Best earmuffs for men according to redditors

No, they're probably something like this. I bet Nick Offerman has several pairs and brought them in because that's what Ron would use.

I’ve suggested them on this sub before, but i absolute LOVE LOVE LOVE my snap-on individual earmuffs. I had a lot of ear infections as a kid so now if my ears get cold it’s EXTREMELY painful, but I’ve never had a problem with wearing these, even in Canadian winters! They’re great for preserving hairstyles (I have a natural mess of curls so I can’t wear hats and regular earmuffs leave a weird dent in my hair) and are super inconspicuous.

They look like this and you can probably get them from any sporting goods store. I got mine from Marks Work Warehouse and I’ve had the same pair for years.

My winter basics (going on 4 years of commuting):

• Studded tires. even here in Edmonton with the cold ass winters, the occasional refreeze of melted snow is what will slip your bike right out from under you
  
• A windproof but breathable jacket and windpants. I have a northface shell that I hate because it just holds the sweat in. don't do that.
  
• Good mitts. Your hands are right out there against the wind.
  
  That's honestly it for basics. I have a set of earmuffs that go around the back of my head because I find touques fall off or my hair lifts them off my ears, but ymmv.
  

I wear 180s earmuffs like these:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B006U1EM66/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1450057232&sr=1-1&pi=AC_SX118_SY170_QL70

Haven't worn a hat in years. Highly recommend.

I use earmuffs, something like these.

I get the nipple irritation really bad as well. A lot of people swear by BodyGlide, which works pretty well, but if it starts to rub off you're screwed. I've moved to using the 3M TransPore tape (sold in drugstores under the NexCare brand) and it's been great. It does a murder on your chest hair, but it's better than bleeding...

For cold ears, I have a pair of these that I'm quite fond of:
http://www.amazon.com/180s-WARMERS-MUFFS-BLACK-METRO/dp/B001G58H2Q

i wear these on my walk to work in the morning. you can judge for yourself if they are doofy or not

http://smile.amazon.com/Degrees-180S-Black-Fleece-Warmers/dp/B006U1EM66/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453327864&sr=8-1&keywords=180s

I bought a pair of these last winter and I love them. I actually wish I could wear them year-round, because they are much more comfortable than any other pair of bluetooth headphones I've used.

Awesome freaking contest, I love homemade gifts :)


If I win, I'd like something that was gender neutral so my boyfriend and I could both enjoy it. I really like this olive color...but in all honesty it's pretty hard to disappoint me lol.


Thanks for the contest, HANDMADE ROCKS!

No good way for someone else to be able to answer this, because everyone is different, and everyone's personal gear/cargo load/bike set up will vary.
My suggestion would be take some practice runs in the clothes you intent to wear(and with the new tires should you get them), and get a feel how much the heavier more restricting clothing, etc, effect you.

Best "estimate" I can give you to go on is to say that for me personally with heaviest clothes I wear during winter riding, and with my rough condition tires on, etc, that my average speed goes down by 3 - 5 mph, and I stop to rest about twice as much.

But, again, that's total winter riding, freezing temps set up. If it's less harsh and you can get away with being less bundled, then it won't have nearly as much affect on you.

OH, another note though. Gloves man. Make sure to have some decent gloves because cold weather riding is harshest on your extremities. I've never cared for "mitten" style gloves, but last year my sister got me a pair of half-finger glove/mittens like these, that to my surprise have turned out to be perfect for my riding needs.
And for your ears, this type of ear-muff-thing is perfect for using with a helmet

It's cold but unless he's going to be spending a lot of time outside you don't need to get too crazy. For outside, a hat (or 180's to not ruin your hair), gloves & a peacoat or ski coat is fine. Maybe some Tingley Rubbers :) I either squeeze my regular coat over my suit jacket or carry the jacket (or better yet leave it in the office). For the office I'd suggest a merino v-neck sweater to wear over his dress shirt.

I got a pair of these (http://www.amazon.com/180s-Urban-Headphones-Black-Warmer/dp/B0056ZAR20) for christmas a couple years ago and they work pretty well. Not great earmuffs and not great headphones but better than having good earbuds jammed into my ears uncomfortably by whatever is keeping my ears warm.

For normal earbuds try yurbuds (http://yurbuds.com/en/behind-the-ear/47focus-100.html#/color-black). These are comfortable, won't fall out (maybe the best at staying in of any headphones I've ever worn), are sweatproof and cheap. Until someone comes out with a decent pair of bluetooth running headphones I'm sticking with these ones.

These work well too.

And I will triple echo the "DC doesn't get a lot of snow" thing. I'm from Michigan but live near DC and it's not really bad at all. By Michigan standards. But you're from a warm, dry place so it will feel like the coldest hell to you. I haven't scoured everyone else's posts for all the advice given, but the one thing I'm never quite prepared for in winter is cold ears. Get some good earmuffs. They don't have to be the ridiculous, giant ones though. I have two sets that I really like. One is called EarBags and they literally clip right onto your ears. https://www.amazon.com/Sprigs-Earbags-with-Thinsulate/dp/B002WQ7R2O

the other are just low profile earmuffs like these https://www.amazon.com/Knolee-Earmuffs-Foldable-Accessory-EarMuffs/dp/B01JIMIMWI/ref=pd_lpo_468_bs_tr_t_2?_encoding=UTF8&refRID=M1DZ7TE8AZ1EQRWJ06P8

My cold-weather headgear consists of a regular cycling cap under my normal cycling helmet. I use a pair of those earmuffs that wrap around the back of your head, and put it under the helmet straps to hold them securely in place. Works great, and I don't overheat once I get warmed up from the exercise.

I'm thinking something like this that is not too obvious https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01M5GY1BA/ref=zg_bs_2474986011_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=2946DEP5RD9YW29BFMQB

Rule 1 my man

http://www.reactiongifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/angst.gif

If sound is of no concern, these look comfy

http://www.amazon.com/Degrees-180S-Black-Fleece-Warmers/dp/B006U1EM66/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422145362&sr=8-1&keywords=ear+muffs

Its legitimate for someone to decide they don't want to wear a helmet while skiing (except I think for under 18 in NJ). However I'm going to judge them on their decision. If they were my friend I would encourage them to wear one for everything but backcountry low angle snowfields :). It's too easy to have a collision with another skiier or to find variable conditions in bounds. If you were my friend here is what I would tell you about your list

1. Helmets are not very uncomfortable. Your helmet was very uncomfortable for your head. I'm sure I could find a hat that would be uncomfortable for you too. Here are a few ideas: wear a helmet without earflaps AND a hat. Wear a helmet without earflaps and separate ear muffs like http://www.amazon.com/Degrees-180S-Black-Fleece-Warmers/dp/B006U1EM66 Or just try on a few different helmets before you buy one.
   
   
2. Stop taking your goggles off your face. Never take your goggles off your face and leave them on top of your head. If you don't breathe on them and don't sit them on your forehead they won't ever fog up.
   
   
3. That's pretty annoying. You should probably buy or make a helmet sack. You can start with one of those drawstring backpacks you get for free every once in a while.

Would something like these behind the head earmuffs work?

The only issue is they have a sort of plasticy frame inside them which could be irritating with the helmet. Here's them on Amazon.

I live in Canada... I can not live without a good pair of ear muffs Brace yourself!

Unless you're totally bald, you don't need to do much more than cover your ears, and for that I use these. They're comfortable, warm, don't give you hat hair, and collapse small enough to tuck in the inside pocket of a coat.

Not sure about the "fashionable" part but I love my 180s. They don't mess up my hair and they have a slimmer profile than most earmuffs. And they come in a variety of colors and patterns if basic black isn't your thing.

I moved to Minneapolis from Texas when I was 22. Spent 4 years there, I moved out for job-related reasons, and plan to move back in about a year.

• Don't fear winter. It scared me, but it really isn't that bad.
  
  
• On that note, get a quality jacket, gloves, hat, and boots.
  
  
• Behind the head earmuffs like these are clutch.
  
  
• Don't cheap out on car batteries. They will die at the worst time. If yours is more than 3 years old, or does poorly during the test at an oil change, get it replaced.
  
  
• Get a quality pair of long jumper cables, and keep them in your car. I never had to be jumped, but I'd end up jumping other people at least twice per winter.
  
  
• Spend time in the parks. Minneapolis has amazing parks, especially Chain of Lakes and the River Parkway.
  
  
• If you're young, go out on 1st Avenue in Minneapolis, hit Uptown, and Grand Avenue in St. Paul.
  
  
• In Minnesota, what Texans call "longnecks" are just "bottles," and "well drinks" are "rail drinks."
  
  
• Summer can be surprisingly hot and muggy. I'd recommend an apartment with AC.
  
  
• Try out the Nice Ride bike share system. It's really convenient if you live in the Minneapolis/St. Paul core areas. The system has really expanded since I moved out.

I have one of these and really like it. I haven't tested it out in true cold yet, but it seems pretty warm (pure wool, thick lining, but looks pretty sleek). Presumably you can get them somewhere outside of Iceland, or even commission someone on Etsy to make you one.

Otherwise, do a combo with a regular hat and one of these.

I mean, they're not explicitly for women, but is this the kind of thing you're looking for?

Ear Muffs!

They don't mess up your hair and keep your ears warm.