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Two things: 1. Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 Bluetooth speaker. Compact and very loud, also has good battery life. Handy on hikes and similar. The waterproofing

Two things: 1. Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 Bluetooth speaker. Compact and very loud, also has good battery life. Handy on hikes and similar. The waterproofing is excellent and I use it in the shower to listen to podcasts, etc. 2. Sony WH1000MX4 Bluetooth headphones. I was skeptical in getting a full set of headphones as I always preferred earphones. These things have amazing sound quality and noise cancelation which means you don't have to listen to music as loud when outdoors. Battery life is extremely good also. Pricey, but well worth it and highly recommended.

Scottopherson 5y ago
Do you really go hiking with a ‘very loud’ Wonderboom speaker?
joshvm 5y ago
My big gripe with Sony headphones is the touch interface. It's just not very good, triggers accidentally and is awkward to use intentionally (and gloves are out). I wish I'd bought the equivalent Bose headset (they cost the same) with physical controls. Sound and NC wise they're great though, I've never slept better on a flight.
- is0tope 5y ago
  Yes I agree the touch controls are rubbish, and I ended up turning them off. I see where they were going with it, but it's just too unreliable.
moistly 5y ago
> Handy on hikes Are you aware that other hikers hate you for this? I suppose you don’t care.
- Arrath 5y ago
  I can see a use-case for scaring off predators, but the time tested 'bell on a walking stick' sure is more polite to other hikers.
  - naturalauction 5y ago
    If predators are bears then the U.S. National Parks Service cautions against this method, at least in Yellowstone. They claim it’s ineffective as they aren’t loud enough.
    - Arrath 5y ago
      Good to know!
- sergiomattei 5y ago
  Not all! On my last hike we ran upon some folks with a Bluetooth speaker blasting music. I started dancing and having fun with the hikers...
  - loco5niner 5y ago
    While everyone else cringed, and was angry. You may not understand this, but most other people go out to nature to enjoy nature. Blasting music kills the experience. I'm guessing both of you are just kids whose parents missed this particular lesson.
    - sergiomattei 5y ago
      I also go out to nature to enjoy nature. I also enjoy silence outside. You mind hikers with music and I don't. You may not understand this, but there's such a thing as disagreement and preference.
      - loco5niner 5y ago
        I absolutely understand differing preferences. The difference is that someone blasting music is IMPOSING their preference on everyone else.
- blandflakes 5y ago
  It's disappointing that the lack of self awareness translates so faithfully from the trail to HN.
- is0tope 5y ago
  Given the response, I probably should have clarified that this was meant more for camping not hiking per se. I wouldn't use it walking an actual trail with other hikers as that would be rude (and also what the headphones are for anyway) .
loco5niner 5y ago
> Bluetooth speaker.... Handy on hikes Noooooooo. PLEASE enjoy nature and let others enjoy nature. You are missing out (and cheesing off everyone else)

Scottopherson 5y ago

Do you really go hiking with a ‘very loud’ Wonderboom speaker?

joshvm 5y ago

My big gripe with Sony headphones is the touch interface. It's just not very good, triggers accidentally and is awkward to use intentionally (and gloves are out). I wish I'd bought the equivalent Bose headset (they cost the same) with physical controls. Sound and NC wise they're great though, I've never slept better on a flight.

is0tope 5y ago
Yes I agree the touch controls are rubbish, and I ended up turning them off. I see where they were going with it, but it's just too unreliable.

moistly 5y ago

> Handy on hikes Are you aware that other hikers hate you for this? I suppose you don’t care.

Arrath 5y ago
I can see a use-case for scaring off predators, but the time tested 'bell on a walking stick' sure is more polite to other hikers.
- naturalauction 5y ago
  If predators are bears then the U.S. National Parks Service cautions against this method, at least in Yellowstone. They claim it’s ineffective as they aren’t loud enough.
  - Arrath 5y ago
    Good to know!
sergiomattei 5y ago
Not all! On my last hike we ran upon some folks with a Bluetooth speaker blasting music. I started dancing and having fun with the hikers...
- loco5niner 5y ago
  While everyone else cringed, and was angry. You may not understand this, but most other people go out to nature to enjoy nature. Blasting music kills the experience. I'm guessing both of you are just kids whose parents missed this particular lesson.
  - sergiomattei 5y ago
    I also go out to nature to enjoy nature. I also enjoy silence outside. You mind hikers with music and I don't. You may not understand this, but there's such a thing as disagreement and preference.
    - loco5niner 5y ago
      I absolutely understand differing preferences. The difference is that someone blasting music is IMPOSING their preference on everyone else.
blandflakes 5y ago
It's disappointing that the lack of self awareness translates so faithfully from the trail to HN.
is0tope 5y ago
Given the response, I probably should have clarified that this was meant more for camping not hiking per se. I wouldn't use it walking an actual trail with other hikers as that would be rude (and also what the headphones are for anyway) .

loco5niner 5y ago

> Bluetooth speaker.... Handy on hikes Noooooooo. PLEASE enjoy nature and let others enjoy nature. You are missing out (and cheesing off everyone else)