kind words!

[@Labrador7]

@@JakeOski thanks for the replying to my question! 🙏

[@koljarafferty681]

Great review, thanks for taking the effort.

[@JakeOski]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Genesiobob]

Great review, thank you! If I listen to an mp3 audiobook or podcast, is there a way to resume from where I left it at the end of my previous swim?

[@JakeOski]

Every time when you power down it will start the mp3 from the beginning I'm afraid

[@MrBartHeijnen]

They resume from where you left it ( I have the openwim not the openswim pro)

[@WariWahab]

Awesome review Jake.. I don't swim as much as I'd like, but I do like headphones that I can use after a good bike/run workout and straight to the shower! And, I also don't care much about sound quality, other than I just need to be able to hear them. I've broken a few Shokz due to this habit of mine, so this would be great if it works as advertised

[@JakeOski]

Same here, no probs even with Bluetooth under the shower. However, a speaker works better - cancelling out my singing 😂

[@niekverkuylen7388]

Would these be okay in the shower? I have worn the normal pros in the shower but it didnt feel safe for the buds

[@JakeOski]

Yeah no issues! Just keep in mind that different to a waterproof speaker you can actually hear yourself singing which, for me, what’s a bit traumatic 😂

[@niekverkuylen7388]

@@JakeOski hahaha crap, 😜 thank you very much, im a big fan of the others shokz has put out, so im going to get them for sure!

[@Stevonoles1]

I swim on a masters team everyday. The open swim and previous name were flawless, until either the plastic charger tab would brake and the clam shell would not stay shut, or the actual earphone part separates from the headband, near the buttons, allowing water to get in and ruin them. That being said, I have had 3 pair and each lasted about 1 year, swimming around 3000 yards each day. Just bought the pro versiion, so we will see how long they last. The seam between the headphone and headband area, does appear to be different and more robust. SHOKZ WILL NOT stand behind the 2 year warranty when registered, so don't count on that. They really should be ashamed of that policy.

[@JakeOski]

Hey dude, that sounds crap - what's the point in 2 year warranty if doesn't cover the seam which is pretty crucial? Sorry to hear that you've gotta replace them every year. So far mine have been stellar but I'm not anywhere near your usage load - 3k yds sounds insane!

[@amirhalabi6608]

Please help me understand If I’m streaming music from my phone via Bluetooth I will not be able to listen while swimming ?

[@JakeOski]

Nope, Bluetooth and water don't mix, hence the MP3 mode for swimming.

[@60lader]

How do You attach the cable provided to an Apple laptop for Mp3

[@amirhalabi6608]

@@60lader easy, the cable is USB

[@pcexpertzzz]

@@60lader You need an adapter to go from USB C (thunderbolt) to USB A. I have a multip port dongle so I can connect many and multiple devices using just one port on my Mac. Once you havethen then just plugin and it works like a thumbdrive, just drag and drop the music flles.

[@McLartyFilms]

Great review. Is the charging cable the same as the first generation open swim? Thx

[@JakeOski]

Thanks bud! Possibly! My Openswim pair is with a friend but I’ll check and report back towards end of the week :)

[@McLartyFilms]

@@JakeOski thanks I lost my charge cable first week after purchase !

[@MrKernkraft4000]

How's the bluetooth distance if you swim in a lap pool (and can't take the phone in the water with you obviously)

[@JakeOski]

You can't swim with BT - bluetooth signal doesn't penetrate water too well, some say they get away with having phone strapped to back of their heads but... I wouldn't recommend that. BT cuts off when one of the devices is under the water - hence why you can't stream music from your watch either. Just a tech limitation, hence the mp3 mode :)

[@MrKernkraft4000]

@@JakeOski Got it. That makes sense. Thank you for your response.

[@andrzejkubiak1461]

Is there any way to control the order of the Playlist? For example with numbers in the file name? I listen to audiobooks while swimming and it would make me furious if I couldn't get the thing to play the parts of the book in order.

[@JakeOski]

Yeah you can set playback as Normal, Shuffle and Repeat so if you'll name files in the right way it should just go through them in order.

[@narcoticmonke2382]

I had a different pair of shokz and they did work with my full face when i tilt the band down (didn't do much to the sound) i hope the pros are the same

[@JakeOski]

Might be down to head and helmet size too - I ride a Medium Leatt Enduro and the band sticks out a bit too much for my head size. Run Pro and Run Pro 2 come in Standard and Small so I guess the Small one might fit under the lid. Can't wait for weird looks in the store when I'll come to try them on 😂

[@narcoticmonke2382]

@JakeOski oh got it the only difference is i run a large but yeah Leatts are nice

[@JakeOski]

@@narcoticmonke2382 they might fit closer then :) I've just tried that on the new Openrun Pro 2's and there's no way 😂 Posted a vid on this yesterday :)

[@zzbuckley]

Good review thanks. I am sorry if I have missed this but can you load your MP3’s by Bluetooth? I returned a previous set because I could get downloading to work

[@JakeOski]

You’ve gotta use a cable to do that dude

[@zzbuckley]

@@JakeOski 😖 thanks Jake

[@owenneedham4651]

I'm a mountain biker, what type of bike do you have? Helpful review btw!

[@JakeOski]

Thanks dude! Currently Nukeproof Mega 290 but I’m thinking of Giga as next :)

[@craigslist220]

Is the band that goes around the head smaller on the newer one?

[@JakeOski]

It’s the same

[@mctechies745]

Does it have a folder navigation capability, to keep podcasts and audio books seperated from music?

[@JakeOski]

Nope, the previous Openswim headphones had that (pressing and holding + button you were skipping between the folders) and for some reason Pro doesn't have that... It might come in a firmware update... I hope!

[@tidewalkermv]

Hello. What is the one you said you got for your kid, for like $30. I need the best budget option.

[@JakeOski]

They’re all about the same at that price range. And they work ok for what they are :)

[@tidewalkermv]

@@JakeOski I couldn't figure out what either of them were. Could you give me a name

[@Bhallmed]

The idea behind using these out of the water is to keep situational awareness while running or biking. And some races don’t allow in ear headphones due to safety concerns.

[@adinacristescu5789]

What if I swim in an indoor pool with my head above the surface? Can I use bluetooth? Thank you

[@JakeOski]

Theoretically yes

[@Stevonoles1]

Yes

[@pcexpertzzz]

@@Stevonoles1 100% YES, If I am doing water training in the pool my head is always above the water, and these work fantasticly. I just place my phone ANYWHERE around the pool and they just work.

[@edexireland3542]

Are these ok in Steam room ?

[@JakeOski]

I’ve no idea, never tried it 😂 I guess so :)

[@Stevonoles1]

Yes

[@ezrajordan9020]

Do they work in Bluetooth Mode while swimming?

[@JakeOski]

Nope, Bluetooth doesn't penetrate water hence the mp3 option

[@marcosrocha7661]

Awesome review, I was looking at these for Kitesurfing and coincidentally you kite with those, so after your review I will definitely get one!

[@JakeOski]

It defo give you bigger balls when pulling off kiteloops 😂 I tend to suffer a massive skill deficiency vs ambitions when riding with some heavy stuff playing 🤘🏻 Enjoy dude 🤙🏻

[@kavenvaillancourt3318]

I just bought them swimming mode give a great quality when the ear are fill with water. When you use the earplugs the quality is not that good and the swimming mode is awful. on land they are ok but I will not recommande if you main goal is not swimming

[@JakeOski]

Yeah the sound quality in general is nowhere near normal buds but I haven’t found any that are so unobtrusive as Shokz when running or doing anything vigorous.

[@ezrajordan9020]

Do they work in Bluetooth Mode while swimming?

[@cheekbones2]

I'm still surprised that water and earplugs "sound" differently. Anyone make water-filled earplugs?

[@AnnaGriboedova]

The most interesting question for me- are they resistant to salt water? I really want to buy this ones as swim a lot, but I also do it in the sea pretty often. I have already kill my Apple Watch with salt water, but they was old, but I am scared about this nee and expensive headphones. I saw you swim kites, was it in the sea or not??))

[@JakeOski]

Yeah so far so good - my standard pair of Openswins survived countless sessions in the North Sea 🤙🏻

[@tonyoertli6255]

I need Folders for the music!!!!! why did you remove this feature? I might return the headphones.

[@JakeOski]

Yeah switching folders is no longer an option sadly

[@Север-Юг-щ6э]

Yes, this is outrageous. I was unpleasantly surprised that they released such a crude product for sale.

[@Север-Юг-щ6э]

I received these headphones the other day with 32 GB of memory. I liked the headphones themselves but not the mp3 player. I did not find in this player a file search function or a rewind function, just flipping through files one by one. The controls are the same in the smartphone app. It's unbearably long and boring. It's like an old cheap MP3 player. And why does such a player need 32 GB memory?

[@JakeOski]

They've had the folders skipping in the previous Openswims so I hope they'll add this back in with a software update. You can go back on a song by pressing and holding volume - for 2 seconds.

[@chickennugget11470]

Is the sound the exact same as the current openruns? I tried on some open run pros and found that the “bass” they added in those just uncomfortably vibrated on the sides of my head and actually preferred the normal openruns instead lol. I know you said these are more punchy so I’m curious if that’s in comparison to the current gen openruns

[@JakeOski]

This might be a pretty personal thing, I've found RunPro's being a bit annoying at first vs the standard ones but I got used to it fairly quickly. OpenSwim Pro are kinda similar in terms of vibrations - you can defo feel getting massaged by bass but the sound is a tad cleaner. It's something you'd definitely need to try - I think you can always send them back via Amazon if you feel they're giving you too much of a weird buzz :)

[@cheekbones2]

I consider the vocal mode as a bass reducer. .. reduces the vibrations while sacrificing music quality when you've got to have high volume. Best for calls and podcasts.. When it comes to surface swimming, the Achilles heel of my G7 is the touch control that will activate play/pause in water. Otherwise it's far better for sound and is proving just as durable otherwise. (volume/track physical buttons are also much easier to locate/use)

[@poet8236]

I got mine and sent them back same day. The inability to actually manage your music library on the device and at least pick the folder you want to listen to is a 100% deal-breaker for me, and I am surprised not more people point out this massive failure of the Shokz's product managers. This feels like a product in early alpha, never should have been released with such huge lacks in usability.

[@JakeOski]

Yeah I kinda hope they'll add this in a firmware update ASAP. I've sent them an email, I'll see what comes back!

[@poet8236]

@@JakeOski Yes, unfortunately many have, and some already beginning of the year when the device was released. It's not explainable to me why Shokz would not react. This feels like a bricked device currently.

[@seband87]

Agreed and this is why I'm not purchasing

[@paulfriedhelm]

Thanks. Do they really hold firmly while kitesurfing? I have the Sony WS Modell Series from a fee years ago (in ears). They do well, but, well I would live to hear my environment. Thanks

[@JakeOski]

Never really had a problem of them coming off but having a wee tether to the wetsuit is always good - just in case!

[@Owski87]

Can you compare the sound quality between openrun pro and the new openswim pro?

[@JakeOski]

They are very close, OS Pro sound a tiny bit cleaner but otherwise it’s a very comparable sound quality

[@paraDice145]

Can you pair them to a watch with Spotify directly?

[@JakeOski]

You can, got them paired with my Ultra 2

[@krystian4725]

Good to hear that I’m not the only one using them on the maximum volume or at least 80% all the times I use them just for swimming but they just not loud enough for me

[@JakeOski]

Have you tried ear plugs? That kinda amplifies the sound a bit more - something I can’t do kitesurfing so I won’t jump into others :)

[@krystian4725]

@@JakeOski yes always with earplugs still not loud enough

[@gl8282]

Should I buy open swim again or the pro. Sigh - I just lost my open swim …. Banging head now

[@JakeOski]

If you have a use for them outside the water then the Pro’s make sense

[@gl8282]

@@JakeOski good point - maybe that will encourage me to walk as well

[@joi8674]

Does anyone know why they mention 6.5 feet on the openswim pro? I have the open swims and I noticed when I go to 9 feet under water I can barely hear them.

[@soapyvanshoey3179]

So how loud are they? I want to wear them for music in the hot tub and long in door rowing sessions. And i have some cheaper waterproof bone conduction headphones and the volume when rowing is none existent.

[@JakeOski]

I can hear music when kitesurfing so rowing should be easy enough :)

[@danmac9170]

Does it connect to a Garmin watch whilst swimming? Or do I need to download music MP3 style to the shoks?

[@JakeOski]

You can connect it to Garmin no probs but as soon as your hand goes under the water the connection will break - Bluetooth doesn't penetrate water too well. Hence the mp3 mode.

[@adamcarrol2049]

You said you're dependent on the shuffle/mp3 feature while swimming - does the bluetooth connection not work while swimming?

[@JakeOski]

Bluetooth doesn’t work with water, so if you’re wearing a watch to stream music off as soon as your hand goes under it’ll break the connection.

[@adamcarrol2049]

@@JakeOski Okay, bummer, but thank you for the review!

[@yuktachidanandan5678]

@@JakeOski Great video, thanks for putting it out! I see some people saying they put their phone on in a waterproof bag or slipped their smart watch into the goggles to make the Bluetooth work. Do you think that could work?

[@JakeOski]

It’s about BT signal not travelling through the water well, I might give it a shot with Apple Watch and these and report back but usually you’re looking at something tiny as 4” of range when submerged.

[@kimphan9874]

It definitely worth the test to see if you can swim with the headphone and BT turn on with your phone by the pool.

[@AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA5402]

But when i use for swimming the bluetooth sound doesnt work

[@JakeOski]

That's why you've got mp3 mode for swimming

[@YoutubeSalvatrucha]

What are better mojawa run plus or Schokz openswim pro. Also Sound Compirson. Because i cant Consider between these two.

[@JakeOski]

Sorry, I've never had Mojawa's so can't say.

[@JPH675]

Do these allow for phone calls?

[@JakeOski]

They do in mp3 mode

[@Mrmmgramsfilms]

Is the microphone through bone conduction as well? I’m wondering if It would make it easier to take calls while cycling vs air pods etc which drown out your voice with wind and the person you are talking to has no chance of hearing you.

[@JakeOski]

Nah, also, I think the AirPods Pro 2 are much better at wind cancelling than these mate

[@Mrmmgramsfilms]

@@JakeOski bummer, because my airpod pro 2s don’t do shit for cancelling wind.

[@JakeOski]

@@Mrmmgramsfilms I haven't found ones that do any better dude :/

[@pcexpertzzz]

@@JakeOski I have Open SwimPro and the OpenComm 2. The OpenComm 2 is OUTSTANING for wind and other NC features. I can wear the Opencomm2 in my convertible and have phone conversations easily when the top is down. IMO a must for anyone who talks in a convertible with the top down.