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Custom molded ear plugs

A while back when I was riding every single day I bought a "try everything" earplug kit from here: http://www.earplugstore.com/ and proceeded to use all 36 some odd earplugs over the course of a few months. The single most important thing is comfort for me. Can you ride for 3 hours without feeling the earplugs? If not, they're no good.

The best ones hands down were these, and coincidentally also the quietest: http://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight-LPF-1-Uncorded-Earplugs/dp/B000RMFGGY

If you have exceptionally large ear canals, I found these to be similar in comfort and quietness, but a bit too large for me: http://www.amazon.com/Moldex-6870-M...qid=1422674359&sr=1-1&keywords=moldex+meteors
 
From this site:


Durability and Noise Attenuation

Pre-molded earplugs are more durable than generic foam plugs but they are not quite as effective as the best foam plugs, generally speaking. This is due to the difficulty in establishing and maintaining a good acoustic seal in the ear canal. Pre-molded plugs are less pliable than foam plugs and do not expand to fill the canal like foam plugs so proper fit is essential.
Click to expand...
 
dont advise the fit ear

I wasn't impressed after shelling out 50 bux for a pair in Long Beach a few years ago.
Why?? the material is too damn hard, they broke seal when I was able to get them in my ear.. ie facial expressions.
Just very uncomfortable and a waste of money.
I will be getting me a set of the Sonic Defenders to try out though.
 
i got mine at a recent gun show and they work great. If you live anywhere near Tesla's Fremont facility the guy told me he's there every Thursday during lunch making molds.

NRDSSd
 
kuksul08 said:
The best ones hands down were these, and coincidentally also the quietest: http://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight-LPF-1-Uncorded-Earplugs/dp/B000RMFGGY
Click to expand...

These are my favorites as well. I've had $200 custom molded ones before (with the switchable db filters) which were great for playing music and going to concerts, but sucked under a helmet because as it's been said they don't always keep a great seal. Tried the Surefire Sonic Defenders for a while and they do a great job, but eventually start to hurt. I tried all kinds of foamies and I've been using those green howies for about a year now and am very happy with them. They are smaller and softer, but keep a good seal and block just enough noise (while allowing me to still hear music from my Sena when turned all the way up).
 
http://www.amazon.com/Radians-Custom-Molded-Earplugs-Blue/dp/B003A28OW6

I can't stand the foam pinch and wedge in your ear earplugs. Constantly irritating to me, they give me an earache/headache, and distracting while I ride. Even the rubber ones that look like tips of a fucking sci-fi blaster I can't stand...

So I decided before I splurge on some $100+ custom wackiness, thought I would try the $10 Radians... and with a bit of finessing (you do have to mix and mold yourself but not to difficult) they work perfectly for me. So much easier in and out than the foamies. And they do expand slightly as they get warm so they do seal pretty well. Not with an airtight annoying suction type seal as someone mentioned just enough that it's a good fit that stays in place. They just rest comfortably and I forget about them.

I've heard that the foamy throw aways offer the best possible protection but I don't notice any significant difference - and really I'm not trying to get complete noise reduction I'm trying to get the dbs below damage level which the Radians do quit well. But more than anything I will wear the molded ones and just can't do the foam ones. Plus the disposable culture shit bugs me but that's another thread.

I did lose one and had to repurchase... but it was still less than a jar of the foamies and far less than some other custom options.

edit: I've also seen people use these and mold in earbud headphones. I personally don't ride with music but it seamed like a good option if you roll that way.
 
Last edited:
NTron3000 said:
http://www.amazon.com/Radians-Custom-Molded-Earplugs-Blue/dp/B003A28OW6

I can't stand the foam pinch and wedge in your ear earplugs. Constantly irritating to me, they give me an earache/headache, and distracting while I ride. Even the rubber ones that look like tips of a fucking sci-fi blaster I can't stand...

So I decided before I splurge on some $100+ custom wackiness, thought I would try the $10 Radians... and with a bit of finessing (you do have to mix and mold yourself but not to difficult) they work perfectly for me. So much easier in and out than the foamies. And they do expand slightly as they get warm so they do seal pretty well. Not with an airtight annoying suction type seal as someone mentioned just enough that it's a good fit that stays in place. They just rest comfortably and I forget about them.

I've heard that the foamy throw aways offer the best possible protection but I don't notice any significant difference - and really I'm not trying to get complete noise reduction I'm trying to get the dbs below damage level which the Radians do quit well. But more than anything I will wear the molded ones and just can't do the foam ones. Plus the disposable culture shit bugs me but that's another thread.

I did lose one and had to repurchase... but it was still less than a jar of the foamies and far less than some other custom options.
Click to expand...

All foamies are not created equal. Out of the sampler pack I used, at least half were horrible and I threw them out after 1 day. They started to hurt, or would be hard to get in the ear.

The max-lites I linked above have absolutely 0 discomfort, and stay compressed for about 5 seconds, plenty of time to put it in your ear properly. They're also the only earplugs I can sleep in if needed, and can wake up with no ear soreness.
 
kuksul08 said:
All foamies are not created equal. Out of the sampler pack I used, at least half were horrible and I threw them out after 1 day. They started to hurt, or would be hard to get in the ear.

The max-lites I linked above have absolutely 0 discomfort, and stay compressed for about 5 seconds, plenty of time to put it in your ear properly. They're also the only earplugs I can sleep in if needed, and can wake up with no ear soreness.
Click to expand...

Don't doubt you're right but after getting the custom Radians... the ease of use, non throw away, fit, less expensive... I'm sticking with the customs. But I recognize it's personal preference (although you are clubbing a baby polar with each pair you callously throw away) just sharing my experience with custom molds that surprisingly worked really well for me. I believe this is where one would leave a "ymmv"
 
NTron3000 said:
Don't doubt you're right but after getting the custom Radians... the ease of use, non throw away, fit, less expensive... I'm sticking with the customs. But I recognize it's personal preference (although you are clubbing a baby polar with each pair you callously throw away) just sharing my experience with custom molds that surprisingly worked really well for me. I believe this is where one would leave a "ymmv"
Click to expand...

Nope my opinion is absolute truth and the only correct opinion. :x

I've never tried the custom earplugs. If they work for you that's awesome! When you get them custom made, do you get a few sets in case you lose them?
 
I used to subscribe to the "cheap soft plugs are best" mentality and went through tons of the "ultimate softness" 32 NRR Hearos. But they're uncomfortable after a couple hours, and those are the best I've tried over the years.

I had a set of custom plugs done by Superior Sound Technology and haven't looked back. These are better and more durable than the $50, on-the-spot plugs sold at gun shows and such, and they're all-day comfortable. I just did two 500 mile days bookending a day with a few hours of track time and some street miles, and didn't even notice them. I've done 750 mile days with them—same level of comfort. Sure, they're not quite as quiet as the foamies, but the foam plugs are distractingly uncomfortable after a few hours. Not ok.

Using a helmet that's reasonably quiet, and sorting out the windscreens on my bikes helps too.
 
Surj said:
I used to subscribe to the "cheap soft plugs are best" mentality and went through tons of the "ultimate softness" 32 NRR Hearos. But they're uncomfortable after a couple hours, and those are the best I've tried over the years.

I had a set of custom plugs done by Superior Sound Technology and haven't looked back. These are better and more durable than the $50, on-the-spot plugs sold at gun shows and such, and they're all-day comfortable. I just did two 500 mile days bookending a day with a few hours of track time and some street miles, and didn't even notice them. I've done 750 mile days with them—same level of comfort. Sure, they're not quite as quiet as the foamies, but the foam plugs are distractingly uncomfortable after a few hours. Not ok.

Using a helmet that's reasonably quiet, and sorting out the windscreens on my bikes helps too.
Click to expand...

Those hearos look extremely uncomfortable. Did you ever try the Howard Leight green ones linked before? They are much smaller and I've worn them for 18 hour days before without discomfort. Even am able to sleep in them when I want. I'll give you a pair to try at the next BBBB if you want.

The last customs I had was nearly 10 years ago so I may be due to retry them. That place you linked does them on discount for my work so I may get a set just to try it again. Helps I can write it off for work as well.
 
I have
superiorsoundtechnology.com

and I like 'em
 
I have some customs. They work well. It's true that they don't block as much noise as good foamies, but it has nothing to do with sealing IME. Mine hold a seal perfectly and are comfortable all day long. It did take a couple of retries on the right ear to get the fit just right though.

The difference in noise attenuation has to do with materials too. The customs are not rated as high for noise attenuation as the really good foamies are (I like the Hearos by the way). Despite the small difference in performance, I still prefer the customs.
 
danate said:
Those hearos look extremely uncomfortable. Did you ever try the Howard Leight green ones linked before? They are much smaller and I've worn them for 18 hour days before without discomfort. Even am able to sleep in them when I want. I'll give you a pair to try at the next BBBB if you want.

The last customs I had was nearly 10 years ago so I may be due to retry them. That place you linked does them on discount for my work so I may get a set just to try it again. Helps I can write it off for work as well.
Click to expand...

I've tried a lot of foam plugs, including some Leights. Not sure on those specifically. I'd be willing to give 'em a shot if you bring me a set. :teeth
 
kuksul08 said:
A while back when I was riding every single day I bought a "try everything" earplug kit from here: http://www.earplugstore.com/ and proceeded to use all 36 some odd earplugs over the course of a few months. The single most important thing is comfort for me. Can you ride for 3 hours without feeling the earplugs? If not, they're no good.

The best ones hands down were these, and coincidentally also the quietest: http://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight-LPF-1-Uncorded-Earplugs/dp/B000RMFGGY

If you have exceptionally large ear canals, I found these to be similar in comfort and quietness, but a bit too large for me: http://www.amazon.com/Moldex-6870-M...qid=1422674359&sr=1-1&keywords=moldex+meteors
Click to expand...
I work in a place that have a ton of landscapers. Despite having bought several brands of plugs, the ones I use are like the Howard Leight above that I found on the ground near where the guys take their breaks. I have Hear Os but they don't work as well despite the "roll up and expand bit." Those orange ones with the expanded bell shape just work better than anything I have yet tried. Mainly because they don't come loose. Even the HearOs seem to work loose after a while.
 
Yep went through this as well. I had both custom plugs as well as the foam ones. A new set of foams, worked pretty good.

But, not good enough. I stopped riding street and switched to dirt (loving it!!!). Don't need the full noise reduction at OHV parks (slow speeds - at my skill level anyway ;-)

I just bought a new dirt helmet (full price, no relation to company) and it has ear muffs inside that press against your ears. I will use this for adventure riding. They sell both dirt and street helmets.

It does really work. There isn't anything like it. They have speakers in them, but I use a new set of foam plugs and then pump it up for the noise reduction I want. I don't listen to music. Hi-speed riding, I pump it a lot, low speed, I release the air.

muffs.jpg


pump.jpg


They are at QuietRideHelmets

I am thinking about a used Ninja 300 to add to my dirt bike ;-)
 
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