Weekly Blog #23 - Are tunes OK on the Trail?
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posted: Saturday, October 4th, 2026
You've probably come across hikers wearing Airpods? But should they BE on trails?
There are a few fierce debates thrown around trail campfires. Hiking Boots vs. Trail Runners. Squeeze vs. Platypus. Shorts vs. Pants.
But there's always one that seems to never get settled: should hikers be listening to music as they hike?
The 'Purist' Camp
On one side of the coin are those that adamantly insist that you 'miss' a huge part of the natural world when you pop in earbuds and roll out with a playlist. Bubbling brooks, birds singing and bickering squirrels are all drowned out by music or podcasts. The purists insist you're in nature to get away from the noise - it makes no sense to intentionally plug into it.
They are also quick to point out that a hiker's safety can be compromised when they listen to noise-cancelling devices. You could miss the sound of a bear foraging just off the path or never hear the aggressive rattle of a coiled timber rattler. Worse yet, you could miss the shouted warnings of hunters or the desperate cries of injured hikers.
The 'Tech' Camp
On the flip side, you have those who defend their lightweight marvels of music and sound. They insist good music can make them better hikers - pushing them through tough climbs when the only other sounds audible may be heavy panting and grunted curses. They argue that music is not a replacement for nature - bur rather an energizing soundtrack accompanying it. It's bringing along a comforting part of their world along on the journey.
They also argue that earbuds are not a safety issue - but in some cases a true enhancement of it. Using voice commands connected to their airpods - they can more easily access weather reports, call someone for help or get turn-by -turn navigation help.
OK, so in which camp does Sponge reside?
Sponge hates to pick sides, because it means alienating one camp of hikers. But if he was forced to choose, he's be a member of the 'Tech' camp. However, he has learned the hard way that no side is without drawbacks.
While on the Superior Trail, he encountered the most vicious, pound-for-pound fearless, feathered creature he has ever FOUGHT on a trail: The Grouse.
These birds, which resemble a miniature turkey when their tailfeathers are spread, are lunatic crazy aggressive...especially if they have young little grouse nearby. They also have a distinct sound - it sounds like a combination of squawking, clucking and a machine-gun fast drums.
Sponge was attacked by Grouse three times over 150 miles - the first time while wearing airpods. He then decided to forgo music to be better prepared for future Grouse attacks - but it happened twice more, including once when a grouse practically fell out of a tree on top on him.
So while grouse may not be a perfect tiebreaker - Sponge can understand how having full control of your hearing can be an asset during a hike. Some hikers believe in using only one airpod, but Sponge feels that's a bit extreme. Instead, he tends to slip in airpods right before a tough climb or when he needs to churn out some quick miles to reach camp before dark.
Is 'Juice' a final consideration?
One thing to consider for those still deciding their 'side' - are earbuds worth the drain on your cell phone and battery pack (that charges everything)? Luckily, most listening devices deliver long battery life. Die hard music lovers can even go a corded route to save even more juice - although Sponge would most certainly find a way to tangle or break them in such a configuration.
Still, if you're trying to stretch your "charge" - it can be a consideration. You wouldn't, for example, want to use up your battery pack and have no charge left for your GPS or headlamp. Those bringing along airpods should make sure they have a sufficient battery pack or two to charge them along the way.
Just don't be THAT guy
There is one rarity that purists and tech camps will agree on. At SOME point, you will likely come across a hiker that is wearing a Bluetooth speaker blaring music loud enough to challenge a flock of pissed-off grouse.
Sponge has come across several. Like a guy flying down the fairway in a golf cart beatboxing to Eminem at 100 decibels, you're just as much of an earsore...and a moron. Save the DJ audition for your nephew's 13th birthday - we don't need to witness or hear it.
And the grouse will eat you alive.