Yurbuds ear bud shapes have won us over for some sorts of riding, and now you can get that same comfort in a wireless Bluetooth iteration.
The new Inspire (shown, left) and Focus models use a large 15mm driver and use their Twist Lock silicone ear plugs. They do all the expected things like one-button pairing, volume and phone/pause/play buttons and stereo playback. And they are guaranteed to “never hurt and never fall out”, which we’re hoping to put to the test for ourselves.
One standout feature is the woven fabric cover on the cord connecting each side. The grabby, rubbery strap on the Jaybird Bluebuds X was one of the few gripes we had with that one, as it can pull on your jersey or gloves and dislodge them from your ears too easily. The fabric cord also keeps them from getting tangled up.
The Inspire use in-ear mounting only, likely making them better for use with helmets and sunglasses. The larger Focus model (shown below) uses an over-the-ear mount. Both allow for ambient noise to pass through, making street and car sounds audible during use. Or nature, if you’re into that. They’re resistant to sweat and a light drizzle, have about an 8-hour battery (estimated, they simply say it’s good for a week’s worth of normal workouts) and get a lifetime warranty against defects. Retail is $169 each.
