[Copyright]

Can anyone recommend some earplugs for reducing wind noise? The two I've come across and am considering are Pinlock's earplugs: https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/pinlock-earplugs
and NoNoise Earplugs: https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/nonoise-motorsport-noise-filter-ear-protection

If anyone has tried them both and would care to compare them (or recommend any others) that would be appreciated.

 

[aWanderlustSeoul]

I've tried foam ear plugs and then purchased the NoNoise Motorsport Noise Filter Ear Protection. They are comfortable in my ears and help reduce some wind noise at higher speeds. When wearing them, I can still hear surrounding noise and hear people talking and have a conversation easily.

I'm not familiar with the Pinlock earplugs and they may be relatively new to market. I purchased the NoNoise ear plugs in 2016.

 

[smallbored]

I've tried a number of ear plug brands (neither of the two you linked), including some custom made ones. The best plugs I've found, and have been using for 5-6 years, are called HEAROS. The link below shows a large box but they come in smaller packs also. I use a pair for 3-4 rides, then toss them...they begin to lose their puffiness. If you watch Moto GP you'll see the top riders using foam ear plugs, nothing fancy. Just roll squish them, lube with a bit if spit, and insert in ear as far as your comfortable.

https://www.hearos.com/collections/all-consumer/products/xtreme-protection-series

Even with a good helmet, if you don't wear ear plugs there's a lot of variation in pressure on your ear drums every time you move your head. Beside noise, this pressure variation is also a cause of hearing loss.
I've had riders tell me they like to hear their bike's sounds so they don't wear plugs, but that argument is bogus. You can / will hear what you bike is saying through you bones / body.

Here's a experiment to demonstrate that...shoes off, walk normally across the floor... you will not hear your footfalls unless you really stomp. Put in ear plug and repeat....you'll distinctly hear ever footfall through your bones /body.

 

[Kiwi Rider]

3m 1100

Like smallbored I've tried a few over the years and have settled on the orange colored 3M 1100's. The ones we get at work dont work as well as these so I buy my own in a box of 200 pairs:

https://www.amazon.com/3M-1100-Foam-Plugs-200-Pair/dp/B008MVYL7C

A tip for racers: Use plugs, it helps you concentrate better on what your doing.

 

[SteelHand]

I'm using Alpine Motosafe reusable plugs and they work fine for me. Easy to use and clean and I can still listen to my music and make phone calls (via my bluetooth headset of course) - I got the dual pack and use both sets depending on if I'm just using local roads above 70kph or hitting the freeway

https://www.bikebiz.com.au/alpine-motosafe-pro

https://www.bikebiz.com.au/apparel/motorcycle-protection/ear-protection

The above URL is for you to have a look as they are available everywhere as I'm guessing you're not from Australia

 

[Warp12]

Been using these for years, to sleep....and sometimes ride:

https://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight-Honeywell-Visibility-Disposable/dp/B0007XJOLG/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1524494723&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=howard+leight+laser&psc=1

Very comfortable in the ear.

 

[ozzymoto]

I'm a big proponent of earplugs as they not only save your hearing but also reduce riding fatigue and can help improve focus.

I personally like using earplugs with cords so you don't have to worry about dropping them and can just let them hang around your neck when you're taking breaks. After trying dozens of different brands and styles (you can try various variety packs from https://www.earplugstore.com/), my favorites are the basic foam plugs with internal stems which make them really quick & easy to insert as you don't have to roll them then wait for them to expand. The only drawback to this particular model is they're prob too narrow if you have particularly wide ear canals; otherwise, they're great, and the stems are short so they won't interfere with your helmet at all:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004XZV1GA/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Goldsmith]

Nice! I just signed on this morning to ask the same question. Now I don’t have to!

 

[Copyright]

Thank you all for the recommendations. I probably should've clarified a bit better in my original post though.

I don't really like the foam plugs. I've used them before and ended up opting to not use any plugs, due to the fact that they muffle ALL sounds and I can't hear ANY sounds on the road.

Being able to hear from a Bluetooth or normal conversations are a definite must for me. Bonus points if I can hear other cars honking etc.

 

[Doroyce05]

I use the budget foam earplugs that are rated for 32db. I can hear cars when they honk and as for Bluetooth, the speaker sounds seems cleaner to me. The important thing about the Bluetooth is having the speaker correctly position over your ear without it touch your ear.

Also for the earplugs, I've seen people just jam the earplugs in without compressing it. I usually roll and compress my foam earplugs then put them in my ear while rolled. They would expand and creates a seal in my ear. I've never had an earplug fallout from my ear but they have fallen out of my pocket. A quick tip is to carry 3 earplugs. 2 to use and have 1 in the tiny little pocket found on most jeans for when you see your ear plug roll on the ground that is covered with dirt and oil

 

[invenio]

As others have mentioned. Ear plugs are really the way to go if you want to reduce sound. Unless you are riding in a spacesuit, you are going to get high level noise with highway travel.

I highly recommend these if you have "difficult ears."
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000DZF7T6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

Those squishy foam ones would always get loose or become dislodged with putting my helmet on.

 

[JFMNINJA400]

As others have mentioned. Ear plugs are really the way to go if you want to reduce sound. Unless you are riding in a spacesuit, you are going to get high level noise with highway travel.

I highly recommend these if you have "difficult ears."
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000DZF7T6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

Those squishy foam ones would always get loose or become dislodged with putting my helmet on.

The foam ones suck, they never stay in place. I usually wear the ones in this post. I cut the strings off, I prefer them loose. I usually grab them from Walmart. But 3 for 5 bucks is a huge bargain.:clap: I will be ordering some. Ear plugs are awesome for cutting down on the wind noise.

 

[invenio]

The foam ones suck, they never stay in place. I usually wear the ones in this post. I cut the strings off, I prefer them loose. I usually grab them from Walmart. But 3 for 5 bucks is a huge bargain.:clap: I will be ordering some. Ear plugs are awesome for cutting down on the wind noise.

I also removed the cord. I even cut about half the "holder" portion off so that when I put my helmet on, it doesn't dislodge them.

 

[b0Xcrash]

Yes I had some of the airsoft ones, re-usable, I use them for shooting, and when I welded dumpsters they had dispensers of them at work and they worked amazing.

I tried to use them when riding, but found even cutting the cords off they really, really hurt my ears, the disposable cheap foam ones are all I use now. Get them a little wet after twisting them up and before putting them in and they swell up nicely and work wonders.

 

[Star72]

Yes, earplugs are the way to go if your biggest issue is wind noise.
My problem is a little different. My head is right above the "clear air zone". My head would be a lot more stable if I stretch and sit a bit higher or tuck in, but it sucks at my natural position. It's just a little annoying now that I have to remove the windscreen to bleed my front brake.

 

[bobnoffs]

thanks for all the replies. i have some soft ones and i just ordered the brand someone recommended.
bob noffs

 

[DPW650]

BTW, if you are going to buy earplugs in bulk to save money I would like to suggest getting them from a safety, medical or industrial supplier. The prices some auto or motorcycle suppliers charge are ridiculously expensive.

 

[Kiwi Rider]

BTW, if you are going to buy earplugs in bulk to save money I would like to suggest getting them from a safety, medical or industrial supplier. The prices some auto or motorcycle suppliers charge are ridiculously expensive.

+1 I get mine thru an industrial supplier. 80 bucks (50USD) for a box of 200.

 

[lonewolf]

As others have mentioned. Ear plugs are really the way to go if you want to reduce sound. Unless you are riding in a spacesuit, you are going to get high level noise with highway travel.

I highly recommend these if you have "difficult ears."
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000DZF7T6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

Those squishy foam ones would always get loose or become dislodged with putting my helmet on.

i utilize similar ones from 3M -- https://www.homedepot.com/p/3M-Reusable-Corded-Earplugs-3-Pack-90716-3-10DC/202195388
they do a good job at bringing the noise level down by about 15db it feels such. however, on a day long ride (350 miles say) they start paining big time (to the point of ears going numb) within 2 hrs or so :sad:

Yes I had some of the airsoft ones, re-usable, I use them for shooting, and when I welded dumpsters they had dispensers of them at work and they worked amazing.

I tried to use them when riding, but found even cutting the cords off they really, really hurt my ears, the disposable cheap foam ones are all I use now. Get them a little wet after twisting them up and before putting them in and they swell up nicely and work wonders.

i am thinking of trying these out as well.. https://www.homedepot.com/p/3M-Orange-Disposable-Ear-Plugs-80-Pack-92800-80-6DC/202691611
how long have you had them in at a stretch without any discomfort?

 

[invenio]

i utilize similar ones from 3M -- https://www.homedepot.com/p/3M-Reusable-Corded-Earplugs-3-Pack-90716-3-10DC/202195388
they do a good job at bringing the noise level down by about 15db it feels such. however, on a day long ride (350 miles say) they start paining big time (to the point of ears going numb) within 2 hrs or so :sad:

The ones I linked to are very soft. I've had them in for over 3 hours without any discomfort and my ear canals are very small (I was told this by an ENT doctor). If you have discomfort you may want give them a try. I've also been wearing one pair for months now and it still looks new. So it looks like you can use one pair for an entire season.