Yearly, I survey the top-ranked shooters within the Precision Rifle Sequence (PRS) to seek out out precisely what gear the most effective on the planet are working. From rifle actions and scopes to tripods and ballistic solvers, these “What The Execs Use” studies reveal the real-world tendencies amongst elite opponents, all primarily based on laborious information, not advertising and marketing claims. This time, we’re digging into one thing each shooter wants however typically overlooks: listening to safety.
For this examine, I collected detailed information from the 200 top-ranked shooters within the PRS Open Division, asking every what ear safety they personally use in competitors. Meaning this isn’t guesswork or sponsorship fluff. These are the fellows and gals capturing within the hardest circumstances, burning actually hundreds of rounds a yr, and nonetheless needing to listen to each command from the vary officer. They spend far more time on the vary than most! They’ve discovered, typically by means of painful expertise, what truly works when it issues most, and what they belief to guard one thing priceless: their listening to.
While you collect information from this huge group of professional shooters, patterns begin to emerge. Clear favorites rise to the highest, and area of interest gear selections reveal themselves, too. Whether or not you’re selecting between in-ear digital plugs or over-ear muffs, this data-driven information will show you how to determine the most effective listening to safety to your personal vary days or matches.
In-Ear vs. Over-The-Ear Muffs
There are a ton of choices on the market for ear safety, however they typically fall into two type elements: over-the-ear muffs or in-ear fashions (much like AirPods or earbuds). Here’s a breakdown of what this group of marksmen decide to put on in competitors.
On the chart above, the varied colours characterize the place a shooter landed when it comes to season rank within the PRS. For instance, black signifies shooters who completed within the high 10, the darkest blue is individuals who completed 11-25, and the lighter the blue, the additional out they completed in general standings. The chart legend itemizes the ranks every colour represents, however principally, the darker the colour, the upper the shooter’s general rating.
In relation to how shooters put on their ear safety, there’s a transparent development among the many high 200 Precision Rifle Sequence opponents: 56% of those guys choose in-ear listening to safety, whereas 42% nonetheless use conventional over-ear muffs. A really small share of shooters reported utilizing each throughout a match to be doubly protected in opposition to the loud muzzle brakes that almost all of those opponents run.
The recognition of in-ear options has steadily grown over time as know-how has improved. Trendy digital in-ear fashions supply lively noise discount, glorious readability, and minimal bulk. Many high opponents like that in-ears don’t intervene with rifle shares, cheek weld, or hats, they usually’re cooler and lighter to put on throughout lengthy match days within the warmth.
Alternatively, some shooters nonetheless choose over-ear muffs for his or her worth, constant seal, simplicity, and dependable safety. Each choices can present the most effective listening to safety when used accurately, however this information reveals that in-ear designs are actually the go-to selection for a lot of the high shooters within the PRS.
Digital vs. Passive Listening to Safety
You possibly can select passive (non-electronic) listening to safety or digital variations that use built-in microphones and audio system. Digital fashions amplify quiet sounds (like voices or vary instructions) however immediately suppress loud gunfire or equipment noise. The passive ear safety consisted of both generic foam ear plugs or custom-molded in-ear safety, with none battery/amplification.
Right here is the breakdown of what number of shooters used every sort:
81% of professional shooters use digital listening to safety, and 18% depend on passive ear professional. Digital fashions permit shooters to listen to vary instructions from an RO, the beginning timer for a stage, and different ambient sounds whereas nonetheless defending in opposition to gunfire, which might be very useful in fast-paced match environments.
Of the 33 shooters who stated they used passive ear safety, 61% stated they used “generic foam ear plugs,” and 39% stated they used “Customized-Molded Non-Digital In-Ear Safety.” There have been 3 shooters within the high 10 who had been utilizing passive ear safety, so clearly these less complicated options can nonetheless work effectively at a rifle match.
A couple of shooters reported utilizing each digital and passive setups (e.g., foam plugs + over-the-ear digital muffs), however the information clearly reveals that digital listening to safety has turn out to be the overwhelming favourite among the many greatest precision rifle opponents.
What Is Customized-Molded or Customized-Match Ear Professional?
Customized-fit ear safety is individually formed to suit the distinctive contours of your ear canal. As a substitute of utilizing generic foam plugs or over-the-ear muffs, these are produced from impressions or digital scans of your ears for an ideal seal and most consolation. The impressions are despatched to a producer who creates earplugs or digital in-ear units particularly formed to your ears. In case your ears harm after a protracted day of capturing, you battle to maintain in customary earbuds, otherwise you simply need the final word in consolation, then it is best to contemplate custom-fit.
Greatest Ear Safety Manufacturers
Lastly, the chart beneath reveals the manufacturers that this group of elite shooters stated they use in competitions. This chart excludes the shooters who stated they use some sort of generic foam plugs or generic custom-molded ear professional. It solely consists of the precise manufacturers that shooters offered on the survey.
The professionals had been unfold over an enormous vary of manufacturers. We’ll dive into the preferred manufacturers and particular fashions they talked about beneath.
#1 Sordin: 17% of Execs
In relation to ear safety, one model clearly stands above the remaining among the many top-ranked shooters within the Precision Rifle Sequence: Sordin. 17% of the highest 200 PRS opponents stated they use Sordin ear professional, making it the preferred selection by a large margin. All of these shooters particularly reported utilizing the Sordin Supreme Professional-X Digital Earmuffs. These shooters are logging hundreds of rounds a yr, and the truth that one in 5 belief Sordin speaks volumes about its consolation, reliability, and sound readability beneath match circumstances. The Sordin Supreme Professional-X Digital Ear Muffs have a avenue worth of $340 (on the time this was revealed).
There have been shooters utilizing Sordin Supreme Professional-X Digital Over-The-Ear Muffs at each degree, together with 10 within the high 50, with 2 of these being within the high 10. Meaning they had been additionally the preferred selection among the many guys on the very high of the leaderboard.
#2 Peltor: 12% of Execs
Peltor was the second hottest model among the many execs, representing 12% of those top-ranked shooters. Of these utilizing Peltor, 75% had been utilizing the Peltor Digital In-Ear Safety and 25% utilizing Peltor Digital Ear Muffs.
The Peltor EEP-100 In-Ear Digital Ear Professional appears to be the preferred mannequin, which has a avenue worth round $230. In truth, you may see professional shooter Patrick Youngs, who completed fifteenth general within the Open Division final season, sporting a pair beneath.
#3 Walker’s: 10% of Execs
10% of those shooters had been utilizing Walker’s ear safety. The sample for Walker’s was flipped, with solely 22% of these utilizing Walker’s choosing the in-ear fashions and 78% selecting the over-the-ear muff type issue.
Within the photograph beneath, professional shooter and AG Cup Champ Andy Slade is carrying the Walker’s Razor Slim Extremely-Low Profile Digital Earmuffs, which have a avenue worth of round $41.
#4 Howard Leight: 8% of Execs
The enduring Howard Leight Affect Sport Digital Ear Muffs had been the subsequent hottest pair, with 8% of shooters choosing these over-the-ear muffs. They’re one of the crucial frequent units of ear professional you’ll see at any vary, immediately recognizable and broadly trusted for his or her stability of worth and efficiency. Avenue worth for the Howad Leight Affect Sport Earmuffs are round $56.
#5 OTTO Engineering: 8% of Execs
The OTTO Engineering NoizeBarrier In-Ear Digital Ear Safety represented 8% of those professional shooters, though it was fascinating to see that not one of the guys within the high 50 had been utilizing them. I’m unsure what to make of that, however that truth did appear to stay out within the information. The road worth on these is round $470.
#6 Digital Shooters Safety (ESP): 6% of Execs
Digital Shooters Safety (ESP) represented 6% of those professional shooters. That included 6 ranked within the high 50, making it one of the crucial fashionable selections amongst these on the very high. ESP makes professional-grade custom-molded in-ear listening to safety. ESP is likely one of the few custom-fit digital listening to safety programs on this record. The ESP Stealth is the preferred mannequin, that are priced at $2,100 – making it the costliest set of ear safety on this record.
I (Cal Zant) was considered one of these professional shooters surveyed, and I’ve personally been utilizing ESP Stealth ear safety since 2017. That’s a photograph of me sporting them on the 2024 PRS Finale beneath. Whereas the value tag was laborious to swallow, I haven’t regretted it for one second and contemplate it among the best investments I’ve made. As a result of they’re custom-molded to your ears, they’re so comfy that you just’ll overlook they’re in. I’ve worn them 12-16 hours straight on hunts, after which forgot to take them out on the drive house since you don’t even discover they’re in. I’ve had my listening to examined and don’t have any listening to loss, however I choose carrying these as a result of the amplification merely helps me hear somewhat higher. (By the way in which, I paid full retail worth for my pair, so this isn’t some sort of “sponsored” plug.)
After I initially purchased my ESP ear professional, I didn’t have a complete record like this of different high fashions to check (which is why I believed this text could possibly be so useful 😉). Whereas I nonetheless love my ESP Stealth ear professional, if I had been shopping for once more right this moment, I’d additionally contemplate the SoundGear Phantom, which is one other fashionable custom-fit digital in-ear system (extra on that mannequin beneath).
#7 AXIL: 5% of Execs
5% of those elite shooters had been utilizing AXIL ear safety. 90% of these utilizing AXIL reported working their in-ear fashions, and 10% stated they used the over-ear muffs. The AXIL XCOR PRO Wi-fi Earbuds function Bluetooth and Contact Management and has a avenue worth of $210.
#8 Champion: 5% of Execs
5% of the professional shooters had been working the Champion Vanquish Professional Elite Digital Earmuffs, together with two shooters within the high 10! Avenue worth on the Champion Vanquish Professional Elite Digital Listening to Muffs is $195. You possibly can see two-time PRS Season Champ Austin Orgain in his Champion Vanquish ear professional within the photograph beneath.
#9 SoundGear: 5% of Execs
5% stated they used SoundGear Customized-Molded Digital In-Ear listening to safety, together with 1 within the high 10. SoundGear gives a couple of completely different fashions, however a few these shooters specified that they used the SoundGear Phantom In-Ear mannequin, which sells for $1,600. In addition they make the SoundGear Silver mannequin ($1000), which are nonetheless digital and custom-fit, however doesn’t embrace superior options like Bluetooth or wind noise administration. Solely a few the shooters specified that they had been utilizing the Phantom, and the others didn’t say, in order that they could be utilizing both mannequin. SoundGear says the Phantom is their high vendor, so it appears seemingly most of them might have been utilizing that mannequin.
I did discover that in case you purchase a pair of those in October, you should use the low cost code “PROTECT25” for 25% off the Phantom mannequin. Right here is a photograph of the two-time IPRF World Champ, Austin Buschman, in his pair of SoundGear Phantoms.
The Remainder of the Manufacturers
After the 9 manufacturers above, utilization drops sharply. The next manufacturers had been every utilized by only one–2% of execs. Whereas these manufacturers clearly work effectively for some shooters, they characterize area of interest preferences in a class largely dominated by a handful of different main gamers.
Tip: You could possibly use HSA/FSA funds to buy listening to safety units, much like listening to aids. That would prevent some cash. Try ESP’s information on that topic. Whether or not it’s eligible or not may range by plan, so examine your particular plan paperwork or contact your administrator to substantiate.
Different What The Execs Use Articles
This submit is considered one of a sequence of articles that have a look at the tools the highest PRS shooters use. Listed here are hyperlinks to different fashionable articles in that sequence from the previous yr:
View all “What The Execs Use” articles
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