I bought these:
http://www.sennheisernordic.com/nordic/ ... nes_500155As an emergency budget option for about fifteen quid from Maplin and I've found them a perfectly serviceable all-rounder, though listening to something on a £100 pair of Sennheiser afterwards will show you the flaws, a Senn of any cost will generally compare favourably against most else in the price bracket.
My out and about earbuds are these:
Which I first bought in 2006 when I needed a pair that'd run with my new Zen Sleek Photo player while I traction kited. With kite lines bobbing about I needed something that'd basically sit flush with my body in all states, in my ears or out. These do - long long cable on a spool, has a clip on it. Then you've the volume dial, which clips again... a light player with a tie hole on it can live on the loop at the bottom. The wheel is easily adjustable to a fine degree, and sits by your tits when worn. The gray lanyard hangs comfortable on your neck and has a safety snap on the back so I can wear it when I'm working with violent folk. No chance of strangulation by it under any sporting or professional circumstances. The green lines from the lanyard to the buds are just so, and never get in my way. When you aren't wearing the buds which have three grades of green fitting to suit the ear, they magnetically lock to each other behind your head, or to the silver front of the volume dial, no missing. I paid thirty quid for the first pair and about fifteen for a second, which are still boxed, for when the first pair dies.
These days, for roughly twenty pounds, it's a bargain but get them when you see them, they're off the official site and nothing similar exists to replace them. Sound is excellent. Currys often have them in Cardiff.
One caveat - the green cabling is not immune to getting caught in a zip, with potential knackerage if you zip up in a carefree manner.