Cords: though helpful in keeping you from dropping an ear plug on the ground when taking out or putting in your earplugs, the cord can be a nuisance while wearing them with riding gear. If you want cords, you might want to consider removable pop cords. These let you have your cords...or not, any time you wish.

Acoustic filters: Non-linear filters such as the Hock's Noise Braker (which we can install in most any custom ear plug,) can improve your ability to hear traffic noises, while still protecting you from the worst of the wind noise, but customers tell us the Hock's filters can let in too much wind noise when riding at highway speeds. In our opinion, you will be best served if you get either a convertible model, such as the Westone Style 47 (with the convertible option) that lets you plug the vent to make the ear plugs solid when you want more noise reduction, or get a model with interchangeable filters, such as the Westone Tru, so you can change the filters when you need more or less attenuation. Tru comes with just one set of filters, so you will have to buy extras if you go this route.

Isolation earphones: As an alternative to custom ear plugs that do nothing but block the noise, you might want to consider getting a set of custom isolation earphones. These are a combination of custom ear plugs, and earphones built right into the earpieces. These let you plug into your bike comm system, smart phone, ipod, or other device...or not. The earpieces give you excellent noise blocking performance and when you want to hear something through them, you simply plug them in, just as you would with ordinary earphones. Most custom isolation earphones and custom musician monitors (another name for the same thing) can be made in a low-profile form to minimize interference when donning or doffing your helmet. Because they are custom made, you can get some rather fabulous sounding earphones that double as protectors from the evils of wind noise, while providing amazing sound while you ride. Just make sure to tell us when you are ordering that you need them for wear under a motorcycle helmet. We will let you know if the model you want can be made to work for that purpose.

Our most popular custom isolation earphones, by a huge margin are the Challengers...probably because they cost only a little more than do custom ear plugs.

There are a few universal fit isolation earphones you can try, but most will be a pain because they usually get dislodged when putting on your helmet, and you cannot easily straighten them once you have your helmet on. Better to cough up the bucks to get a custom set made specifically for riding. Once you get them, you will never look back with regret.

Just ask: We offer specific custom ear plugs for motorcyclists, like the Perfect-Fit CMP, but keep in mind that custom means custom, and we can make most any model just about any way you want, so if you want custom musician ear plugs, which give you better sound fidelity, but in a low profile form so they will fit under your helmet, just ask. If we can accommodate your preferences, we will. The primary limitation is set by the size and shape of your ears. We cannot put a big thing inside a little ear, but other than that kind of limitation, we are here to serve and our lab techs are pretty awesome at making just what you want in a custom ear plug.

Oh, and one more idea for you: if you go to motorcycle rallys and want to engage in a little entrepreneurial venture, check out our OCEPS system that lets you make custom ear plugs right on site, for other bikers who need them. Using OCEPS, the materials cost you well under $10 a set and these generally sell for around $50 at motorcycle rallys and gun shows.