Gear Closet: JBL Reflect Mini BT Wireless Sport Headphones

In case you haven't heard, there is a new iPhone coming out this week. That's pretty much common knowledge considering how much press Apple gets. But what you might not have heard is that one of the design elements of the new smartphone that is getting the most attention is Apple's decision to drop the standard audio port. This has freed up some precious space inside the phone that Apple engineers can use to add more tech, but it also means that we can no longer simply plug in a standard set of headphones. Moving forward, the iPhone's lightning port will pull double duty for both charging and audio output, which means you'll need to either use a set of lightning earbuds, a lightning-to-3.5mm adapter (included in the box), or wireless headphones to listen to your music, podcasts, and audio books. While all of those are obviously viable solutions, Apple is making a hard push towards Bluetooth headphones, particularly since they are releasing their own unique entry into that market with the new AirPods and some updated wireless options from Beats.

I haven't had a chance to test out the AirPods yet, but I have been testing some other wireless headphones that are specifically designed for use by those of us who are fairly active. I actually made the switch to Bluetooth earbuds awhile ago, and I have to say that it is a niche shift. Not having to deal with cables while running or cycling is a major plus in my book, and I think that while some will continue to be reluctant to make the change, once you do, you'll never want to go back.

Recently I've been testing the new Reflect Mini BT sport headphones from JBL and have discovered a product that ticks all of the boxes in terms of what I'm looking for when it comes to earbuds. And while they may not be quite a fancy as Apple's AirPods in terms of design and technology, they still perform very well and cost a lot less.

The Reflect Mini use Bluetooth technology to connect wirelessly to your smartphone. There once was a time when that pairing process was a bit of hassle, but those days are long over at this point. It literally took just a few seconds to pair the two devices together, and after that when ever I turned on the headphones they would automatically connect with one another. That's the way all wireless audio devices should work, and that has pretty much been my experience with all of them for some time.


As with most wireless earbuds these days, the Reflect Mini comes with an inline remote that allows you to control volume, switch tracks, pause playback, and so on. It even has a built-in mic that gives you the ability to pick up incoming phone calls too. Those are fairly standard features at this point, but JBL has made them easy to use thanks to a remote that has large buttons and a simple, straight forward configuration.

I've tested wireless earbuds in the past, and one of the biggest challenges I've typically faced is finding the right sized rubber ear tips to fit into my ears properly. Some previous models I've tried out have come with as many as seven sets of those silicon inserts, and I'd usually have to mix and match to find the ones that worked best for me. The Reflect Mini ships with four ear tips – two sets of sports and two regular. But, this time out there was now fiddling to find the right fit. The ones that came preinstalled worked perfectly for me right out of the box, snapping into place and staying there while I ran. Obviously you may find that you'll have to play around with the tips a bit to find the ones that work for you, but I've never had fit this good before.

In terms of audio performance, I found these earbuds to be solid, but not overwhelming. Music sounds crips and clear, even at higher volumes, and there was even some solid bass mixed in, something you don't always find on smaller, sport-oriented earphones. The Reflect Minis probably aren't going to win any awards for their performance, but in terms of something that you want to wear out on a run or for a workout at the gym, they are definitely up to the challenge. I will note that some of the podcasts I listened to while wearing these headphones did sound a bit muddled at times, but that is probably more due to the quality of those recordings and less about the earbuds themselves. Music tracks, which have higher production values, sounded great, which is a better way to judge overall quality.

Battery life is the other element that always concerns me, as unlike standard earbuds you'll need to recharge your wireless models on a regular basis. JBL says that the battery is good for about 8 hours playback, although that number can vary depending on volume, audio source, and so on. In real-world testing, I found that I was getting closer to 6 hours of battery life, which for me translates to having to recharge after I've run with the earbuds four or five times. While I would like to get a bit more battery life out of the Reflect Mini, I've been mostly satisfied with their performance so far.

On that note, it doesn't seem that JBL has built-in an auto-off feature for the Reflect Mini, which means if you accidentally leave them on, you'll drain the battery somewhat even when they're not in use. When you're done working out, be sure to turn them off so they'll be charged for your next session.

Since these are earbuds designed for use while being active, they have been built to be sweat proof. That means that they can survive your wet hands pawing at the remote control or you working up a good sweat while running. That doesn't mean that they are water – or even rain – proof however, so keep that in mind when using them. I've had other wireless earbuds that were sweat proof in the past, and some would stop working if I used them on a run in the rain. I don't know if that will be the case here, as I haven't tried the Reflect Mini BT in the rain yet, but it is definitely something to keep in mind.

In terms of long term durability, we'll simply have to wait to see how well these earphones perform. Right now, they function very well, with great battery life, solid audio performance, and very few distortions or audio cut-outs while in use. But, some of the wireless earbuds I've used in the past haven't stood up to the test of time, wearing out after just a couple of months of use. Hopefully that won't be the case here, but only time will tell.

In terms of price, JBL has delivered a good product that performs very well, that won't make your wallet duck for cover. At just $99.95, the Refect Mini BT stacks up very well against the competition in terms of performance and value. Apple's new AirPods, which aren't specifically designed for use while exercising, cost $159, making them a bit pricer for those who are just entering the wireless earbud market.

Whether that's you, or if you're simply looking for a new pair of wireless earbuds, the JBL Reflect Mini BT is a good choice.

Gear Closet: Altra Superior 2.0 Trail Running Shoes

Find just the right pair of running shoes can be a bit like searching for the Holy Grail. Legends say that they exist, but actually finding it can be a challenge. As a daily runner, I tend to put a lot of wear and tear on my shoes, and since I am larger than most other runners I typically need footwear that is a bit more substantial than I'd sometimes like. This is especially true when it comes to trail shoes, where the lightweight models have tended to disappoint in the past. That isn't the case with Altra's Superior 2.0 however, as I have finally found a shoe that can provide plenty of comfort and support, while also leaning towards the more minimalist end of the spectrum.

Tipping the scales at just under 9 ounces, these shoes save weight by using a light upper while still maintaining a solid heel and sole. A lot of minimalist shoes cut corners in the amount of cushioning and support that they offer, but that isn't the case here. In fact, I've found that these shoes provide enough protection to my feet that I can use them on both the trail and the road, although they are definitely better suited to the former.

Durability doesn't seem to be an issue either, as after putting a decent amount of mileage on them, the Superior 2.0's look and feel like new. Then again, most of my running shoes tend to look nearly new, even after they've lost their ability to cushion my feet on a run. Still, having used these shoes for more than a month, the only indication that they've been run is the bits of dirt and grime they've picked up from the trail.

Altra has included some interesting design options into the Superior 2.0 that makes them well suited for my feet and running style. For instance, they have a wide toe box that actually gives your toes plenty of room inside to spread out when necessary. The result isn't just increased comfort, but also better stability on uneven terrain too. The difference is noticeable almost immediately, and since I started wearing them I've come to appreciate this approach to the shoe's design.


Underneath the shoe, the custom sole has canted lugs that grip a variety of surfaces – both wet and dry – very nicely. This helps to bring an added level of stability to the shoe as well, and I've found that they work just as well in mud and rain as they do on smooth surfaces and even dry pavement. The lugs aren't overly aggressive either, which I appreciate when transitioning from road to trail and back again.

Running in the excessive heat and humidity of summer my shoes tend to get soaked with sweat on a long run. Worse yet, they don't always dry as quickly as I'd like. But the Superior 2.0 is made with lightweight, breathable, and quick drying materials, which have allowed them to avoid getting too damp in the muggy conditions and dry out much more quickly too. As a result, I'm not putting my foot into a wet shoe and they aren't building up awful odors either.

Altra ships the Superior 2.0 with removable StoneGuard inserts that help protect your feet on sharp, rocky surfaces. Most of the time I didn't feel the need to use them, but they definitely come in handy when running a trail that features a lot of potential rock hazards. I like that the rock plate can be removed however, as much of the time it isn't needed at all.

As I've already mentioned, shoes that lean towards the minimalist realm don't always work the best for me. But the Superior 2.0 has been fantastic in every way. I've run 10+ miles in these shoes on more than one occasion, and they have taken everything I've thrown at them and performed well at every turn. In fact, I've been very impressed and surprised with how easy it has been to run in shoes that weigh so little. Typically in the past, anything more than about 3 miles in lightweight shoes leaves me longing for something with more support. Happily, that isn't the case here, and I look forward to even longer runs once the heat of the summer starts to subside.

If you're in the market for a new pair of trail shoes, and haven't given Altra a look yet, you really owe it to yourself to do so. They're doing some innovative things with their footwear, and I've really enjoyed getting to know the brand a lot better. I have another pair of their shoes in the wings waiting to be tested, and if they perform anywhere close to the level of the Superior 2.0, I'm going to be a happy guy.

Priced at $110 the Altra Superior 2.0 is a relative bargain in my mind. You'll be hard pressed to find a shoe that is this comfortable, durable, and easy to run for that price. Throw in the fact that they are also lightweight, quick drying, and highly breathable, and you have all the makings of a perfect running shoe. Check them out right here.