‘Block out wind noise’

CFG Motoblock earplugs £79 (+ £30 for home service)

Tested by Justin Hayzelden for two months

Disposable foam earplugs do the job well enough, but they don’t always fit right and chucking them away so frequently can feel a bit wasteful. The solution is to get a reusable bespoke set made, so I employed Custom Fit Guards ‘home service’ to come to my house and take moulds of my ear canals. The process took less than ten minutes and a few weeks later I was presented with a pair of made-to-measure plugs.

Although products with specific filters and integrated speakers are available, I opted for the 'CF Motoblock', which offer the maximum sound reduction at a claimed 30dB. Out of the box they feel suitably durable, with a metal bung in place of a filter and red/blue markings for left/right ear.

Inserting them requires a bit of a knack. The medical grade silicone doesn't slide against skin, quite the opposite in fact, but like a double D-ring helmet strap it becomes much easier with practice. Once wiggled in they fit snug and secure, as only a custom product can. There’s a slight sensation of weight, but it's not in any way uncomfortable, more reassuring if anything.

The effect on noise reduction is dramatic, cutting wind roar to little more than a background effect. Even though the Motoblock doesn't have a filter, the soundscape seems much richer than with foam plugs. Engine and exhaust notes are still clear enough to bring a smile to my face and vital sounds such as traffic and emergency vehicles are not unduly muffled. Even with a helmet on it's not that hard to discern speech and a conversation can still be had without shouting like a lost tourist looking for the nearest beach.

It's hard to estimate exactly how much fatigue is caused by wind noise, but with these in place I feel that I can stay at peak concentration far longer – and that's got to be a good thing. The only negative comment I have is the production/ delivery time was twice that as advertised. That said, a perfect fit was worth the wait and after living with the Motoblock I’d be very reluctant to go back to foam-style plugs.

Quality ★★★★★

Value ★★★★

www.customfitguards.co.uk