If you want a simple, wired on-ear headphone with closed-back sound isolation for hiking, choose SAMSON SR450; if you need Bluetooth freedom and long battery life for hiking, choose Audio-Technica ATH-S220BTBK. The Samson is the more straightforward pick for a lightweight, no-battery setup. The Audio-Technica is more versatile when you want to connect to multiple devices, take calls, or listen without a cable.
• SAMSON SR450: 40 mm dynamic drivers, a wired connection, and a closed-back design for sound isolation; its main trade-off is that it has no wireless option.
• Audio-Technica ATH-S220BTBK: Bluetooth connectivity, multipairing, a built-in microphone, and up to 60 hours of battery use; its trade-off is that wireless listening depends on charging.
• Choose the SR450 if you want a simple wired headphone for music or other listening without managing a battery.
• Choose the ATH-S220BTBK if you want wireless listening, device switching, calls, or low-latency audio for compatible mobile use.
The SR450 is a wired, on-ear headphone with 40 mm dynamic drivers and a closed-back design. That closed-back construction is intended to reduce surrounding noise, which can be useful when you want to focus on audio in a busy setting. Its adjustable headband and wide cushions are designed with extended listening in mind, while the included 1/8-inch-to-1/4-inch adapter gives it a connection option beyond its standard 3.5 mm jack.
For hiking, the SR450 makes sense if you prefer a direct wired connection and do not want battery life to shape your listening plans. Its listed weight is 8.64 ounces, and its design is described as lightweight and rugged. Still, on-ear headphones are not a substitute for outdoor awareness: sound isolation can make it harder to hear what is happening nearby. I would keep that in mind on trails shared with cyclists, vehicles, or other hikers.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-22 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
Skip the SR450 if Bluetooth, hands-free calls, or switching between a phone and another device are priorities. It is a wired model, and the listed features do not include a built-in microphone or wireless controls. For a young listener, it may also be tempting to search for a “memory foam ear cushions kids headset for hiking,” but the available product details do not specify memory foam or identify this as a children’s headset. Its stated age range is adult.
The ATH-S220BTBK is the more flexible choice for someone who wants Bluetooth headphones for music, videos, games, and calls. It supports multipairing, so it can connect to a phone and a work or school computer or tablet at the same time. A built-in microphone handles calls, and Low Latency Mode is intended to reduce audio delay when watching videos or playing games on a compatible smartphone or tablet.
Battery life is a major part of its appeal: the manufacturer lists up to 60 hours of use, with a 10-minute charge providing up to 3.5 hours under stated conditions. It also includes a 1.2 m cable with an in-line microphone and controls for times when a wired connection is preferred. For hiking, wireless listening can mean fewer cables to manage, but this model still needs charging, and its listed Bluetooth range is 10 meters. The supplied information does not specify water resistance, so I would not assume it is designed for wet or rugged trail conditions.
This is the stronger fit if you want a headphone for both outdoor listening and everyday calls, commuting, or gaming. It is not the right choice if you want sound isolation as a stated feature: its listed noise control is “None,” though the close-fitting earpads are described as helping minimize sound leakage. And if you are hunting for the “best bluetooth gaming headset for hiking,” keep the distinction clear: the ATH-S220BTBK offers low-latency mode and a built-in microphone, but the supplied details do not describe it as a dedicated gaming headset.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for avoiding battery management → SAMSON SR450. Its wired connection does not require charging for listening.
• Best for wireless trail listening → Audio-Technica ATH-S220BTBK. Bluetooth removes the headphone cable, though the headphones must be charged.
• Best for calls → Audio-Technica ATH-S220BTBK. It has a built-in microphone, and its included cable also has an in-line mic and controls.
• Best for connecting to more than one device → Audio-Technica ATH-S220BTBK. Multipairing supports connection to a phone and a computer or tablet at the same time.
• Best for long listed battery use → Audio-Technica ATH-S220BTBK. Its stated maximum is up to 60 hours, with fast-charge support.
• Best for a straightforward wired setup → SAMSON SR450. It uses a 3.5 mm jack and includes a 1/8-inch-to-1/4-inch adapter.
• Best headband headphones for hiking? Neither is automatically right for every trail. The SR450 has a wired, sound-isolating design; the ATH-S220BTBK offers wireless convenience but has no listed noise-control feature. Choose according to your route and how much awareness of your surroundings you need.
For hiking, I would choose the Audio-Technica ATH-S220BTBK if I wanted wireless freedom, calls, and the option to connect to multiple devices. Its up-to-60-hour battery claim and fast charging make it the more adaptable everyday pair on paper. I would choose the SAMSON SR450 instead if I valued a wired, no-charge setup and its stated closed-back isolation more than Bluetooth features. My personal pick for a hiking-and-daily-use combination is the Audio-Technica, with the caveat that neither product’s supplied details establish water resistance.
The Audio-Technica is the more convenient option if you want Bluetooth and do not want a headphone cable. The Samson avoids charging and has a closed-back design intended to reduce ambient noise. For either pair, consider how much you need to hear around you on the trail.
No Bluetooth connectivity or built-in microphone is listed for the SR450. It is a wired headphone with a 3.5 mm jack, and it comes with a 1/8-inch-to-1/4-inch adapter.
Yes. It includes a 1.2 m cable with an in-line microphone and controls for wired listening. Its wireless mode uses Bluetooth, and the listed battery life is up to 60 hours.
The ATH-S220BTBK is the more suitable choice based on its built-in microphone, multipairing, and Low Latency Mode for videos and games on a smartphone or tablet. The SR450 is wired, but the supplied details do not list a microphone or gaming-specific feature.
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