Ear Plugs

About Ear Plugs

Wind noise at highway speed is loud enough to damage hearing over many hours of riding, even inside a good helmet, and it leaves riders tired by the end of the day. Ear plugs lower the sound reaching your ears.

Plugs for riding fall into two broad types. Foam plugs usually block the most sound and are disposable. Reusable plugs with an acoustic filter lower the volume evenly, so you can still hear traffic and speech. The products here are Alpine MotoSafe earplugs, listed as Tour, Sport and Duo pack versions along with a MotoGP edition, so read each listing for what that version is designed for. Fit decides whether any plug works: it should seal comfortably in the ear canal and not be pushed out by the helmet.

The brand in this category is Alpine Hearing Protection. Other head gear sits nearby, with Eyewear and Balaclavas, Masks & Tubes in the same Protective Gear group.

FAQs on motorcycle ear plugs

Do I need ear plugs if I wear a full face helmet?

A helmet reduces wind noise only a little, and highway speeds are still loud enough to harm hearing over time. Many riders use plugs on any long ride, with any helmet style, and especially in an open-face helmet.

Can I still hear traffic with ear plugs in?

Usually, yes. Plugs that lower sound evenly make everything quieter without hiding it, so you can still hear horns and voices. Foam plugs mute more. Try them on a quiet road first and check your local rules on riding with ear protection.

How do I insert motorcycle ear plugs correctly?

Prepare the plug as its instructions say, pull the top of your ear up and back to straighten the ear canal, and insert the plug gently until it seals. Do this before putting the helmet on.

How do I clean reusable ear plugs?

Wash them with mild soap and water, rinse, dry them fully and store them in their case. Replace reusable plugs that are cracked, hardened or no longer seal against the ear canal, since a plug that does not seal does little.