The Jaybird Vista 2 comes in a very sleek little package - a curvy, colour-coded case that doubles as a charger for the ear buds inside. The effect is a portable-looking first impression; great for travel or for stashing in a daypack for any adventure.
The buds themselves actually look a little chunky, but once situated feel quite comfortable and unobtrusive. Having said that, getting a secure feeling fit isn't entirely straightforward, and the three different sized eargels seem to vary only in the size of the arm that hooks around the curves of your outer ear. Anyway, once they're in they feel relatively stable for active pursuits.
The sound quality is good if not mind-blowing, but what is really impressive is the accompanying app which allows for a surprising level of control over how these things operate. All button operations are customizable (volume control, track skipping, etc.), there are tons of presets to try out, and the interface is highly usable.
The battery life is good, and it's nice to know that even if left on standby for a few days, the earbuds will still be ready to go when needed.
But for us active travellers what really makes the Vista 2 of interest is the toughness. The IP68 rating makes for a high degree of water- (and dust-) resistance and of course protects against sweat too. Importantly the SurroundSense mode also allows you to remain aware of what's going on around you.
They're not the cheapest out there, but neither are they the most expensive, and for a well-thought out, dependable product, they could be among the best buys for adventure.
