Commuting - Something to block wind noise with earbuds in?

Yeah, no argument, all I'm asking is, is there anything that I can put on over my ears and earbuds so that I can hear the music and block out wind noise? Something soft, as when I put my helmet straps on it'll hold everything snugly in. I have a beanie, but it doesn't work well for closing the straps up.

http://www.macfriends.com/theslip.aspx

or

http://www.slipstreamz.com/

They're made by the same company

First of all, I'd recommend in ear phones (http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Labs-51MZ0085AA007-EP-630-Headphones/dp/B000LVIC58/ref=dp_cp_ob_e_title_0) instead of earbuds. Second, a hat that covers your ears (and the phones beneath them) will work wonders.

http://www.macfriends.com/theslip.aspx

or

http://www.slipstreamz.com/

They're made by the same company

Have you tried the spoiler? I wonder how well it works.

Yeah I have IEPs and the wind still kills I hate that! I need something to cover the IEPs you know?

If you live in a cooler climate skull caps do wonders for ear buds. Other than that I have no suggestion.

I gotta say that a thin beanie that covers the ears like the Descente one I've got actually makes the wind noise louder. With the wind we've had lately, it's sucked.

I met a rider with a pair of The Slip as linked above, and he said they worked really well. I'd vote for those or anything similar.

I've used the slipstreamz for over a year now and they're great. Not only is the wind noise lessened, but the sound from the phones is more ambient than direct (think of the speakers in a car vs having dedicated headphones on). This means that you can still hear cars, have conversations with other riders, etc with the music on.

Highly recommended.

I wear these http://tinyurl.com/5gp9ee. They help block the wind and keep my ears nice & warm.

I'd try some 180s ear warmers.
I am prone to ear-aches and need something to block the wind. They stay in place pretty well for me, the helmet straps help. I have no problem with them interfering with my helmet although I know some people who find they do.

http://www.180s.com/

Are you doing this while riding? I'm not a nazi who thinks you can never wear headphones, but I would be careful completely shutting out any ambient noise. You want to hear when you're in danger.

/begin tangent


Are you doing this while riding? I'm not a nazi who thinks you can never wear headphones, but I would be careful completely shutting out any ambient noise. You want to hear when you're in danger.

I can't rely on my hearing anyway. Either there is enough traffic noise overall ahead of me that it masks the sounds behind me, or the traffic that I need to hear is too far away for me to hear at all. Shoulder checks, a mirror, and not riding like an idiot helps me more than hearing ever will. Besides, how do you think deaf cyclists don't get killed?

/end tangent

you can hear plenty with in canal ear pieces.
they only block around 25~28dB of outside noise

actual ear plugs block around 30dB or more

I'd try some 180s ear warmers.
I am prone to ear-aches and need something to block the wind. They stay in place pretty well for me, the helmet straps help. I have no problem with them interfering with my helmet although I know some people who find they do.

http://www.180s.com/

They have ear warmers with LEDs in the rear, too:
http://www.180s.com/pages/catalog_view.aspx?g=1,2&y=7&i=76

Neat. Not that bright, but it probably helps anyway.

I have some 180s gloves with their "Exhale Heating System", basically a hole in the outer shell that you breathe into to keep your hands warm. They work really well, too. I can't find them on their site, though -- they're a cycling-specific model.

Now I see their high-vis gloves and ear warmers:
http://www.180s.com/pages/catalog_view.aspx?g=5&y=2&i=35&c=6
http://www.180s.com/pages/catalog_view.aspx?g=5&y=7&i=71&c=27

Yes I do. I feel really uncomfortable being around so many cars without some music to keep me going. I'm more aware with music and a helmet on; the only times I've ever almost been in an accident, or almost in one, was without either.

I have the Sleek Audio SA6 with foamies that shield out loads of ambient noise. They work fine, just not for the fast wind.

Yeah, no argument, all I'm asking is, is there anything that I can put on over my ears and earbuds so that I can hear the music and block out wind noise? Something soft, as when I put my helmet straps on it'll hold everything snugly in. I have a beanie, but it doesn't work well for closing the straps up.


I use Skullcandy buds. They go in your ear so they're not so suceptible to noise.

http://www.backcountry.com/store/SKC0017/Skullcandy-Full-Metal-Jacket-Bud-Headphones.html

Duct tape.

/begin tangent



I can't rely on my hearing anyway. Either there is enough traffic noise overall ahead of me that it masks the sounds behind me, or the traffic that I need to hear is too far away for me to hear at all. Shoulder checks, a mirror, and not riding like an idiot helps me more than hearing ever will. Besides, how do you think deaf cyclists don't get killed?

/end tangent

This is like saying, "why bother to smell food, people without a sense of smell eat just fine without it".

Like I said, I'm not a nazi who thinks there is no place for music on a bike, but I would not purposely block out total hearing. I ride on MUPs on my commute and there is nothing worse than the headphones wearing, back-and-forth weaving walker/jogger/rider who almost hits you as you pass no matter how many times you scream "PASSING ON YOUR LEFT!!!!" I don't want to try to become that guy.

I was not born deaf and while I am happy that those who were can overcome this obstacle, I would not choose to be deaf. I like having all my senses.

Yes I do. I feel really uncomfortable being around so many cars without some music to keep me going. I'm more aware with music and a helmet on; the only times I've ever almost been in an accident, or almost in one, was without either.

The only time I ever got in a car wreck I had a seatbelt on, should I stop wearing it? :rolleyes:

I wear these http://tinyurl.com/5gp9ee. They help block the wind and keep my ears nice & warm.

+1

I have a brand called gorgonz I got on woot.com. They work great.

I ride on MUPs on my commute and there is nothing worse than the headphones wearing, back-and-forth weaving walker/jogger/rider who almost hits you as you pass no matter how many times you scream "PASSING ON YOUR LEFT!!!!" I don't want to try to become that guy.

See the thread titled "How do you handle moron-cyclists?"
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=485266

The girls that he hit didn't have headphones or anything, they were just dumb riders.

Like I said already, not riding like an idiot -- not swerving around unpredictably -- is one of the best ways to keep safe.

Ditto in-ear phones. However, I only use one, in my right ear (away from traffic). I find that I can hear better with in-ear phones since I don't have nearly the wind noise, so I can turn the volume way down and still understand what's being said (I mainly listen to audiobooks).

I use Koss Plugs.

I wear one ear bud, and in the winter time, wear a ski helmet which has covers over the ears to keep them warm, also cuts the wind noise.

I've not used the spoiler, but the slip does work. I could hear my cell phone ringing in my pannier while listening to music. They are kind of a pain to put on and take off though. The ideal would be a second helmet with them attached that you used when you wanted music.

This is like saying, "why bother to smell food, people without a sense of smell eat just fine without it".


This is not a thread to argue about the merits of wearing phones or not; please respect the OP's wishes. If you'd like to talk about why you think wearing phones is a bad idea, there are plenty of old threads to resurrect, or new ones to make. This thread is about ways to block out the wind while already wearing phones.

I'm not a purist or anything, so I'm not gonna argue that, but all I can say is, I live in a very suburban city with plenty of right of ways to ride on. Traffic moves quickly, but not constantly. Hearing all that traffic stresses me out. With music I can focus on seeing the cars instead of hearing their threatening roars constantly. And if a driver and drive perfectly with their windows up and the music blaring, I'm pretty sure I can ride safely with my IEMs only at half volume.

I really think hats are the best option. You just need to make sure A.) they fully cover your ears and B.) they're thick enough. I used the method while walking in a windy city for four years in undergrad, and I'm using it now (with equal success) while riding on the bike. The downside is that regular helmets don't fit well over thick hats. You could invest in a ski helmet (I almost did) if you want the ear padding built in.

This is great timing -- I went on a long ride yesterday for the first time with headphones, and couldn't figure out how to keep the wind noise down, even with a balaclava on. I think I'm going to try those slipstreamz -- I especially like the idea that they keep the earbuds out of your ear so you can hear around you. I was thinking of trying the bone conduction headphones that rest outside your ears, but they are expensive and I've heard the sound is not great. These look like they might work better.

i have some skullcandy earbuds (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41X4Jt0s07L._SS260_.jpg) that block out noise very well, i used to ride with them but i seriously don't hear anything while riding except the music, and that made me a little nervous so i went back to the standard issue Apple earbuds. i can hear the music and my surroundings just as good. but those skullcandys are awesome and cheap (usually around $15)

I like my earbuds quite a bit, but I find myself constantly adjusting the fit. I'm sure the buds are standard size and also fear that my ears are not. It's probalbly similar to the OP'ers circumstances. Wearing a stocking cap only makes it a little more difficult to adjust the buds.

I was thinking of inventing little wind deflectors that I could velcro to my sideburns. That might work. :innocent:

May I suggest these, instead of earbuds? Two birds, one stone. Three, actually, since they allow you to hear your surroundings better than in-ear buds.

http://helmetaudio.com/images/bicyclepic.jpg

http://helmetaudio.com/khxc/index.php?app=ccp0&ns=prodshow&ref=HS92&sid=54m060183mq138y4558dq88647t82f17

http://helmetaudio.com/khxc/media/ccp0/prodlg/hs92-200x200.jpg

This, of course, presumes a helmet.

Otherwise, go to a sport shop and buy a headband. This one has a buttonhole for ponytails, good for your cord if you want to run it down your back. This is how I ski w/an iPod.

http://www.teamestrogen.com/renderImage.image?imageName=2008_Fall/PI-9063-BK.jpg&width=300&height=300&padding=0