These surfing ear plugs may not have all the premium features of the SurfEars 3.0 mentioned above, but still help prevent exostosis / surfers ear. They’re made from soft silicone and the ergonomic design helps them fit comfortably inside the ear. SurfEars have close to zero acoustic loss in the frequency range of human speech while the best competitor cuts away about 20-30dB. To give you a reference, 30dB is roughly the difference between the loudest and lowest volume setting on your smartphone. That’s pretty big difference! SurfEars are pretty comfortable, with the wing sitting in your outer ear according to your preferred size as well as the best fitting seal. They also have minimal hearing interference, however I did find myself taking a plug out if trying to have a conversation in the line-up sometimes – a luxury not afforded with other plugs without a leash.

The cheapest alternative pair of ear plugs on this list are from HearProtek. Offering an extremely well reviewed solution at a much more affordable price. I considered what are the most important aspects for my earplugs. Style is not really an important issue here – earplugs do not need to look cool, but they need to be comfortable and they need to work for you. I, therefore, have judged a number of earplugs primarily on the following elements.For our select range of products which will be sent with via courier, delivery typically takes between 2-4 working days. Sometimes, deciding on the best earplugs for surfing is more about deciding on the shape of a plug than going for nifty tech. We know loads of guys who’ve struggled through in-ear plugs and modulable plugs, only to find that the only thing that really works is something heftier. Cue the Hearprotek. These have big arms that extend more than an inch, all the way to the roof of the ear for added support. The SurfEars allow you to still be able to hear clearly, as they allow air and sound to travel through, and just prevent water ingress, so safety in hearing instructions from the boat or your buddy is not compromised.

The sealing gels have been redesigned to achieve a better seal while also increasing wearing comfort. They are thinner, softer and conforms to the shape of the ear more easily. Earplugs need to be comfortable. The last thing you want is for the product to be causing you pain. This is likely to mean they’re not fitting properly, or could even be causing you further damage to your ears. You’re also unlikely to wear them if they hurt! Those steps involve finding an audiologist to get a mould impression, then sending it to SurfPlugs to get it created. However, the end product will result in the most comfortable custom fit ear plugs you can find on the market.Some of the features that have been added to the new model include the color-coded plugs—making it easier to know which earpiece goes where—and the fact that you can detach the plugs from the leash. They clean very easily. Just rinse them after a surf, dry them, keep them away from the sun and store them in a dry place. Problems with SurfEars 3.0 These plugs fall out easily in any surf conditions, meaning not only will you spend the majority of your session with your ears exposed to the elements, but you are introducing waste to the oceans. In terms of effectiveness, I didn’t notice any water getting in at all, but I did notice a constant hum in my ear when it was windy. Overall I was satisfied with these plugs for their price. BioEars

You could argue that you’re getting what you pay for as these plugs are high quality and they will also keep your ears protected and reduce the risk of surfer’s ear and other ear problems. The price is the main issue that we have with SurfEars. They are expensive little buggers compared to other ear plugs on the market. It would be great to hear your thoughts in the comments below. As always, be sure to follow on the usual socials below to keep up to date with the latest surfing content! The new wing is pre-shaped and curved both forward and inwards to reduce point load, ensuring a more comfortable and secure fit. We've made the wing softer which improves comfort further and allows you to wear your plugs for longer. In addition to this, we've redesigned the tube of the core to point both forward and slightly upwards, creating a more natural fit in your ear. The result - an earplug which is so comfortable you can wear it for hours and completely forget you're even wearing one.It is vital that your earplugs actually keep water out. If there isn’t a proper seal, water is likely to get in behind the plug and sit in your ear canal, which could cause the infections you’re trying to avoid in the first place. Wind is also a factor here to an extent.

If you want to wear earplugs and have the money to invest in the very best plugs on the market, then the SurfEars 3.0 are definitely the way to go. They are multiple award-winning photographers and along with 4 published books, feature regularly in the diving, wildlife and international press They are the Underwater Photography and Deputy Editors at Scubaverse and Dive Travel Adventures. Winners of the Caribbean Tourism Organization Photo-journalist of the Year for a feature on Shark Diving in The Bahamas, and they have been placed in every year they have entered. The silicone tips have been redesigned to achieve a better seal while also increasing wearing comfort. They are thinner, softer and conforms to the shape of the ear more easily Of course, the “must not have been worn” clause is likely what’s angering a few customers, but it’s standard and it’s something you will find with all but the biggest of retailers. These plugs generally served me well in calmer conditions, but over time I found water was getting in or they’d fall out when I was doing wind sports, or surfing in rough or bigger conditions. I played around with the seal and wing size options but I couldn’t seem to find a combination that worked really well for me in all conditions.After experiencing painful ears after surfing and other watersports over the last few years, especially in the winter, and having struggled with painful ears and infections, I decided to start using ear plugs as a preventative measure. Sure, they could offer some kind of satisfaction guarantee policy, but such policies are not that common with earplugs. Summary: SurfEars 3.0 Review They’re made out of some very high quality materials that make the product feel like a premium product However, I am not sure that I stressed enough at the time that these earplugs saved me. They allowed me to dive, swim and snorkel in the ocean, and I have not had an ear infection since. They could end up lost on the ocean floor after a big wipeout, but again they have never even come out of our ears after a wipe out. Not once.