(Part 2) Best hunting & shooting earmuffs according to redditors

I know they cost almost as much as the headset, but adding these gel pads made mine way more comfortable and provides a better seal around safety glasses.
ZOHAN Gel Ear Pads for Howard Leight by Honeywell Impact Earmuff https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CXL534H/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_qZS9BbBKYN3YJ

<$40

Pink (OOS until 4/20) - $36.90

Light Teal - $37.31

Kryptek Camo - $39.75


<$50

FDE - $41.99

Teal - $41.97


Black - $44.88

<$60

FDE w/America Patch - $55.21

Kryptek Camo + Clear Shooting Glasses - $55.99


Black w/America Patch (OOS Until 4/20) - $55.09

Multicam - $59.99

Multicam Black - $55.99

OD Green w/America Patch - $49.07

• $33.62 - Black with flag.
  
• $31.93 - Olive drab.
  
• $27.96 - Light Teal
  
  https://www.amazon.com/Walkers-Razor-Slim-Electronic-Black/dp/B06ZY6GMYD
  
  Edit: light teal
  
  Edit 2: since this is the top comment in going to hijack it. See my other comment for what I think is a better deal, ie 20% off 3M Peltors.

+1 for this solution. They can be had for a decent price too.

It's tough at that age. I first flew with my daughter around 8 months. We bought a pair of children's peltor earmuffs. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015V1VX8/. She wouldn't keep them on so we bought silicone ear plugs the moldable stuff. We put the earplugs on and then the muffs over top. She would still get the muffs off, but the plugs stayed in. Around a year and a half the plugs no longer stayed in, but we managed to convince her to leave the muffs on around then.

This summer at 2.5 years we took some very long trips: Seattle to Los Angeles (KPAE to KVNY) and Seattle to Airventure (KPAE KOSH). So we upgraded her to a children's headset with an aux in port and a cheapy amazon tablet. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003M5O4IY/. By the time of Oshkosh she was handling the headset on her own. She puts it on when we tell her to and takes it off while we're taxiing in.

Grab [these] (http://www.amazon.com/Honeywell-R-01525-Leightning-Folding-Earmuff/dp/B001D8CRB8/), or the electronic version, and foam ear plugs. Wear them together and use the ear plugs properly (actually get them in your ear canal, they don't work like earbuds).

You can always stick whatever logo you want on it, since it's not hard to find opaque decals of the right size or to cut them to fit.

Also get her a pair of shooting glasses. Don't forget that eye protection.

Lots of questions here about headsets, etc. Dad here, have researched this, info incoming!

Age of children - if you can put them in a back seat and have another adult back there with them, it depends on how soon they can wear a headset. Every baby is different.

Headsets. For the little babies, this is the toughest. We couldn't find any true headset, and looked into simple sound-blocking earmuffs. We tried several brands before landing on small Peltor Sport Earmuffs from https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015V1VX8/ . For babies with larger heads, you can probably start them on short flights at 4 months. For smaller heads, they may need to be 6-12 months for their head to be big enough for a proper seal.

For the older kids, get one of the Sigtronics Youth headsets https://www.sportys.com/pilotshop/catalogsearch/result/?q=sigtronics+youth . Durable, and they're not $1000 if they misuse them. I have the S-58Y and they've worked fine. The headbands swap out for adult headbands too, so they can grow with them.

Ages - if you've got an adult to sit with them in back (especially if your audio panel has a pilot isolate button), you can take them at just about any age. My wife rides in back with my little one. I am much more selective about who can ride in front. My own older kids, whom I know real well, I let. EAA wants kids to be at least 8 for Young Eagles, and that's probably as good a guideline as any for other kids.

Get them excited about it before you take them up. My little one likes to watch 5-minute segments from One Six Right with me. We put on our headsets and watch them, and she jabbers about the airplanes. I started her out just letting her hold and feel the headset. I'd show her how I always wore one and waited for her to ask for one too. It only stayed on a few seconds at first, but she wanted to try it briefly every time. With the real little ones, your life will be easier if they are used to thinking about wearing headsets and thinking of planes as exciting things.

The older ones love to watch the GPS. They are interested in how fast we are going, how high up we are, etc.

Keep your climbs and descents shallow. Kids don't know how to clear their ears. I aim for 500FPM max. You don't want them screaming in agony. For the infant/toddler crowd, have them munching on or drinking something during the climbs and descents to help with the ear popping.

Don't be that person that insists "we've gotta make time." When the family wants to stop for a break, you stop for a break. Especially if someone needs to use the bathroom. I bring Travel Johns on longer flights for the males on board. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NV878S My wife has looked at everything on Sporty's and didn't want to try any of their products that claim to work for women, so I got nothin for you there.

Finally, the best compliment you can get as a pilot is when they stay asleep during the landing.

Currently the black Impact Sport model R-02524 is 22¢ more than its historic low on Amazon.

Impact Sport, Purple, $36 Historic low $32

The green Impact Sport (R-01526) model's historic low is $27, but is currently $40. Has been posted to this sub many times before.

Removed Impact Pro and Impact Sport Camo due to both not being good deals right now.

The new ones are worth the extra $ if you ever want to use them in applications where identifying where sound came from is important

Also, no longer feel need to double up on ears when running louder guns. Muff material is improved.

Howard Leight Impact Sport Bolt... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06VWM97KK?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

Hm. Maybe you could buy one of the pre-made ones like:

http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-RST-63005-Earmuff-AUX-Input/dp/B001ULCHD6/ref=pd_cp_hi_3

and take the parts out of it?

[Teal $34.99](http://www.Howard.com/ Leight by Honeywell Impact Sport Sound Amplification Electronic Shooting Earmuff, Teal (R-02521) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IB15S1Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_aaJfAb1RG7RRC)

[Purple $35.99](http://www.Howard.com/ Leight by Honeywell Impact Sport Sound Amplification Electronic Shooting Earmuff, Purple (R-02522) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZN51GIW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_f.IfAbMC36GDK)

I used hearing protectors, cost around $19. Once you get use to them you will get great sleep. Thinner is better. Also a pillow with lots of give and heft so the protector does not "bottom" out.

example

[This will help you] (http://www.amazon.in/3M-1110-Corded-Noise-Reduction/dp/B00VTNZAXO/ref=sr_1_1?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1503414798&sr=1-1&keywords=Noise+Reduction) or this [one] (http://www.amazon.in/3M-1426-Multi-Position-Earmuff/dp/B00KTD4HMU/ref=sr_1_4?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1503414798&sr=1-4&keywords=Noise+Reduction)

The ones I described don't cost much.
https://www.amazon.com/Caldwell-Electronic-Protection-Amplification-Adjustable/dp/B001ASWCP2/ref=sr_1_62?keywords=electronic+hearing+protectors&qid=1554190602&s=sporting-goods&sr=1-62
I guess you could just put ear buds in and put a manual set over. If the dog's barking was loud enough to trigger the sensor you could set these so you could hear what was going on but not hear the dogs. A hand clap is loud enough to do it.

I can't recommend noisefighers enough. My head is super sensitive to clamp force and it was a night and day difference for me.

Also.. just get these https://www.amazon.com/Walkers-Game-Ear-Electronic-Patriot/dp/B06ZY6GMYD/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=walkers&qid=1574653515&s=sporting-goods&sr=1-4


...and make sure you double up on ear pro.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003DWPAQ6?pc_redir=1404192878&robot_redir=1

Something like that. I keep a pair by my bed. Can hear footsteps across the house and it protects your hearing, and great for the range too. For an indoor range you probably want ear plugs too, -24db is pushing it for sustained fire, but a couple shotgun blasts is no problem.

Use this kind of passive noise reduction ear muffs https://www.amazon.in/3M-1426-Position-Earmuff-Reduction/dp/B00KTD4HMU/. I use one like that. Or if you're willing to spend more, look for active noise cancellation muffs. Also, heavy blankets on windows or heavy curtains can reduce noise.

ZOHAN Gel Ear Pads for Howard... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CXL534H?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

Its no problem

What about using a combination?

When doing extended work in my very noisy server room with a 10Ton AC Air handler, heres what i use.

I plug in my preferred in ear headphones, and over those I put on industrial noise blockers ($13)
http://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight-Leightning-Muff-NRR25/dp/B001DRGL3O


The regular in ear headphones will give you a decent reduction in outside DB, and the industrial protection gives you another 25db reduction, and from what i recall, its exponential not a simple addition of the two db reductions.

Itll probably beat any all-in-one combination you can find in performance, sound quality and price.

For indoor shooting, double up with foam and muffs. I go these for my son, who is 10, and they work really well and are rated at 34db. I have seen muffs that are rated 26db and similar. Why use those? Seems to me that anything under 30 db is not worth it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071VRGNQS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks for the help.

Went with the following.

BLACKHAWK! Sportster Range Bag, Black

3 Trigger Locks

Chamber Flags

Targets

Stapler Staples

Cheap Earplugs

Cleaning Kit Should I also get a collapsible one? Was unable to find one on Amazon.

Eye Protection

Primary Ear Protection


Anything I missed?
[Secondary Ear Protection] (https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B001D8CRB8/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) Incase my main ones fail, or I have a guest.

Walkers makes great ones.
You can still hear people talk.
They cut out the gunshot noise.


I use these:
They aren’t bulky. I hardly notice them when I wear them. Just like headphones.
Worth the $70

https://www.amazon.com/Walker-Electronic-Behind-Retractable-Plugs/dp/B01GUB2T1K/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=walkers+razor+x&qid=1573422823&sr=8-3




My uncle uses these
https://www.amazon.com/Walkers-Razor-Electronic-Earmuff-Realtree/dp/B01N39QLRQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_14?dchild=1&keywords=Walker%27s+Game+Ear&qid=1573422622&sr=8-14

> I don't want to be breathing in my coworkers' shit molecules, and there are sounds that you can't un-hear.


Not a problem. Just go in wearing this and this.

No, they arent the M32s actually. I found a decent set of rep peltors off of Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B072ZXH1KT?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Peltor Comtacs

Here's a link:
http://www.amazon.com/3M-Peltor-MT15H69FB-09-Com-Tac-Headset/dp/B0014ZYYKW

They're a bit pricey, but there's definitely a noticeable difference between them and the lower end Peltors, for me at least.

Teal is the cheapest (Amazon, free shipping). Gun.deals will find you some around $35 but I'm not sure of the shipping charges.

I've got two pairs and love them. Very comfortable and compact. I use this hard case for them with sets of eye protection, and keep those in my range bag.

These two used together should do a pretty good job.

​

https://www.decibullz.com/custom-molded-earplugs/?gclid=CjwKCAiAws7uBRAkEiwAMlbZjpdsmBYHsW1uQPI4hTL81xsClP5ylt9nhKrzgZYuJf3UTsOoII6gpBoCRC4QAvD_BwE

​

https://www.amazon.com/Pro-Sho-34dB-Shooting-Protection/dp/B071VRGNQS/ref=zg_bs_3304074011_43?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=05F6M9VVSSPEQBJPW5M1

Not headphones, but much cheaper:

I have these guys

Here
or Here
Comtac is the milspec ones there are also sportac(sp?) and protac for sports and industry.

Something like this might help :)

This (33 NRR) over top of these (19 NRR) is some of the best hearing protection you can buy. When you double up, take the highest NRR and add about 5, and that's your total NRR. As an extreme example, a 308 with a muzzle brake will be about 160 dB, and you want to get it down as close to 120 as possible.

Passive hearing protection is substantially cheaper. But electronic protection will amplify "safe" sounds. Here is the passive version of those Pro Ears.

You talking about these?
http://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight-R-01526-Electronic-Earmuff/dp/B001T7QJ9O/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1309958228&sr=1-1

Do you think about these? They have a little bit higher NRR rating.
http://www.amazon.com/Champion-40974-Electronic-Ear-Muffs/dp/B001E8PPM0/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1309958307&sr=1-1

I hate sounds so here’s what I devised:

Musicians Ear plugs:

Pros: easy to hide, cut sounds well
Cons: uncomfortable for long periods of time, easy to lose.

Low profile ear muffs:

Pros: best thing for cutting all sounds, impossible to loose or break
Cons: not super comfortable with glasses, very obvious.

Sound cancelling headphones;

Pros; you can hear conversations super well but it blocks out the back ground sound, you can also play music to cut out all sound, socially acceptable, the most comfortable solution.
Cons: very expensive for good ones, they use batteries, they are fragile, they don’t cut out as much sound as ear muffs

I own all three of these. I wear sound cancelling her phones all day and at social events such as a diner or party since I can easily have conversations with them, I used ear plugs at fancy events or places that I don’t want people to look at me or ask me why I’m wearing ear protections (ear plugs are also tiny and great to bring as an emergency back up) and I wear ear muffs in class. I will link the best of all of these:

Sound cancelling I used, they are good but use aaa batteries instead of recharging them with USB: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M1NEUKK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_IbIHDb74TF6XZ

Sound cancelling of the latest and best technology (almost double the price but they are worth it if you have the cash): Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0756CYWWD/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_7cIHDbGR2SXTV

Low profile ear muffs of high quality (they are on sale
Right now too!): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06VWJL9LG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_xeIHDb94GJN4V

Any “musicians ear plugs” will work but apparently these are the best ones: www.amazon.com/dp/B018WPOQSG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_YfIHDbZ20X0Q4

https://www.amazon.com/Walkers-Razor-Slim-Passive-Earmuff/dp/B06VWJL9LG/r but wearing those to the office, no matter how effective, could be considered passive/agressive by your co-workers. Something like https://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-Earplugs-High-Definition-Protection-Packaging/dp/B00R1WKRC6 would also be good and much mroe discrete.

"PASGT headset" on Google yields some consistent results! Amazon offers good refund services if you're nervous about trying something out. Check it out!

Walker's Razor Slim Electronic Quad Earmuff 23Db/Realtree Xtra Camo https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N39QLRQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_4xL2DbCEX6XJG

I'm a first-time gun owner as of Christmas (Sig P320C!), so I ordered the following today:

• Blackhawk Sportster Deluxe Range Bag
  
• Maglula UpLULA speedloader
  
• Champion Electronic Earmuffs
  
  I'm super excited!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001RMWO9A/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Pro Ears Gold. They're a bit bulky, but very effective.

Now for the advice part I picked up a pair of these https://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight-Digital-Electronic-Shooting/dp/B06VWM97KK/ref=mp_s_a_1_12?adgrpid=65003691780&gclid=CjwKCAjwzJjrBRBvEiwA867bysjXDol_OoF_eiSYbAXp30RjYF41LeXSkHy-YBdIrEAUNYg6rcY-JhoCtPQQAvD_BwE&hvadid=321403007929&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9033316&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=3410311533151823547&hvtargid=aud-649564993678%3Akwd-296143273602&hydadcr=12192_9567911&keywords=howard+leight&qid=1567008436&s=hi&sr=1-12 and I love them! I use them in conjunction with ear plugs because the noise reduction rating is slightly lower than what you really want for shooting a rifle indoors. I bring this up because they have cutouts for the stock so it doesn't get in the way like conventional ear muffs do. Also take as many classes as you can afford. I have taken 3 and it is amazing what you can learn from them. I have the exact same rifle and I'm taking a class on Sunday as a matter of fact. Electronic ear protection like this allows you to hear your instructor well.

Maybe these could help, while sending a passive, nonoffensive message

http://www.amazon.com/Pro-Ears-Passive-Hearing-Protection/dp/B00117XML0/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1363267395&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=pro+ears+ultra+33

Not really.

For my needs hard to justify $35 on these when I can get these for $21. Now if you're wearing them day in day out, or for different tasks where you're not talking to others you may have different needs. I use mine at the range.