There are "in-canal" earbuds that sit right inside the outer ear canal - they provide a much better sound and don't tend to fall out as easily. However, if you go running with these in, be prepared to get run over by the truck you didn't hear...

Ha! I thought it was just me. I spent a small fortune trying to find ear buds that would stay in; I don't have compliant ears either - ALL earbuds fall out of my ears and all I have to do is twitch a facial muscle. If I sit motionless I have a change of one staying in for a full minute. The ones that sit "in-canal" sound horrible. I now have a type that hooks over the ear and looks like large bluebottle fly eyes but they are working for me.

I hate earbuds!! They drive me insane as they never stay in longer than about 30 seconds regardless of the activity.

I have however since found the ones that have a clip that goes over the top of your ear as well. Now I can do whatever I feel like and I never lose sound! IOf course I will never look cool like those with the white cords....

Are the earbuds being worn with foam covers on them? The photos don't show any. These help them fit the ear and also help keep dirt out of them.

There are good 'in canal' earbuds available where the soft plastic tips can be replaced with foam tips - roll them between your fingers to squash them before placing them in the ear and they then slowly ping out and take on the shape of the ear canal. They are very comfortable and stay in just fine. Sorry I'm not a runner so can't vouch for their staying power in action.

Mine are Etymotic Research earbuds bought in USA. There are other 'in canal' buds available in NZ that fit right into the ear and stay in better.

I have always had problems keeping earbuds in my ears, and they are also uncomfortable, especially in one ear.

I have solved the problem by getting Koss "The Plug" customized fit earphones, they have a rubbery plug that you squeeze, insert, and it expands to fit. Much less trouble with them falling out. And they work very well worn under protective earmuffs, great when working with power tools.

I've used over a dozen different brand/models, specifically for mountain biking.

Soundwise, generally the more you pay the better the sound, and I have had better luck with the in canal types.

I haven't found any particular favourite for "stick-ability". I think the movement and the catching of the cord tends to cause the buds to loosen or fall out. Clip-on ones don't seem to suit me any better...

My favourite brands have been Sony (MDR-Ex71), B&O and some of the top end Philips models.

Try BOSE earbuds - among the more expensive. They come with changeable silicon eartips of varying sizes, so you can custom-fit them to each ear. Of all earbuds I've used over the years, these come the closest to staying in MOST of the time. And they sound great.

I had nothing but trouble with the earphones supplied with my I-Pod while running. Had to push them back in literally every 15 seconds or so to keep them from falling out. I bought some Skullcandy earbuds that come with three different sized pairs of silicon eartips. They stay in my ears now with no need for adjustment even on hour long runs. The sound quality is good and I don't need as much volume on the I-Pod for the same sound quality, the seal is that efficient. The Skullcandy earbuds are relatively inexpensive as well. It has certainly increased my enjoyment of and the usefullnes of my I-Pod.

I can't keep the ear buds in so like the ones with clips over the ears. However I pulled the cord out of one of mine, and when I went looking for a replacement couldn't find any where the clip over the ear was adjustable as in my old set. If the bud was in my ear, the ear clip was way above it, so they seemed designed for jumbo ears. Furthermore they are all sealed up in plastic packets these days, and getting the store to open them so you can see if they fit is a mission in itself. Does anyone know of any brand with adjustable ear clips?

I have suffered this issue for years - put it down to my slightly silly looking ears and also use the clip over style (as I need to use this style of headphone for running - all other times I uses regular over-the-head headphones). I have a friend who owns a pair of the expensive bud style with rubber grips similar to earplugs. She swears by them, so one day when I'm feeling rich I will definitely invest.

I have to agree that whoever designed in ear headphones was obviously in marketing and never listened to music. You have actually had the two best options pointed out already: Etymotic Research (Google them) in the USA have far and away the best track record in making the bud part that goes in the ear. Vastly superior and they work with many of the actual headphones. Koss (also USA) make arguably the best quality and sound headphones in the lighter weight market - and they aren't super expensive. The bud as previously mentioned uses similar technology to Etymotic in forming individually shaped buds that form to your ear canal shape over several uses and simply stay put. Better yet the Etymotic plugs work directly with The Plug, which itself is a very good headphone. Koss have one advantage Ive never seen anyone else have the guts to offer - a lifetime worldwide guarantee. I have a set of Porta-Pro headphones bought in 1987. They have repaired cords, plugs and driver units no less than 4 times for free - and each time the cushions came back replaced as well. Speaking of which anyone in their right mind would forget about in ear buds after one listen to a set of Porta-Pros. These headphones have got to be the best find of my life and as an audiophile I hear new offerings every year and nothing ever beats them. Still available and sold after 30 years you can but them through places like Ascent technology online for under $100 NZ. You wouldn't ever consider buds again.

Can anyone tell me where you get the earphones that clip on to your ear? This would surely solve the problem with them falling out.

Thank you Mike for all your helful info, I will be investigating these. I resent the poor quality sound that comes out of most earphones and am pleased to find recommendations from users keen on quality. Most earphones whether they be on top of the ear or in the ear make my ears sore so will also be glad to find some that don't hurt.

With the usual style earbuds like those pictured I could never get enough base, nor could get them to stay in my ear longer than 10 seconds and found that turning them sideways so that the speaker actually faces to the front of my ear (ie in the direction you are facing) fixed both problems. Way better base and would stay 'wedged' in my ear longer. Then I discovered in-ear or in-canal buds that plug directly into the ear canal and these generally work better on all counts and cancel a bit of noise as well, especially once you get the size of the rubber lug right.

Like a couple of other writers, I have a set of Etymotic Research in-canal ear plugs. I was dubious at first, but having used them with an iPod travelling to and from work, and running three times a week, I can honestly say these things are amazing. They stay put when running, block a significant amount of background noise (important on the train), and the volume does no need to be loud. The sound is clear and crisp. Best ear plugs or head phones I have ever owned by a long shot.

I totally agree with you!! I hate ear buds and no matter what I do, I cannot get them to stay in my ear. I make one movement and they fall out. Just as well I got some noise cancelling headphones!

iPod earbuds - ARGH!
Somehow in my vast pile of electronica I found a pair of Philips earbuds that have a soft rubber-ish piece that goes around the back of the ear. Ahhh. I can move about, or more importantly, sleep in these without them falling out. NO IDEA where they came from or how to find another pair. If they ever go missing I'll be very sad!

I have a set of Bose in canal type with custom sized inserts which are molded and find them great, far better sound than any others I’ve tried and they stay in while riding, running etc. I bought them in USA for around $100. My wife has a set of waterproof Philips on ear type with a clip behind each ear & a full over ear silicon pad, these are for Gym type use. These are also great but not the coolest looking mind you. Last but not least because I have a real MP3 player (Samsung P2) with Bluetooth I also have a set of on ear "head band type" cordless Nokia headphones, these are very light, rechargeable & sound great. Bonus they can switch between phone and MP3 automatically & have a built in mic. Very comfortable for long periods of time and able to run or bike with them. Standard ear buds are good for nothing other than to tie up your rubbish bags on collection day.

Agree with an earlier comment that adjustable earhook earbuds are getting hard to come by.The last Panasonic ones I bought had no adjustment at all. But I did find a slighlty more expensive model made by Ear Candy, the "Chops". The ear bud part pivots and telescopes up and down on the ear hook. Slightly different in that the cord exits from the ear bud rather than following the hook to exit behind the ear like most of my previous earhooks.

Ear candy "Chops" available from CD and DVD store. EarHook style earbud size fully adjustable for height and pivot for fit. Silicon rubber-feel finish, very small 3.5mm stereo connector. Recently I found it very hard to find earhook type earbuds. The other availble ones i found were panasonics that had not adjustment and swung out of my ears. I have previously bought Philips and Optimus (Optimus had a useful on-cord volume control.) but philips and optimus don't seem to be available. I like to wear ear hooks under ear muffs. (The worst thing is to have ear buds fall out inside your earmuffs in a noisy environment when you have dirty hands)

After I bought the Ear Candy "Chops", I did notice someone who had bought some Sanyo ear hooks from the warehouse.

I use yurbuds and they are the best earbud I've used. they are guaranteed never to fall out, and for me, they are holding that promise. They are awesome because not only do they stay in and I never have to fuss with the, but I forget that I even have them in. Only 20 bucks too! www.yurbuds.com They get my recommendation.