Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Outdoors
  3. News

Skullcandy turns to action sports with the Vert Bluetooth earbuds

Kraig Becker
By
1 of 4
Skullcandy
Bob Plumb/Skullcandy
Skullcandy
Bob Plumb/Skullcandy
Skullcandy
Bob Plumb/Skullcandy
Skullcandy
Bob Plumb/Skullcandy

In the increasingly competitive market of wireless Bluetooth earbuds, Skullcandy is looking to set itself apart from the competition by introducing a line of products designed with outdoor enthusiasts and fitness buffs in mind. Dubbed the Adventure Audio line, several of these products made their debut at last week’s Outdoor Retailer convention in Denver, including one device that is built to meet the specific needs of action sports athletes such as skiers, snowboarders, and mountain bikers.

Recommended Videos

The new Vert Bluetooth earbuds have a lot in common with most other wireless earphones, including crisp audio, quick and easy paring with a device, and the ability to make and take phone calls. They are designed to be comfortable to wear for extended periods of time and are even IPX4 certified, which means they are sweat and water resistant, making them a good choice for use in active pursuits. But what makes the Vert completely different from any of its competitors isn’t the earbuds themselves, but the unique remote control disk that Skullcandy has attached to them.

Related

The dial is a small disk that is designed to attach to the side of helmet, goggle strap, backpack harness, or even a pocket, giving the user easy access to the Vert’s controls at all times. The dial itself has a large, glove-friendly button that makes it easy to play and pause music and podcasts, and it comes with a built-in jog wheel that gives users the ability to adjust volume and skip tracks. The device even provides access to a smartphone’s built-in virtual assistant, making it easy to access Siri or Google Assistant at any time.

Bob Plumb/Skullcandy

The idea behind the Vert is to make it easier than ever for outdoor athletes to listen to music while taking part in their favorite sports. With that in mind, the earbuds are designed to allow some ambient noise to creep through, helping to keep the wearer more aware of his or her surroundings. Those same earbuds were also built to fit comfortably under a helmet, while keeping the controls within easy reach at all times.

Unfortunately, the Vert won’t make it out in time for use during this ski season. Skullcandy tells us they’re on track for release in September of this year for $79. Considering the fact that they offer up to 12 hours of battery life, not to mention a convenient way to rock out while on the mountain, that seems like a budget-friendly price point.

Watch the Skullcandy website for more details.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Kraig Becker
Kraig Becker
Contributor
Kraig Becker is a freelance outdoor writer who loves to hike, camp, mountain bike, trail run, paddle, or just about any other…
JLab Go Air Pop vs. Skullcandy Dime: Which ultra-budget buds are best?
JLab Go Air Pop and Skullcandy Dime charging cases with open lids.

It’s hard to believe that it’s even possible to buy a set of cheap true wireless earbuds for less than the price of two movie tickets, but thanks to Skullcandy and JLab, that’s where we are. What’s even more amazing is that their ultra-affordable products (the $25 Skullcandy Dime and $20 JLab Go Air Pop) don’t suck. They both offer decent sound, good build quality, and even some modest protection from water. But is one of these products better than the other? And should we assume that if the answer is yes, that it’s the more expensive set of buds that are the best?

There’s only one way to find out, so we put them head-to-head.

Read more
Master & Dynamic MW08 Sport first impressions: Lighter weight, wireless charging
Master & Dynamic MW08 Sport true wireless earbuds.

Master & Dynamic (M&D) has just released the $349 MW08 Sport, an almost identical set of true wireless earbuds to the company’s MW08, which it debuted earlier this year for $299. So what makes the MW08 Sport so er, sporty? And why do they cost $50 more than the regular MW08? It pretty much comes down to weight and wireless charging.

The original MW08 are a stellar set of active noise cancellation (ANC) earbuds, with fantastic sound quality, battery life, and ergonomics. But their slick-looking all-metal charging case, at 2.8 ounces, weighs considerably more than most charging cases and it doesn’t support wireless charging.

Read more
Jaybird’s new Vista 2 wireless earbuds are tough enough for the U.S. military
Jaybird Vista 2 earbuds in palm with water pouring.

Many brands claim that their headphones are catered to consumers who are "on the go," but usually this sort of language refers more to going to the coffee shop for a latte than, say, going on a trek through the Andes. Jaybird, however, is more interested in the latter, and its newest pair of true wireless earbuds is designed to be your companion through even the most extreme of journeys.

When Jaybird says that the Vista 2 True Wireless Sport Earbuds are built for athletes and adventurers, they mean it. To begin with, the company claims to have pioneered a "signature fit" to help the earbuds stay in your ears while climbing, running, biking, etc. They also come with three sizes of interchangeable "eargels" that, Jaybird claims, will make you forget that they're even in your ears. Fit is enormously important with active headphones, and when we reviewed the Vista 2's predecessors -- the Jaybird Vista -- we found they delivered in that department.

Read more