The geniuses at Far End Gear who devised one of my favorite inventions—the One Good Earbud, a single earbud that mixes both channels into one ear—have solved a problem that has vexed me for ages: the overly long earbud cord. Instead of marketing a clever doodad to wind up or retract the extra cord, they went with a much simpler, more elegant approach. They made the cord shorter.
Let that sink in for a second.
I know, right? How obvious is that? I’m surprised shorter cords aren’t already a common option in the marketplace. The Short Buds ($14.95 at One Good Earbud, comes with two rubber ear tips) cord is only 15 inches long (versus about 45 inches on the regular version), making it perfect for use with clip-on music players, like my Sansa Clip or your iPod Shuffle. The Short Bud is also the best option if you wear your device in a holder around your upper arm—no need to wad up the extra cord, and there’s no danger of catching it with your arm as you run. I like to keep the cord and player tucked out of sight, so I plug the Short Bud into my Sansa Clip, thread the cord through the strap of my sports bra to secure it, and clip the Sansa to the top of my bra.
I’ve been using a One Good Earbud for a couple of years, and it’s never let me down. Running with music is a polarizing issue, but for me, my run is the one time of day when I can listen to and enjoy music. As an editor and content producer, I find it impossible to work with music competing for brain space, and I find that music and running are a perfect combo for wiping the mental slate clean before tackling my next project.
All of the single-bud One Good Earbud styles allow me to enjoy my tunes without blocking out the world. Both channels of stereo sound are mixed into one ear, leaving the other ear available to the environment. I keep the volume low enough that I still hear my favorite bird songs, as well as other sounds like cars, cyclists, other runners, snarling dogs, and so on.
That said, you should never rely on your ears alone—trust your eyes before anything else. Look before you leap, as they say.
I’ve been using the Short Bud for the past couple of weeks, ever since Far End Gear sent me one to try out. In short (get it?), it’s just like the regular OGEB, but without requiring winding all that extra cord around my Sansa Clip, which can become a tangled mess. Also? This new version is black, not white, and blends in better with my gear. I really like that because a white cord screams “expensive gadget” to potential bad guys—and it stands out like a sore thumb in race photos. Nice touch: Packaging is minimal.
Short Buds—and any of the One Good Earbud styles—aren’t just ideal for runners. They’re also a good choice for urban dwellers who need to keep an ear out on the streets or subway. Having one ear open might also send a message to evildoers that you’re not an easy mark.
Want one? Buy it at One Good Earbud. Or join the Virtual 12athon Challenge for a shot at the February swag bag. Or enter this giveway! Here’s how:
Earn one entry for doing each item on the list.
- Leave a comment in this post with your favorite running tune.
- “Like” the One Good Earbud Facebook page and let me know in the comments.
- “Like” the Virtual 12athon Challenge Facebook page and let me know in the comments.
Contest ends Friday, February 10, at noon EST. I’ll contact the winner via email, so be sure to comment with a working email address. Good luck!
Feb. 10 Update: The winner of the Short Buds giveaway is Daniel Inman, whose favorite running song is “Run in Place,” by the Nadas. Congratulations, Daniel!
17 comments
Daniel Inman
February 5, 2012 at 10:51 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Favorite running tune: “Run in Place” by the Nadas, Also like my earbud so far, didn’t think of getting the short cord but should have.
Iris
February 10, 2012 at 12:52 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Congratulations, you are the lucky winner! Check your email for a message from me. Woot!
Kate
February 5, 2012 at 12:54 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I only use music on treadmills… I’ve had too many close calls with cars/bikes/peds to trust myself without my ears. My favorite running tune for the treadmill is the Execution Song by Johnossi (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggV9IGJGrcg – there are a couple of swear words in it)
I wear earbuds but never both – the OGEB idea is genius. I liked their FB page and now I’m shopping their page.
avenging angle
February 5, 2012 at 1:07 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Favorite running tune: “Requiem for a Dying Song,” Flogging Molly. Mostly because it’s nice and fast.
I also have liked the 12athon page for a long time, and now I like the One Good Earbud page.
Patrick
February 5, 2012 at 2:28 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Oh oh! Me me! I <3 the free stuff!
I know I like the v12 page, I also like the 1gEb page, and currently the favorite running track is Black Eyed Peas, "Let's get it Started"
"keeps runnin runnin, & running, running…"
I believe I read somewhere the word running is in the song something like 40+ times.
Brett McAnulty
February 5, 2012 at 4:30 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I love the idea of a shorter cord! Genius!
Favorite running song is the original running song: Gonna Fly Now, from Rocky soundtrack!
I now like the OGEB page.
I’ve always liked the V12 page!
Counting down the days til the 12th…
Brent Currie
February 5, 2012 at 9:57 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I love OGEB. As someone who is deaf in one ear they are a fantastic way for me to enjoy both audio channels. I don’t listen to music on my runs though. I usually listen to audiobooks from Audible. It drives me to run longer and farther because I want the story to continue.
Katy McManus
February 6, 2012 at 11:50 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I like to run with one earbud, but the sound is horrible.
I like “Stronger” by Kanye West, it motivates me.
Kyle Nichol
February 6, 2012 at 12:05 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Hmm, I think my favorite running tune right now is Move by MercyMe. I’d love to get a pair of these.
I have liked the One Good Earbud page and I’ve liked the Stet that Run facebook page for a while.
Tom Foy
February 6, 2012 at 1:42 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I liked both already. Favorite running song: Eminem- Lose yourself.
Scott
February 6, 2012 at 8:58 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
That’s a forehead smacking, “why didn’t *I* think of that” idea. I hate those…
Obvious favorite running song: Pink Floyd’s “Run Like Hell”
Heids
February 7, 2012 at 6:31 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Fav running tune – Queen – Don’t stop me now
Have liked the 12athon page since it first started and now also like the one good earbud page.
Tracy
February 7, 2012 at 9:01 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Did all those things and nearly forgot to come back and comment, yikes! I’m so thrilled to see these, how could I never have known about them before?
Oh favorite song, so hard to choose. . . this week, let’s say “Captivated” by Shawn McDonald.
sramfl
February 7, 2012 at 8:14 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Finally…a really good headset idea.
A favorite running tune is “A Forest (Tree Mix)” by The Cure….definitely a get up and go song.
sramfl
February 7, 2012 at 8:16 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
…oops, forgot to mention…yes, I “Liked” the V12C and One Good Earbuds Facebook pages.
Jodi
February 9, 2012 at 12:58 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I have already been on the 12athon band wagon for a while, but wanted to add that I also went and liked One Good Earbud’s page. I think this new product is ingenious. I don’t run with music typically unless I’m on the treadmill but it would sure be nice to have one of these gadgets when I take my music to the streets. I hate untangling my earbud with my sweaty bra strap post run. I’d have to say my favorite running song is Florence & the Machine’s “Dog Days are Over.” It’s not even my fave song from their album (which I love!), but something about that song when it comes on gets me pumping. I want to run fast for my mother, fast for my father, run for my sisters and my brothers!!! And I don’t even have brothers.
Iris
February 9, 2012 at 1:04 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Jodi, that’s my favorite running song, too! LOVE it!