BlueAnt’s watertight, Kevlar and Teflon sportbuds epitomize durability
From sweat to saltwater, nothing can get in the way of the sound coming from the BlueAnt Pump HD Sportbuds.
The fully watertight, wireless headphones use everything from Teflon to Kevlar to keep the elements away from the music and ensure the beats stay pumping in your ears.
Australian-based BlueAnt designed the sportbuds for the fully active -- whether sweat-filled in a gym or water-dripped near a beach. The wrap-around construction securely keeps the soft rubberized tips -- they come in multiple sizes per package -- in the ear with comfort. Testing proved the sportbuds easily remain in place, even during active events. Extra stabilizers hold the sportbuds in place even during upside-down experiences, when your extreme sports take you in all directions.
Courtesy of BlueAnt Wireless
The best-in-class wireless range delivers high-quality audio from up to 100 feet away via Bluetooth 3.0. Of course, if chatting while being active is your thing, the buds also have a built-in microphone for handsfree calls. The device features independent audio controls, which are easy to use so there's no need to mess with your music-playing device.
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The customized 12.5 mm speaker drivers and neodymium magnets embedded in the voice coils, among other audiophile-type features wrapped into sportbuds, get completely sealed within the speaker enclosure. The Kevlar shielding has a Teflon coating to repel liquids, earning the sportbuds an IP67 rating -- total protection against dust and protection against immersion between 15 cm and 1 meter -- the only sportbuds with that rating. The device can handle up to three feet of water for up to 30 minutes.
The Pump HD retail for $130 and can stream eight hours of continuous music after a two-hour charge time.
With the BlueAnt Pump HD hanging onto your ear throughout your workout, they’ll drip with as much sweat as you can produce. The watertight feature allows you to rinse them off under a faucet when you’re done, washing away all the sweat, salt and dust you can muster.
Tim Newcomb covers stadiums, design and gear for Sports Illustrated. Follow him on Twitter at @tdnewcomb.
