ClearArmor Safety Ear Muffs Hearing Ear Protection - 31.5 dB SNR Noise Reduction - Comfortable Earmuffs that Work for Hunting, Gun Range, Mowing

[+] THE REVIEW:I could not decide between this product and another product on Amazon, so I purchased both and compared them. The other product (link provided below) is rated at 34dB (EN 352-1 rating). I cannot find a rating for this product (no where on the box), but I purchased them because of the great reviews. I compared them by putting my HEPA air cleaner to level 3 (of 4) and then wearing each one in turn comparing the noise levels that could be heard. I moved toward and away from the air cleaner to notice any change in the noise levels.THE COMPARISON RESULTS:This product (ClearArmor 141001 Shooters Hearing Protection) out performed the other product just by a little bit. They were very close. I think the difference came down to the ClearArmor's headband applying more equal pressure around the ear thereby making a more uniform seal, thus blocking out more noise. The other product's headband applied more pressure to the bottom of the earmuff thereby allowing noise leakage toward the top of the earmuff. I tried applying pressure with my hands to form a more equal seal, and that helped a little, but still did not equal the ClearArmor. I have not worn these for long periods of time, so cannot speak to that. When I have something to report on that I will update the post.COMPARISON SUMMARY [10/22/2017 update]I thought I would add a little comparison summary:- Comfort: Fnova is more comfortable.- Noise Reduction: ClearArmor is quieter just by a little bit.- Construction of Unit: Fnova is just a little bit better constructed.- Padding: Fnova's padding around the ear is just a little bit softerBasically, if you're looking for comfort if you need to wear them a long time, then I would recommend Fnova. If you're looking for the maximum noise reduction (e.g., use at a shooting range) for shorter period of time, then i would recommend ClearArmor.I compared this product too:Fnova 34dB Highest NRR Safety Ear Muffs - Professional Ear Defenders for Shooting, Adjustable Headband Ear Protection / Shooting Hearing Protector Earmuffs Fits Adults to Kids[+] COMFORT LEVEL AFTER WEARING A COUPLE OF HOURS [10/13/2017 update]I have now worn this product for about a couple of hours and did notice that it became slightly uncomfortable to wear. Surprisingly, the Fnova (product I compared these too) ended up being more comfortable to wear. Remember, the Fnova were just a little less effective in blocking noise, but it turns out they are more comfortable to wear. I did take the advice of others and stretch out the ClearArmor pair for 24 hours, but I have not yet had the chance to wear them to see if it makes them more comfortable to wear. Stretching them out, however, did lesson the pressure against the head, so it would make sense they would now be more comfortable to wear. I will update when I have had a chance to wear them again.[+] STRETCHED THEM OUT FOR MORE COMFORT [10/29/2017 update]I did try to stretch the ClearArmor out like some of the reviewers have suggested by putting a box between them for a day. It did stretch them out a little which made them a little more comfortable, but I still find them a little more uncomfortable than the Fnova to wear. This isn't necessarily a bad thing because the ClearArmor does do a better job at noise reduction, so if you're using them for a shooting range such that you are not going to wear them for hours on end like I do, then the ClearArmor is the better choice. In my experience, I could wear these for a hour with no problems of discomfort.[+] BLOCKS OUT NOISE OF VITA-MIX [3/15/18 update]I purchased a decibel meter (VLIKE LCD Digital Audio Decibel Meter Sound Level Meter Noise Level Meter Sound Monitor dB Meter Noise Measurement Measuring 30 dB to 130 dB Date Logger Tester) and measured how loud my Vita-mix is when it is on its highest setting; it is about 100 dB. I tried wearing these to block out the noise and do they work! Wow, is all I can say. Of course I can hear the Vita-mix, but the high pitched noise the Vita-mix makes on high is so muffled that it doesn't even bother me to have it running with these on. I was really surprised. These block out about 34 Db (based on the comparison to the other brand), but they must do an even better job at blocking out higher pitch noises at even higher decibels. Vita-mix should think about including this product inside their product's box. Their customers would be even more happy.[+] HUMOR HEALS THE HEART:Okay, you have read this review and found it helpful, but you're on the fence as to whether it was helpful enough to deserve a helpful vote. To click or not to click. Decisions, decisions. Well, I've come up with a little humorous spin about myself as it pertains to my devotion in creating helpful reviews. I've done this using the style of the comedic legend Rodney Dangerfield (1921-2004) and do this also in honor and memory of his great work. The plan is to get you chuckling as you click the helpful button. Let's see - here it goes:"I tell ya, I just don't get no respect -- I started writing reviews and getting helpful votes. Wow, this is cool, I said -- I checked my profile and saw that my reviewer ranking was around #8000, so I got excited and wrote more reviews -- I got even more excited when I checked my reviewer ranking to see it improve to around #7000, so I put even more time into writing reviews -- I must be getting helpful votes, I thought, because my reviewer ranking then shot up to #5028 -- Alright, I said, I rolled up my sleeves, dropped everything and put ALL my time into my reviews --- Then, I checked -- my reviewer ranking said -- #GETALIFE -- No respect I tell ya. No respect at all."GIVE Reviews. This is my standard for writing reviews.[G]enuine - This is a review that is honest, trustworthy with no reason other than to help people in the Amazon family.[I]nformational - This review needs to provide information related to this product in a concise matter.[V]aluable - This review needs to provide value to the reader such that it helps him or her determine if this product is for them.[E]nlightening - This review needs to go beyond product information such that the reader learns something they did not otherwise know.

I have been doing a lot of woodwork lately with a buddy, a couple of projects around the house. I had a couple of my fiance's earplugs she uses when her dad stays with us (he saws more logs in his sleep than I could do in a lifetime awake), but some of the tools were getting through the ear plugs so I decided to hunt for a solution.When I had shop classes we were always given earplugs in the shop so I sought the best noise-dampening earplugs I could find. I turned to Flents Quiet Time ear plugs (Amazon Item B07HHXGPW6). They were effective when inserted properly, but unfortunately they often worked their way out of proper insertion and were therefore far less effective. But they were $15 bucks for 70 pairs, so I figured I could keep them for my buddies when they work on stuff with me, but I knew these earplugs weren't the everyday option I was looking for. I had seen other options when searching, so I took to the web again.I pulled up other earplugs on Amazon, and the suggested links had earmuffs. I remember seeing them on children at concerts, so I clicked on a couple. (Good enough for developing ears, good enough for mine, right?) All the noise ratings were higher than industrial earplugs and the price was still in that $10-$20 range. I bought a couple of them to test by Pro For Sho (Amazon Item B017RZ45F6) and ClearArmor (Amazon Item B00NKSMPZW).The Pro For Sho is a good set. They're sleek-looking and they fold relatively compact when not in use. I think they muff noise better than the Flents earplugs even when the earplugs are properly inserted. However, I felt that they were tight. They aren't bad for a few minutes at a time, but I did feel the pressure with sustained use. My buddy tried them for a day and said he didn't have that problem, so maybe I just have sensitive temples? For the record, my cap size is S/M and his is M/L.The ClearArmor is a GREAT set. They aren't as low-profile as the Pro For Sho, but frankly no ear muff is going to be invisible; it's not about looking cool, it's about being safe, right? Plus they also fold on the same mechanism that the Pro For Sho does, so they also fit in storage easily. They muffed sound about the same as the Pro For Show, but I could almost forget they were on. The ear pad is soft and comfortable, the headband didn't feel too tight at all, and I could and did wear them all day in the shop.I was going to return the Pro For Sho in favor of the ClearArmor, but my buddy said he would take them. So in the end I guess they were both good buys, just not for me. The earplugs weren't a bad buy--they'll get used--but I won't buy them again.PS if you want all kinds of ear protection, pair the earplugs with the muffs. The internet says it adds something like +5 NRR to the one with the highest rating. I don't know numbers like that, but I did give it a try with the earplugs inserted poorly and the earmuffs on and it was super effective. If I had some comfortable earplugs that stayed in, it would be easy to see myself using both when working on the loudest-of-loud tools in the shop.Ultimately:Flents Quiet Time (Amazon Item B07HHXGPW6): 3 stars. Effective but iconsistent.Pro For Sho (Amazon Item B017RZ45F6): 4 stars. Effective but uncomfortable.ClearArmor (Amazon Item B00NKSMPZW): 5 stars. Effective and comfortable.