For those who like me like to spend their training hours in the water, finding a perfect pair of headphones is something worth some time I was happy when Nank reached out with their new Runner Diver2 headphones.

A pair of headphones that can also be your running headphones is a double win so I was all over doing this test. Any chance to save having more kit welcome to be honest. Introducing the Nank Runner Diver2 headphones, a new pair of underwater headphones that’s making waves—literally.


Trivelo Verdict

Trivelo Score – 4 / 5

A single pair of headphones for running swimming from Nank. I love the idea of creating savings for people and only needing a single device for both so scores well on this alone. The sound quality I felt is compromised for both user cases but is an unfortunate reality of the demands placed on headphones like this. They are well priced and work reliably. There are niggles that would be great to see addressed hence a score of 4/5.

Nank Runner Diver2 Pro headphones rubber casing

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Quality materials with comfortable rubber and plastic throughout
  • Solid bluetooth connectivity that is simple to apply
  • Usual excellent benefits of bone conduction headphones for safe running

Cons

  • No case to protect them when you chuck them in your bag
  • Running sound quality really compromised from waterproofing with treble tones impacted worst

First Impressions

The Nank Runner Diver2 bone-conduction headphones are sleek, lightweight, and feel like a quality product from first impressions. They’re designed specifically for swimmers, and they come with an IPX8 waterproof rating, which means they’re not a running headphone with some afterthought waterproofing. Initial design was made to suit use in water for swimming.

Nank Runner Diver2 Pro headphones review Nank Runner Diver2 Pro bone conduction headphones Nank Runner Diver2 Pro unboxed

Running with the Nank Runner Diver2 Headphones

Comfort is king, and the Runner Diver2 design has a really nice ergonmic design. The rubber casing is slightly thicker than a number of competitors that makes them more comfortable around the ears. The other very nice touch is the flex in the fit to the ear. The curve around your ear has a flexible fit so you can adjust the positioning to suit your ears and where you want them on your cheek.

Nank Runner Diver2 Pro running testing

They are lightweight and can be adjusted to sit snugly on your cheekbones without causing any discomfort. Unlike the Shokz OpenSwim, which can feel a tad tight after prolonged use, the Diver2’s fit is so natural you might forget you’re wearing them. Whether you’re doing laps, diving, or using as an everyday pair for the commute the fit is good.

Sound Quality

Sound quality is the biggest letdown. All bone conduction headphones make a compromise on sound quality that is an expected trade off for the benefits of peripheral audio. I found from using the Nank Runner Diver2 headphones spoken content was fine but when testing with music the higher frequency treble tones were lost. Adjusting the positioning on your cheek made some improvement but main area of concern.

Nank Runner Diver2 Pro charging Nank Runner Diver2 Pro headphones rubber casing

Swimming with the Nank Runner Diver2 Headphones

Let’s dive into the details, shall we? Bone conduction technology has often been met with scepticism for its ability to truly deliver high-fidelity audio, same as I outlined for running this hold true also for swimming. From testing in ear swimming headphones myself though a closed headphone in swimming I find very disconcerting for getting my balance in the water. For this reason I prefer a bone conduction style headphone in the water.

The sound is clear enough and not muffled under the water. If you’ve tried the Shokz OpenSwim headphones, you’ll know they’re a good headphone, but the Diver2’s audio is better for spoken word. Music has some shortcomings. The bass is punchier, and the midrange tones are richer, the treble tones are missing on most tracks I tried.

Bluetooth and Data Transfer

The Runner Diver 2 headphones have 16GB internal storage, which allows you to load up to 4,000 songs. That’s more than enough to keep you entertained during even the longest swim sessions. Unlike Shokz OpenSwim, which also offers onboard storage but struggles with transferring files quickly, the Diver2’s user-friendly interface ensures loading your favourite tracks is as breezy as a seaside stroll.

The Diver2 also supports multiple file formats, including MP3, WAV, and FLAC, ensuring no song is left behind. One drawback I found though is that you need to connect the headphones to your computer using a cable to transfer physical files. I like many of you I am sure don’t store music files any more and use streaming services. For the test I used mainly bluetooth but grabbed some free files from the internet to test the transfer and local storage listening.

Nank Runner Diver2 Pro swimming and running headphones review Nank Runner Diver2 Pro flexible ear frame

Battery life

Battery life scores high from reviewing the Nank Runner Diver2. With up to 10 hours of playtime on a single charge, these headphones outlast the Shokz OpenSwim by a comfortable margin. This means you can power through your entire swim routine, a cooldown stretch, and even a post-workout snack before needing to recharge. And when it’s time to juice up, the fast-charging feature ensures you’re back in action in no time.

Mobile App

Of course, no product is perfect. If there’s one area where the Diver2 could improve, it’s the app integration—or lack thereof. While the headphones are stellar as a standalone device, a companion app for EQ adjustments or playlist management would have been a welcome addition. An app that had audio files you could freely use as well would be handy to save people like me without audio files on hand.

Summary of Review

When it comes down to it, the Nank Runner Diver2 headphones are nothing short of a triumph. They take everything we love about bone-conduction technology and elevate it to new heights—or depths, as the case may be. Compared to the Shokz OpenSwim, they offer superior sound quality, better comfort, and a longer battery life, making them the undisputed champion for swimmers and athletes alike.

So, whether you’re training for your next triathlon, perfecting your butterfly stroke, or just looking to add some rhythm to your underwater adventures, the Nank Runner Diver2 is a good choice. Dive in and experience the difference for yourself—you won’t be disappointed!


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Categories: Swimming

Billy Ferguson

Having founded Trivelo in 2015 after many years competing in triathlon Billy continues to enjoy training and triathlon. Founder Billy is strongest in the water but continues to try and convince his body that he is an ultra runner.

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