Hearing Protection Howard Leight, Walker Razor, other?

[Sequoiasoon]

So Black Friday sales on the Howard Leight for $41. I might grab a couple more for family/friend range days and for my daughter as she goes more (need to ask color)

My son wants some new hearing pro for Christmas (maybe before). He's trying to research on better for some directional sounds in the woods according to my wife.

We currently have 1 set of the HL slim impact sport, 1 set of the Walker Razor slim, 1 older I think Walker electronic but full size cup (gets in the way with rifles). Variety of passive versions and foam plugs as spares.

We have never tried any of the earbud types but I like the idea. Something he will keep in/on comfortably all day in the woods and duck hunting with his friends.

Both my son and I wear regular glasses. Range others wear safety glasses. Doing some reading the Howard Leight still rate highly. Walker Razor slim have 10x the reviews/ratings on Amazon. Some reviews on web say upgrade to the gel cups which is option for both.

Ear bud type- or other recommended?
Walker Hunting Razor XV 3.0
AXIL GS Extreme 2.0

The Howard Leight has foam covered microphones which I think blocks some wind noise better. The Walker slims are a perforated metal over the microphone. Some reviews on the AXIL say constant "brushing" noise from the wired connection. Haven't seen much on the Razor XV.

 

[Pablo]

I have all three of the top real muffs, and I still wear ear plugs inside. (yes because glasses!) The combo seems to limit further hearing damage.......I don't like just those types in the links.

I will say the foam on the outside only lasts a few seasons outdoors.

 

[Rand]

I have a set of the axil electronic muffs.
They are good but maybe not best.
ok for upto .308 outdoors. Inside I would definitely wear plugs under them although I am rarely at a range.

 

[dubber09]

I had Howard and Walker and used them only a few times, they are not great even with gel pads.
What I do use is 3M/Peltor TacticalSport with gel pads. On my second set that I bought last year to replace beat up 16 year old set. Only down side is it shuts off after 2 hrs of use and I need to turn it back on, it's a feature. Set is good indoor for pistol and outdoor for rifle shooting, I got 30-06, not doubling up with plugs. Set is slim so no issues with rifle stock cheek rests.

 

[spasm3]

Razor works well for me. I double up with foam earplugs since my eyeglasses frame, lifts the edges of the ear muffs.

 

[gman2304]

My old Caldwell Emax muffs have worked well for me. $30 on Amazon.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

I had Howard and Walker and used them only a few times, they are not great even with gel pads.
What I do use is 3M/Peltor TacticalSport with gel pads. On my second set that I bought last year to replace beat up 16 year old set. Only down side is it shuts off after 2 hrs of use and I need to turn it back on, it's a feature. Set is good indoor for pistol and outdoor for rifle shooting, I got 30-06, not doubling up with plugs. Set is slim so no issues with rifle stock cheek rests.

Which version on the Tactical Sport? I see a couple of them 100, 300, 500.

Not inexpensive but if it works better for him, it's an investment.

 

[AZjeff]

NRR 22 isn't very good. Would be okay if you use foam ear plugs too.

Hearing protection is all about the Noise Reduction Rating. For shooting you really want to be at 29-30 NRR.

Mack's ear plugs are exceptional and have NRR 33 rating. Worth having some around.

 

[dubber09]

Which version on the Tactical Sport? I see a couple of them 100, 300, 500.

Not inexpensive but if it works better for him, it's an investment.

No, they are not cheap:

but imho it's second best to MSA headset which is twice as expensive.
I never had issues with not enough NRR with this set, gel pads seal very well when wearing glasses (which I do), and also can be worn all day without discomfort as there are no pressure points on ears, at least with gel pads. My original set lasted 16 years so I think the price is very reasonable for the very good set.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

NRR 22 isn't very good. Would be okay if you use foam ear plugs too.

Hearing protection is all about the Noise Reduction Rating. For shooting you really want to be at 29-30 NRR.

Mack's ear plugs are exceptional and have NRR 33 rating. Worth having some around.

We do have other foam for range and other things. These are for when he is hunting so can be used for added awareness and be on for when he shoots. The foam work well but in the woods you lose the awareness form our experience.

I also went and looked in bag since my son got up finally. The larger cup ones are not Walker they are the Howard Leight Impact Pro which has NRR 30. Great for the range and pistols but not so much on a general comfort for me and not good with the rifles.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

No, they are not cheap:

View attachment 252136

but imho it's second best to MSA headset which is twice as expensive.
I never had issues with not enough NRR with this set, gel pads seal very well when wearing glasses (which I do), and also can be worn all day without discomfort as there are no pressure points on ears, at least with gel pads. My original set lasted 16 years so I think the price is very reasonable for the very good set.

He sent my wife the ones he want's to try in a budget from my FIL, Peltor Sport Tactical 300.

Watching some other reviews I picked up a set of Walker Xcel 100 with a 26 NRR. We will try them out.

I also picked up the gel ear pads for the Howard Leights and the Walkers we have already.

The Tactical Sport shown only has a 20dB NRR according to 3M website.

 

[dubber09]

Not trying to sell you anything but thought I'd share my experiences with wasting my own money and time on mediocre products I ended up replacing with a set I used for 16 years and ended up replacing it with exactly same thing.