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I read somewhere (don't remember where, may have been here) about the importance of earplugs. That would have NEVER crossed my mind.

Anybody out there wear them regularly? Or is it just a long-trip thing? Is there a certain kind that's preferable for riding (why)? Or would those little cheapy ones that I squinch up and stick in my ear at NASCAR events work?

i have a box full of the squinchy ones that have the string between em. i haven't used them yet, but somedays they would be good, especially for longish trips, that wind noice can drive you bonkers.

as long as i can wear them and still hear everything else that is going on i would wear them.

gxbauman wrote:I read somewhere (don't remember where, may have been here) about the importance of earplugs. That would have NEVER crossed my mind.

Anybody out there wear them regularly? Or is it just a long-trip thing? Is there a certain kind that's preferable for riding (why)? Or would those little cheapy ones that I squinch up and stick in my ear at NASCAR events work?

those will work. use whatever is comfortable. i don't wear them when in town, but any kind of highway/country driving they're recommended. the wind rush alone can damage your hearing permanently

Funny that you posted this. Today was the first time I rode into work with ear plugs. I had just bought some from Target last weekend and today remembered to use them. I have to say it was a pleasing experience and I'll continue to do it. The ones I bought were disposable, but I'll have to see if there are some reusable ones.

I do wear modular helmet so I do get some insulation from engine/wind noise, but the added help of the ear plugs was great. I remember seeing on the packaging that they help reduce noise by about 28 decibels.

Yeah, the kind with the string. That's the ticket! Harder to loose at stops and such. Thanks for chiming in!

I use the same kind that I use at NASCAR events. The little rolly in the fingers and shove in the ear kind. But I don't always remember to put them in. And I usually don't wear them if I'm riding with someone else so I can hear them when we're together at a stop light.

I've found that the kind attached to the string are uncomfortable under my helmet. Feels like they are stabbing down my ears cause the ends stick out of my ears a bit.

Of my 3700 or so miles, perhaps 100 (not counting the MSF parking lot practice) have been *without* ear plugs. Most of that was one trip where I stopped for gas, had to go inside, and forgot to put them in after I was done.

Ear plugs are the way to go... absolutely. It isn't such a big deal around town -- in fact if I ever did much slow speed (i.e. 35MPH speed limit) riding I would probably leave them out for that -- but when the wind noise picks up it is FAR more pleasant to have the plugs in.

I've been trying every sort of ear plugs I can find... both walmart specials and plugs sold in industrial supply places.

Unfortunately, I don't have the brand names of all the different plugs I've tried... but my general findings are:

3M Nextcare Comfort Foam (these are "ribbed for... some reason" and orange) wal-mart ... not very effective, fits loose in my ear, comfortable. Moderately reusable. $4ish for 12 pairs?

EAR (Yellow cylinders of foam) harbor freight ... effective, sharp edges can irritate, but comfortable once you get used to them. Moderately reusable. $0.30/pair (1000-pack for $36ish)

Flents Quiet Please (pale cylinders of foam, similar to EAR) wal-mart ... effective, not very comfortable. Not very reusable. 10-pack for $3ish.

HEAROS Extreme (blue, round on one end, flat on the other) wal-mart ... moderately effective, comfortable for short terms but they get itchy...not very reusable. $3ish for 10 pair.

MOLDEX PURR-FIT (bright green and large, same shape as HEAROS) from an industrial hardware store ... feels very large first time you try them on... I almost just pulled them out and disregarded them. Most effective tested. Comfortable after a few minutes or by the second wearing. Good for long term wear. Fairly reusable. $0.30/pair (1000-pack for $36)

3M 1100 Foam Ear Plugs (bright orange, same shape as HEAROS) from an industrial hardware store ... feels similar to MOLDEX PURR-FIT but slightly smaller. Rated NNR is 26 but more effective than HEAROS and 3M Nextcare comfort plugs (which are rated higher), good for long term wear, fairly reusable. $0.30/pair (1000-pack for $36ish)



The MODLEX plugs (and 3M I think) are available with a connecting cord for a bit more money.

The 3M Nextcare plugs may be identical to 3M 1120 or they may be a softer foam.

Note that ears vary a lot and what is comfortable, small, large, weird, or great for me may be horrible (or perfect) for you.

Ok, found the ones I used online at 3M: http://www3.3m.com/catalog/us/en001/saf ... utput_html

Works very well. After I'm done with these, I'll look for the ones with a cord or reuasable ones.

Actually, I have to issue a correction... what I was calling Flents before are actually "3M Nextcare Ear Plugs Comfort" ... I just had them in a "flents" ear plug case... I'm going to edit the original post.

I only use earplugs on long rides, never around town (although it wouldn't be a bad idea).

I used to use the reusable kind on a string, like these :

http://www.pro-am.com/Catalog/Exec/prod ... uct_id=907

But, I had a problem keeping them clean. You can't just pop them out and let them hang around your neck when you stop. They will get dirty and you will likely get an ear infection. I got a couple before I quit using them. I figured if I wasn't going to have the convience of having them hanging around my neck, I might as well use the disposable foam/wax type. The level of protection is adequate with either kind of plug. The disposables just ensure that you get a nice clean one each time.