Airpod static when outside

My airpods work well indoors on my iPhone SE.

As soon as I step outside, however, I am forced to hold my phone within 2 feet of the airpods for seamless playback of podcasts.

When jogging, with the phone strapped to my arm, i get static. If i hold the phone in my hand, no static, even though my phone is farther from the airpods.