A traditional debate: to trip with or with out music? For individuals who get pleasure from a podcast or playlist whilst you pedal, there’s no denying that having a “pal” in your ear makes the miles tick by sooner. What’s controversial, nonetheless, is how protected it’s to trip together with your ears plugged or lined.
Over time, numerous options have emerged to handle this subject, every with differing ranges of success. From wi-fi Bluetooth earbuds, which might be worn in a single ear (and have, on a couple of event, fallen out and disappeared into the roadside abyss), to bone-conduction headphones (one more factor to get snarled with my helmet straps). Enter a brand new choice to the sound smorgasbord: the Aleck Punks.
Aleck, an organization launched in 2014 to carry audio to ski and snowboard helmets, has now packaged its know-how for hotter climes and helmets for biking.
Building
(Picture credit score: Anne-Marije Rook)
Unpackaging the Aleck Punks, the field reveals a left and proper speaker, a twin charging cable and microfiber bag. Every speaker measures 5.7 x 2.7 x 1 cm, which is definitely not massive however I wouldn’t describe them as small both. At 16 grams, the load of every speaker is similar to 4 AirPods.
The audio system are mounted to the helmet straps intuitively by slipping the entrance bike helmet strap by way of a “claw” on the high and backside of every speaker. At first look, this “claw” design appeared fragile but it is confirmed to be fairly sturdy, withstanding common use in addition to being dropped and jostled round in my gear bag. The attachment system has labored nicely: I haven’t skilled any mid-ride motion of the speaker, but positioning has is definitely adjustable.
Every speaker encompasses a glove-friendly button on the again to show audio on and off. I actually preferred the shape issue of an precise button in comparison with the tap-to-control system discovered on some earbuds, which might be tough to make use of with a strap in the way in which or when carrying gloves.
With audio system mounted and helmet on, the Aleck Punks have been very noticeable. Reactions from others observing the audio system have ranged from “what is that?” to “are you carrying these wind block issues?” to “wow, these look…large”. So should you’re the kind of rider who matches your socks to your vest to your sun shades, these audio system may not suit your modern aesthetic. That stated, regardless of the look, the audio system felt inconspicuous. As soon as I used to be carrying my helmet, I may hardly really feel the Punks in any respect, and my preliminary impression of the hefty hand really feel of the audio system disappeared.
The Specs
(Picture credit score: Anne-Marije Rook)
- Materials: Plastic
- Dimension: 5.7 cm x 2.7 cm x 1 cm (1.25 in x 1 in x 0.5 in)
- Weight: 16 grams for both sides
- Helmet compatibility: open face helmets with straps as much as 15 mm extensive
- Headphone type: Open ear
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2 True Wi-fi
- Charging time: 1 hour. 10-minute fast cost gives 1 hour of use
- Battery life: as much as 12 hours
- Climate proofing: IP65 rated. Water-resistant, sweat resistant, mud proof
- Included in field: left and proper Aleck Punks headphones, twin charging USB-C cable, and microfiber drawstring pouch
- MSRP: $79.95 / RRP: £129.99
The Journey
(Picture credit score: Anne-Marije Rook)
The Aleck Punks have been residing on one in every of my helmets for a couple of months now, and I’m not mad about it. They’ve been so fast and straightforward to pair up with my iPhone. And since they’ve been nearly completely hooked up to my helmet straps, I’ve discovered myself utilizing them for many of my rides, whether or not I’m taking part in only a tune or two on a fast journey to the grocery retailer or catching up on hours of podcasts on an extended weekend solo trip.
The Aleck Punks have an IP65 ranking, that means the audio system ought to be dust-tight and waterproof. Aleck markets the Punks as “immune to sweat, mud, and rain”, and as their unique merchandise have been meant for winter sports activities, I’d anticipate them to know a factor or two about weatherproofing. Within the few months of testing, my Punks have been uncovered to hours of sweat, alpine desert and even a couple of good ol’ Pacific Northwest summer season rains. All in all, they’ve held up admirably with no obvious put on or lack of performance.
The sound readability of the Aleck Punks was higher than I anticipated for a near-ear system. You could not get the crispness of a top quality in-ear machine, however I feel tradeoffs are very value it. With the Punks, I may get pleasure from my music and podcasts within the rain, over gravel, by way of windy situations and descents and, most significantly, close to site visitors. I reside in an city space that turns into rural in a short time, so it’s essential to me to have the ability to hear auto site visitors within the metropolis and keep away from being snuck up on in additional distant areas, as nicely. Earlier than utilizing the Punks, my most well-liked methodology of tapping into Spotify was to have a single earbud in my proper ear so I may nonetheless pay attention for site visitors with the open ear, however I typically struggled to listen to the audio whereas using close to highways or descending. The Punks have been nice at providing the very best of each worlds, permitting me to get pleasure from one thing to take heed to with out sacrificing spatial consciousness on the highway or path. And, not like my earbuds, I by no means lose them or overlook them, as a result of they virtually reside on my helmet straps.
One drawback to the Punks is that they leak sound. Not like a bone-induction system that may sit on or close to your temples, the Punks ‘dangle’ from the helmet strap close to your ear. Whereas utilizing the Punks, individuals close to me may undoubtedly take part on my Taylor Swift jamfest. This was not a dealbreaker for me as I usually select to make use of audio after I’m not using with others, but it surely’s definitely one thing to concentrate on.
Worth and Conclusion
(Picture credit score: Anne-Marije Rook)
Once I first acquired the Punks to evaluation, the MSRP for a pair was listed at $149.95 or £129.99, which is a bit steep. They’ve since come right down to a new decrease MSRP of $79.95 (within the U.S. anyway), I feel the Aleck Punks are a fantastic worth.
Due to the helmet-strap attachment, these audio system can solely be used whereas carrying a helmet. Initially, I used to be skeptical about proudly owning a pair of headphones solely for biking, particularly when there are different choices that work for a number of actions. Because of this, the Punks weren’t one thing I’d have thought of buying for myself. Nevertheless, I’ve been pleasantly stunned by how a lot I exploit them, and I imagine the Punks would make a fantastic reward merchandise for the sensible bicycle owner in your life. If you may get previous their cumbersome aesthetic, the advantages of this near-ear system are value trying out.
