If you’re looking for good running headphones, you’ll definitely want something with at least an IPX4 rating. But choosing between workout headphones and earbuds is up to personal preference. Most runners tend to choose earbuds because they’re durable and more ergonomic than headphones. Headphones have their place for exercise, and we have a whole list of the best workout headphones, but running requires a lot of jostling which can displace headphones in a way that doesn’t happen with earbuds.
If you want to go the less traditional route and fancy yourself an outdoor runner, we recommend bone conduction headphones, specifically the Shokz OpenRun or AfterShokz Aeropex. These are essentially the same headset, but the former is rebranded, and you may have an easier time finding the latter at a discount.