We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-23 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
If you want one pair of open-ear headphones that can follow you from the bike lane into the pool, choose FlowMotion Versa Open-Ear Swimming; if you need a lightweight, all-day bone conduction set for road cycling, commuting and long outdoor rides, choose Filenor Bone Conduction Headphones. Both keep your ears open to traffic, which is the whole point on a bike. The difference is how far each one is willing to go with you.
• FlowMotion Versa's biggest strength: an IP68 waterproof/dustproof rating plus a 32GB MP3 mode, so it works underwater and in heavy rain where Bluetooth simply can't reach.
• FlowMotion Versa's biggest trade-off: it's the more specialized tool — you have to switch to MP3 mode for anything underwater, and there's no noise control of any kind.
• Filenor's biggest strength: a 29g titanium memory frame with a 33-foot Bluetooth range and Type-C charging with a 10-minute quick-charge top-up — built for comfort over long rides.
• Filenor's biggest trade-off: an IP55 rating, which handles sweat, spray and rain but is not a swim rating.
• Who FlowMotion Versa is for: swimmers, triathletes and cyclists who want one headphone that survives water both ways.
• Who Filenor is for: road cyclists, commuters and hikers who want a light, flexible, stay-put frame they can forget about for hours.
The Versa is an open-ear bone conduction headphone that transmits sound through the skull bone rather than the ear canal, so your ears stay fully open to cars, bells and other riders. On a bike, that's the safety argument for bone conduction in one sentence. Where the Versa separates itself is durability: IP68 is the highest waterproof and dustproof rating in this comparison, and it's aimed at swimming and underwater sports as much as surface activity. If you ride in serious rain or you split your training between the road and the pool, that rating is the reason to pick it.
The second differentiator is the 32GB of built-in MP3 storage. Because Bluetooth can't transmit underwater, the Versa is designed to play from its internal storage in MP3 mode — one button press switches you between MP3 and Bluetooth. Practically, that means you load your music, audiobooks or podcasts once and then ride or swim without your phone. Multipoint connectivity lets it jump between devices when you're in Bluetooth mode, and the built-in microphone handles calls and virtual meetings. Battery is listed at up to 8 hours of playtime with a 2-hour charge time.
Who should buy it: swimmers and triathletes who want one headphone for both disciplines, and cyclists who ride in heavy weather and don't want to worry about water. Who should skip it: riders who only ever pedal in dry conditions and would rather have the lightest possible frame — the Versa's water-first design is more than they need. Also skip it if you want active noise cancellation; the spec sheet lists noise control as none, which is deliberate for open-ear safety but worth knowing. The ear placement is open ear, the enclosure is metal, and it's rated for adults with a 1-year manufacturer warranty.
The Filenor set is the classic open-ear cycling headphone: a wraparound titanium memory frame that weighs just 29g, with an ABS and silicone build and a hook-shaped earpiece that sits over the ear. The frame is designed to be stretched and bent without deforming, which matters if you stuff headphones into a jersey pocket or a bag between rides. Filenor also claims its fully enclosed cavity reduces sound leakage by up to 50%, which is the kind of detail that matters when you're on a quiet shared path and don't want to broadcast your playlist.
On the bike specifically, the numbers that matter are the 33-foot Bluetooth range, Bluetooth 5.0, and the button controls. Thirty-three feet is enough to leave your phone in a jersey pocket or a frame bag and still keep a stable connection while you're on the bars. The 16mm bone conduction driver, 120 ohm impedance, 20 KHz frequency response and 38 dB sensitivity describe a driver tuned for the bone conduction approach rather than for bass-heavy in-ear thump. Filenor also lists environmental noise cancellation, which helps with call clarity through the built-in mic on windy rides and remote meetings.
Charging is where this one is genuinely convenient: up to 8 hours of playtime, Type-C fast charging, and a 10-minute quick charge that yields about 1.5 hours of listening. That's a real-world win if you're the type who remembers to charge ten minutes before heading out the door. Water resistance is IP55 — fine for sweat, road spray and rain, but not for swimming. The package includes the headphones, a Type-C cable, two sponge earplugs and a manual, and it's rated for kids, teens and adults with a 1-year warranty. Who should skip it: swimmers, and anyone who wants to ride with no phone at all, since there's no onboard storage here.
• Best for swimming or pool-to-road training → FlowMotion Versa Open-Ear Swimming. IP68 plus 32GB MP3 mode is the only combination here that works underwater.
• Best for heavy rain and all-weather commuting → FlowMotion Versa Open-Ear Swimming. IP68 outranks IP55 when the sky opens up.
• Best for long, comfortable rides → Filenor Bone Conduction Headphones. 29g and a flexible titanium memory frame are built to disappear on your head.
• Best for battery convenience → Filenor Bone Conduction Headphones. Both list 8 hours, but Filenor adds Type-C charging and a 10-minute quick charge for roughly 1.5 hours of playback.
• Best for riding phone-free → FlowMotion Versa Open-Ear Swimming. The 32GB of internal storage means no handset required.
• Best for keeping your phone in a jersey pocket → Filenor Bone Conduction Headphones. The listed 33-foot Bluetooth range covers the bike-to-pocket distance comfortably.
• Best for calls on the move → a toss-up with an edge to Filenor. Filenor lists environmental noise cancellation; the Versa has a built-in mic and multipoint but no noise control.
• Best for sharing with a kid or teen → Filenor Bone Conduction Headphones. Its age range covers kids, teens and adults, while the Versa is listed for adults.
If I had to pick one for cycling specifically, I'd buy the Filenor Bone Conduction Headphones. In my opinion, the 29g titanium memory frame, the 33-foot range and the 10-minute quick charge are exactly the qualities that make a headphone easy to live with on ride after ride, and IP55 is enough for sweat and rain. That said, if your riding is part of a swim-and-bike routine, or you ride in genuinely foul weather, I'd go with the FlowMotion Versa instead — IP68 and 32GB of onboard storage are things the Filenor simply doesn't offer. Pick based on whether water is a regular part of your training, not on which sounds nicer on paper.
can you bike with headphones
Yes, and open-ear bone conduction models like these two are the design most riders choose, because they transmit sound through the skull bone and leave your ear canal open so you can still hear traffic. Local road laws vary, so check your area's rules before you ride. In my opinion, keeping your ears open is the single most important feature for cycling audio.
what are the best cycling headphones
For most cyclists, an open-ear bone conduction set with a secure, lightweight frame and enough water resistance for sweat and rain is the right answer. The Filenor fits that brief with its 29g titanium memory frame and IP55 rating, while the FlowMotion Versa adds IP68 and 32GB of MP3 storage for riders who also swim. It's a fit question, not a one-size answer.
can cyclists wear headphones
Cyclists can wear them, but the safe approach is to stay aware of your surroundings — which is exactly what open-ear bone conduction is designed for. Neither of these blocks your ear canal, so ambient sound still reaches you. Check your local regulations, since some places restrict headphone use while riding.
how to bike with headphones
Keep the volume low enough that you can still hear cars and voices, use a secure fit so nothing shifts on rough pavement, and keep your phone in a pocket or frame bag within Bluetooth range. The Filenor lists a 33-foot range, and the Versa can play from its 32GB of internal storage with no phone at all. If you ride in the rain often, the Versa's IP68 rating is the more forgiving choice.
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