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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-27 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
• Hawk Scope — biggest strength: open-ear audio plus impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses in one full-rim frame, with Bluetooth 5.0 range up to 33 feet and smart volume that balances your music against traffic and machinery noise.
• Hawk Scope — biggest trade-off: the open-ear design deliberately leaks the world in, so it is not the pick for anyone chasing isolation or deep bass; the data sheet lists no waterproofing rating.
• Holoswim SollaWave — biggest strength: a single integrated system — goggles, IP68 sealed audio, a 4GB offline MP3 player (up to 800 songs), 9-axis motion tracking and AI swim analysis with SWOLF, pace per 100m and stroke type.
• Holoswim SollaWave — biggest trade-off: it is built around the pool. Audio is offline-only because Bluetooth does not survive water, and the App is the control method, so it is not a wear-it-all-day pair.
• For cyclists who ride on open roads and want to stay aware of traffic → Hawk Scope.
• For swimmers who want music plus structured training data in the water → Holoswim SollaWave.
Hawk Scope solves a very specific, very common problem: you want your music and your calls, but you do not want to be deaf to the world around you. The titanium speakers sit outside your ear canal rather than inside it, so road noise, a car horn, a coworker, or a piece of machinery still reaches you. Bluetooth 5.0 keeps the link to your phone or device within roughly 33 feet, and the smart volume adjustment rebalances what you are hearing against what is happening around you. For cycling, that is the whole point — you get a soundtrack without giving up the one sense that keeps you upright.
The frame is full-rim, made of plastic, with polycarbonate lenses carrying an impact-resistant coating. That combination is why the product is pitched at more than one life: cycling and multi-sport on one side, warehouses and power-tool work on the other. The ergonomic fit is described as secure for prolonged wear, which matters more than it sounds — a loose frame on a bike is a distraction, and a tight one on a long shift is worse. One unit, unisex, black frame with black lens. If your day is a mix of riding, working and moving around, this is the kind of gear that stays on your face instead of in a pocket.
Who should skip it? Anyone who wants to disappear into their music. Open-ear audio is a feature, not a flaw, but it means you will hear the world whether you asked to or not. If you need heavy isolation, deep bass, or a device rated for swimming, this is the wrong tool. Also skip it if you want a dedicated training computer — there is no motion tracking or app-based analysis here, just audio and eye protection. And as with anything you buy online, check the current price on Amazon before you commit, since that is the number that decides whether it fits your budget.
SollaWave is a different animal entirely. It is not headphones you happen to wear while exercising — it is a swim system. The goggles, the waterproof audio, the music player and the swim tracker are one device. The 4GB of built-in storage holds up to 800 songs, and playback is deliberately offline. That is not a limitation the brand is hiding; it is the correct engineering call. Bluetooth runs on 2.4GHz, and water absorbs that signal fast, so even a phone on the pool deck will drop out stroke after stroke. Offline storage is the standard approach for swimming headphones for exactly this reason.
The tracking side is where it earns the "AI" in the name. Nine-axis sensors feed a swim algorithm that logs time, distance, laps, pace per 100m, SWOLF and stroke type. After your session, everything syncs to the App, which captures twelve dimensions of swim data with visual charts and exportable history, and the AI Swim Coach reads your training back to you. The IP68 rating comes with a multi-layer sealed construction and an independently isolated audio module, so the drivers keep a stable, balanced output even submerged. Battery is quoted at up to 8 hours of music or up to 80 hours in swim voice-feedback mode.
The details are aimed at people who swim seriously: TÜV anti-fog lenses, a low-drag exterior, an adjustable fit system and replaceable components. Support is spelled out too — 30-day returns and a one-year limited warranty against non-accidental damage, with a separate two-year warranty line in the spec sheet, plus in-app and online service. No monthly fees, no locked features. Who should skip it? Cyclists, runners and anyone who wants to wear audio gear outside the water. It is in-ear, app-controlled, and built for the pool, not the pavement.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for cycling → Hawk Scope. Open-ear audio, impact-resistant lenses and environmental awareness are exactly what riding in traffic demands.
• Best for staying aware of traffic and machinery → Hawk Scope. Smart volume balances your audio against surroundings automatically.
• Best for training data → Holoswim SollaWave. Laps, pace per 100m, SWOLF, stroke type and 12 dimensions of app analysis.
• Best for a job site or warehouse → Hawk Scope. Full-rim polycarbonate lenses plus open-ear audio and Bluetooth 5.0 within 33 feet.
• Best for long sessions → Holoswim SollaWave. Up to 8 hours of music, or up to 80 hours in swim voice-feedback mode.
• Best for a single do-everything device → Holoswim SollaWave. Goggles, ear protection, music player and tracker in one, with no separate straps or trackers.
• Best for everyday wear off the bike → Hawk Scope. A unisex full-rim frame you can leave on between rides and shifts.
If I were buying for cycling, I would take the Hawk Scope sunglasses Safety Headphones. In my opinion, the open-ear design is the correct choice on a bike — hearing a car before you see it is worth more than any amount of bass — and the impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses mean you are not juggling two pieces of gear. The Bluetooth 5.0 link and smart volume keep it simple. The Holoswim SollaWave is the better device for its own job, and if you swim laps and want structured data, it is the one I would point you to without hesitation. But for the keyword that matters here — cycling headphones — Hawk Scope wins.
can you bike with headphones
Yes, but the type matters. Open-ear designs like the Hawk Scope keep your ear canal unobstructed so you still hear traffic, horns and machinery, and its smart volume adjustment balances your audio against surroundings. Fully sealed in-ear headphones block the cues you need on the road. If you ride, open-ear is the safer category.
what are the best cycling headphones
In my opinion, for cycling the best pick here is the Hawk Scope sunglasses Safety Headphones, because it pairs open-ear audio with impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses and Bluetooth 5.0 within about 33 feet. The Holoswim SollaWave is excellent, but it is built for swimming — IP68 sealing, offline MP3 playback and app-based swim tracking, not road awareness.
how to bike with headphones
Keep one ear open to the environment. With Hawk Scope, the titanium speakers sit outside the ear canal, so you hear the road while you listen, and the smart volume rebalances music against ambient noise automatically. Keep the volume modest, stay in the bike lane, and treat audio as background rather than a wall.
can cyclists wear headphones
Legally it varies by state and country, so check your local rules. From a practical standpoint, open-ear audio is the sensible compromise: the Hawk Scope frame protects your eyes with full-rim impact-resistant lenses while leaving your hearing open. That gives you music and calls without cutting yourself off from the traffic around you.
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