+1 on the Skull candy earbuds. I picked some up about a month or two back and they are amazing. Super comfy, sound great and were pretty cheap too. Most days I just use foam earplugs but when I am listening to tunes the skull candys do a good job of keeping the wind noise out.

I have a strange right ear and I can't get most earplugs to stay in. This is especially worse when I have to put my helmet on and it knocks an earplug out. I ended up ordering a variety pack from these guys;

http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/...p-1-c-343.html

I went through 75% of the bag before I found a kind that worked. Just in case someone else has the same ear-dilema. (I'm still looking for something better, they can still take 2-3 tries to get the right one in and keep it there).

Surefire sells earplugs with that technology called Sonic Defenders. They use something called the "Hocks Noise Breaker" which claim to dynamically change the level of dB reduction depending on the level of noise. The theory is that you will be able to hear people talking, but louder noises are blocked out. I use them at the shooting range, but shots still seem loud, so I double it up with a pair of muffs.

http://www.enforce-logic.co.uk/ep4.jpg


Another plus is that it uses the shape of your ear to hold the plug in

+ 1

mostly ride w/ plugs or about 2% of time w/ iPod

relative to the reason for traveling faster with earplugs, galaxieman explained it well. I started using earplugs years ago and liked them so much, they became a regular habit when driving truck. Wish i would have started earlier cause my hearing probably would be better now. Wind noise ruins your ears over time, tires you, and distracts. I don't ride without them anymore. It is much more enjoyable with earplugs once you get used to them, then you will want them in always for riding. use hearos.

Every ride.

Sounds like hocus pocus to me.

For that to be true the air pressure from loud noises would have to force the earplug flutes harder against your ear canal.

If it is an electronic device, those have been around for a long time. I've used them as ear muffs, ear plugs are new to me. In time, everything gets smaller though.

Not hocus pocus. Technology has been available with "Wolf Ears" shooting muffs and others for at least 20 years now.

Doesn't matter to me. I use cheap foam plug on the bike and the range. On the bike I'm not talking to anybody but myself. At the range I'd rather remove a 10 cent ear plug than leave on $200 high tech muffs.

I haven't used them, but the information I found said that they use an acoustic filter that only allows a certain decibel level (voice level) to pass through the ear plug. I take this to mean that it is limiting the air pressure (sound waves) that are entering the ear canal to a minimum velocity/pressure that is still audible at voice level. Sounds like it works like a good ole ear plug but probably much more efficient.

Hotbrakes and I rode 300 miles yesterday and finally remembering to use ear plugs made a huge difference cutting out the wind noise and the after ride buzz I generally get after a ride.

got this notice in my email, but it didn't seem to make the thread???

Petebenner has just replied to a thread you have subscribed to entitled - Riding with ear plugs... - in the General Discussion forum of SuperHawk Forum.

This thread is located at: https://www.superhawkforum.com/forum...6&goto=newpost

Here is the message that has just been posted:
***************
Molded with state-of-the-art, super low-pressure foam,
slow release comfort foam.

* Fully skinned and tapered, providing unmatched
user comfort and hygiene.
* User preferred purple color makes them as easy on
your eyes as they are on your ear

Image: http://www.macksearplugs.com/image.p...pg&w=350&h=350

I would suspect it's because of less noise distraction helping you to focus on the task at hand....riding.

Oh, and I wear foam plugs too.