List of cycling wind noise blockers

Cycling ear protectors (from wind noise etc)

I am compiling a list of 'ear protectors' that are designed to protect the ears from wind noise when cycling. This is an ongoing project

List of wind blockers tried : my opinion

Airstreamz (formerly Cat Ears) Tried. Didn't notice any difference. Fit to your helmet so can't be worn without. Too expensive

Windfree : Tried. Felt these worked at low speeds but not above that. Say under 15km (speed + windspeed) Once you get to around 15km speed (or wind is that high) the protection dips, though I guess it still helps a bit. You wear on ears so no helmet needed. Can be sweaty when hot, or wet when raining. Doesnt't block non-wind noise. I would design it to dampen all noise a bit (say at the front). Very awkward to buy (2014 ... from Swedish website. Amazon would be nice). Too expensive.

Finger test : if you put a finger in front of your ear when air is passing you at speed you can see how good ear protection could be. The 2 I have tried came nowhere near this.

Verdict : Still would choose to design my own but for now I use windfree

List of known wind-blockers (2015)

AirStreamz 

cat-ears pro 2014

Former name : Cat ears

Price : around $12 - $22
Buy at : Their website. Based in Denver Colorado
http://www.cat-ears.com/

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Slipstreamz

Price : Around $22 ?
Buy at : their website. South African company ?
http://www.slipstreamz.com/

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Wind-blox

Price : £15/$15 ? 
http://wind-blox.com/

Blog Discounts (courtesy of Windblox) :
10% discount on Wind-blox website : use code gocommuterbike (see this comment)
15% off Wind-blox pro on their site : use code gocommuterbikePRO (see this comment)

Available on Amazon

Amazon USA : Wind-blox 

Amazon UK : Wind-blox

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Windfree

Price : 31 Euros ?
Based : Sweden
http://www.windfree.se/en/home

update jul21 :

Been using this for years. Works like a mic muff. Diffuses low wind noise.

It works for me, until around 14kph  (then I guess still dampens real noise).

A bit warm in hot weather but def worthwhile for me <14kph (maybe <15mph. I can't recall). 

 

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Windrush headband

A thick headband with ear protection
price : £25 plus shipping ?
Windrush website (Sweden) : link

Using a KMC 'missing link' removeable chain connector on my chain

Recommend : A removeable chain connector on your chain
Why ? : It makes changing chains or shortening them much easier

Here I am using the KMC 'missing link' bicylcle chain connector. This is by far the easiest removeable chain link I have used, though I have heard they have altered the design of the new one slightly, possibly due to it potentially falling off too easily (not happened to me).

When buying a removeable link, make sure it is not one that can only be put on once.

I recommend this KMC 'missing link' and presume the newer one is just as good.

Long John's for commuter cycling : Aldi v Lidl

Long johns : Aldi good, Lidl bad

About : Men's base layer trousers for commuter cycling
Comparing : Aldi brand versus Lidl brand (both around £15)
Verdict : Aldi pair is great whilst Lidl pair is itchy and uncomfy

Note : I have only worn the Lidl pair twice and the Aldi pair about 5 times. But I will be using the Aldi merino long johns as my 'base layer trousers' on cold days.

The base layer trousers on review :

Aldi merino long johns

Aldi merino long johns

Aldi Crane Merino base layer long johns
Price around £15
100% merino wool
Weight (size x large) : 172g
SKU : 25335774 (?)
Verdict : Great

Lidl merino long johns

Lidl merino long johns

Lidl Crivit Natural Merino Performance Trousers
Price around £15
42% merino wool / 58% polyester
Weight (size 38/40 GB) : 126g
SKU : 8051564772201
Verdict : Itchy and uncomfy.

Aldi long johns

Aldi Crane Merino base layer long johns :
These were comfy and well-fitting. Seem to wick away moisture decent enough for commuter cycling.

Lidl long johns

Lidl Crivit Natural Merino Performance Trousers :
These were really uncomfy. Really prickly causing itchiness, and you always knew you were wearing them. Not sure why they are not 100% merino. Perhaps to make them lighter and more 'performance shaped' (?) I wore them on a day that turned out quite hot and they were quite sweaty to wear, but I cannot tell if they should perform any differently on a hot day. The Aldi long johns say they 'cool' you in hot weather.

My verdict :
For commuter cycling anyhow, I suggest the Aldi pure merino long johns easily. Both were the same price (£15) in September 2014.