Looking for the best running headphones that won't fall out of my ears. Earlier this summer, I tried the AirPods Pro for track running and was a complete failure. The Apple noise-canceling buds spent more time scattered on the ground than providing a soundtrack to my laps.

Well, I had been trying to part ways with wireless headphones for a while. Still, I have been determined to find the best wireless earbuds for running. However, I decided it was time to think outside the box and out of the ear canal.

A colleague at Tom's Guide recommended the AfterShokz Aeropex, a $159.99 bone-conduction headset. I had never tried bone-conduction audio and wasn't sure what to expect. I just knew the sound quality would be inadequate compared to when I tried the PowerBeats Pro for running and the Jabra Elite Active 75t for running.

Let me go ahead and say this: the AfterShokz Aeropex is not a sexy high-tech product. Fortunately, that's not the kind of atmosphere I'm aiming for in my 12-minute mile. All I need is a pair of comfortable headphones that sound great while I'm wearing them. So are bone-conduction headphones my ideal running companion? To find out, read the following article.

At only 0.9 ounces, the AfterShokz Aeropex are almost impossible to wear and fit perfectly between comfort and the firm fit I look for in running headphones. Since bone-conduction headphones don't require ear tips, I didn't have to try many different ones; I simply charged the Aeropex and paired it with my iPhone via Bluetooth. I did miss the automatic pairing of the AirPods Pro and Powerbeats Pro via Apple's H1 chip, though.

While I couldn't shake the Aeropex off or loosen it while running, I didn't feel the hook pinch my ear like I did after using the Powerbeats Pro for a while. In fact, when I got home, I forgot to remove it even when I didn't have music on.

The only discomfort I experienced was when I tried to remove the AfterShokz Aeropex. Despite how smooth it looked on my TikTok, the neckband actually got tangled in my hair several times. When I sweat, my smooth ponytail turns into an unruly lion's mane, so I need to be more careful than when pulling buds out of my ears.

For those unfamiliar with the technology, bone-conduction headphones send vibrations to the cheekbones to reproduce audio, allowing you to hear conversations and ambient sounds without the need for a true transparent mode like the AirPods Pro or Jabra Elite Active 75t.

That said, I wasn't expecting much in the way of sound quality from the AfterShokz Aeropex. However, considering the limitations of bone conduction, the headset was actually impressive. Sure, the bass didn't hit my pace as it usually does on Eminem's 'Till I Collapse,' but it kept me moving. The synth riff in Tame Impala's 'Elephant' had enough punch to extend my run to 2.4 miles instead of my usual 2 miles.

The AfterShokz Aeropex is the running headphone I've been looking for in terms of comfort and safety; the AirPods Pro and Jabra Elite Active 75t tend to fall out of my ears, but the Aeropex isn't going anywhere. The bone-conduction headset doesn't tighten uncomfortably like the Powerbeats Pro.

I wish the sound had been more complex and engrossing so I wouldn't regret my workout choice for the day. However, I appreciated the ability to listen to outdoor ambient sounds while running and the promise of 8 hours of battery life.

For now, the AfterShokz Aeropex bone-conduction headphones are the pair I reach for when I'm ready to tackle an outdoor workout. The Jabra Elite Active 75t will remain my top choice of earbuds since I need active noise canceling at the gym.

And what about the AirPods Pro? I'm going to try some accessories that better fit Apple's high-end earbuds. Meanwhile, if you're struggling to find running headphones that won't fall out of your ears, you might want to try a bone-conduction headset.