There is a particular moment on a flight when you finally settle in. The bag is overhead, your seatbelt is fastened and there is nothing left to organise for a while. You put on your headphones, find something to listen to and the journey begins to feel like your own time.
Then there are the trips where sitting still is barely on the agenda. You have a running route saved before you have checked into the hotel, or a whole afternoon set aside to explore on foot. Your music comes along, but you want to hear the place you have travelled to see.
This November, Bose takes centre stage at Capi with headphones and earbuds that suit both kinds of traveller, and plenty of people in between. The collection brings together QuietComfort Headphones 2nd Generation, limited-edition QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2nd Generation, Sport Open Earbuds and Ultra Open Earbuds 2nd Generation.
Some bring a little more quiet to the journey. Others leave your ears open to it. Here is where each one comes into its own.
A little quiet goes a long way when you fly often
Frequent travellers know that the small things can make a big difference: a comfortable seat, a charged phone, headphones you are happy to wear beyond the first episode of a series.
Bose QuietComfort Headphones 2nd Generation are made for the listening moments that fill a travel day. Adjustable noise cancellation helps reduce surrounding distractions, while cushioned earcups and a refreshed design put comfort high on the agenda. That is useful well before take-off. A busy departure lounge can become somewhere to catch up on a podcast. A train connection can give you time for an album you have been meaning to hear. Once you are seated on the aircraft, you already have your entertainment sorted.
This generation also brings immersive listening powered by Bose TrueSpatial Technology. It adds a sense of space to your audio, giving you another way to enjoy familiar music. The Bose app lets you personalise settings, and physical buttons keep everyday playback controls within easy reach. Battery life is up to 24 hours, or up to 18 hours with Immersive Audio enabled. Actual performance depends on your settings and use, but it is a helpful feature to consider when your travel day involves more than a single flight.
For someone who flies regularly, the appeal is straightforward: comfortable headphones, control over surrounding noise and room to enjoy whatever you have downloaded. They are just as relevant when you get home and reach for them on the morning commute.
The colour you keep coming back to
You might already know exactly how you like your headphones to sound. Choosing how they look can be the more enjoyable part.
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2nd Generation LE bring Olive Green and Cherry Chocolate into the November collection. Olive Green has an earthy character that works easily with neutral colours. Cherry Chocolate is deeper and warmer, with a finish that brings a little richness to an everyday accessory.
For travellers who follow new colour releases, these limited editions offer a fresh take on something they will use often. Headphones spend plenty of time on show: around your neck at the airport, beside your laptop or on your head as you head out for the day. It makes sense to choose a pair you enjoy looking at.
There is substance behind the colour, too. QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2nd Generation combine noise cancellation with Bose Immersive Audio. CustomTune technology adapts audio performance to the shape of your ears, while Cinema Mode spatialises video sound and balances dialogue. If you tend to save a film for the flight, those entertainment features deserve a closer look. The same goes for travellers who enjoy listening carefully to an album rather than simply having music in the background.
Soft cushions and a padded headband support longer listening sessions. Bose quotes up to 30 hours of battery life, or up to 23 hours with Immersive Audio, depending on settings and usage. The colours may be what draw you over to the display. Take a moment to explore the listening features as well; there is more here than a seasonal change of shade.
For the traveller who packs running shoes first
A new destination means a new route to discover. Perhaps you like an early run before the streets get busy, or a walk that turns into an afternoon out. Even a short business trip can leave room for a workout.
Bose Sport Open Earbuds are designed with that movement in mind. Their lightweight, stable fit and soft silicone design support active use, while the open-ear format leaves your ear canals unsealed. This changes the listening experience. You can have your music with you and remain more connected to surrounding sounds, which may appeal if conventional earbuds feel too enclosed during outdoor activities. Keep the volume appropriate to your surroundings, especially around traffic or anywhere you need to listen closely.
The Sport Open Earbuds have an IP54 rating for resistance to dust and splashes. That is a practical detail for active travellers comparing what to bring on their next trip. The Bose app also allows you to adjust EQ and customise controls. Multipoint Bluetooth connectivity supports connection to two compatible devices, useful if your listening moves between your phone and another device during the day. Fit deserves as much attention as features here. What feels comfortable while sitting at a desk can feel different when you start moving. Ask the Capi team about the design and available demonstration options, and think about the activities you actually enjoy.
If your current earbuds are the one part of your workout kit you keep questioning, this is a good opportunity to explore a different approach.
Keep the music on and your ears open
An open-ear design has a place beyond exercise. You might want music while getting ready in the morning, a podcast during a walk or audio at your desk without feeling quite so enclosed. The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds 2nd Generation suit that kind of everyday listening. Their flexible cuff design wraps around the ear, leaving the ear canal open. Bose OpenAudio technology directs sound towards your ears while allowing surrounding sounds to remain part of the experience.
For people who dislike the feel of silicone ear tips, the design is a reason to be curious. It sits differently from traditional in-ear earbuds and offers a compact alternative to headphones that cover the ears. The second generation brings improvements to sound, calls and battery life, alongside Bose Immersive Audio. It is an option for listeners whose audio follows them through several parts of the day, from a morning commute to a quiet break between plans. There is a style connection here, too. Olive Green and Cherry Chocolate also feature in the Ultra Open Earbuds 2nd Generation collection. The cuff shape gives the colours a different expression, making them interesting for anyone who enjoys accessories with a distinctive look.
Open-ear listening still calls for attention to your environment. At the airport, pause your audio when you need to hear an announcement or speak to someone. Leaving the ear canal open does not guarantee you will catch every sound.
What will you reach for on your next trip?
Picture where you will use your next pair most. If it is mainly in an aircraft seat or a busy lounge, the noise cancellation of the QuietComfort headphones is a useful starting point. For workouts or everyday listening with your ears uncovered, explore the Sport Open and Ultra Open designs. Both open-ear models work without active noise cancellation.
You may even find that your choice starts with a colour and ends with a feature you had not considered. That is part of the enjoyment of discovering new travel technology. Explore the November Bose collection at Capi and speak to our team about the differences. Product, colour and demonstration availability vary by store.
Bring a favourite track and a little curiosity. There could be something new to enjoy before you even board.
