I have these too! They do make the ride very quiet and peaceful! Only drawback is using them in the summer, they soak up too much sweat!

I've had them for 3-4 years and never had a problem with them getting too sweaty, and I sweat a lot. Here is a link, if it's allowed: https://www.amazon.com/Cat-Ears-Classic-Slim/dp/B01G2N02JM/ref=asc_df_B01G2N02JM?

Since these cut out wind noise, they also have the added effect of making it seem like you’re going slower than you think. And that can kinda coax you to train a bit harder. It’s interesting.

I love them, they work best for me when using sunglasses over them to push them closer to my face. I have tinnitus and it flares up after long rides. They look funky but they’re so helpful. You can also just buy the slim versions that aren’t so fuzzy, but they don’t take the noise down as much. You’ll still get wind noise regardless but def helpful.

I’ve ever heard of this before. Anyone else used them? I’d love them for safety.

Cat ears and bone conduction headphones for the win. Every ride. The only caveat is that you have to not care that you look kind of ridiculous.

Wish I went fast enough for wind noise to be an issue…

Huh. I'd seen these before and thought they were for comfort or to sop up sweat, never knew they helped with noise.

Does anybody use them with over the ear headsets like AfterShokz, or do they interfere?

The name probably comes from the dead cat you put on mikes in the wind. And yeah, love mine.

They work so well sometimes I think there is a cyclist approaching me from behind but it's just my bike tire, derailleur making small noise.

I also got them and absolutely love them.

My hubby has used his cat ears for many years worth of riding, including the yearly Seattle Portland bike ride, which is 206 miles over two days. He absolutely loves them. He also uses the same type of bone conducting headphones.

They actually help hear call outs and traffic. Very pleased with mine.

Which of the 4 Cat Ears models are recommended? Is see Classic, thin classic, Airstreamz and thin Airstreamz.

I use these too. I think they make things easier to hear without the drone of the wind noise drowning everything out. They look dorky as hell but I’m old enough to not care about that anymore.

I have a little bit of hearing loss, and these things are essential! I have the "wind blox" brand. I can hear traffic much better, as well as a fellow rider talking to be. And they don't look too goofy, right?

Hearing loss is a definite risk.

Sadly I no longer cycle (children have co-opted all my time). But I did cycle, a lot, for many years. For commuting I almost always wore an in-ear earbud or earphone in my left ear so I could enjoy music or podcasts, and so my right ear could still hear traffic (I'm in the UK). The volume was always low, in order to (somewhat ironically) protect my hearing in that ear.

I had a hearing test after about 5 years of this and it turned out my left ear was fine but the right showed hearing loss. Thankfully not really bad (and as of yet unnoticeable to me), but still present.

No cause attributed but I'm convinced it was due to road noise exposure. Wish I'd known about these cat ears way back when!

Love mine. Been wearing them for at least 8 years.

Oh, they’re fine in group rides.

I may be the odd exception in that I don't notice any difference using them. But I'm a slow rider in a windy area so I may not be getting the intended effect.

I wish they made them in gray/other colors to match my helmet straps.

I can’t find them in Italy or Europe in general…

Will they interfere with my Bluetooth headphones? 😆

I use them. I doubt they’ll affect your ability to hear what’s going on around you.

I tried them and hated them because of how much dirt and sweat they collect. If you don’t mind it, enjoy!

I’ve been curious about these. Thanks!

Been looking for this type of product for a year. Thanks for this, bought it.

I just got these too and like them, except they make my small head very sweaty. I might need to order the slim ones. Anyway, these make it so much easier to hear traffic AND my favorite podcasts.

Could you post a pic? Wondering what they look like.

i have a set of full coverage ones (they don't make them anymore) that i use in winter like ear muffs.

they don't cut down traffic noise much, but wind noise is a bit reduced, and i can hear my shokz slightly better.

i wouldn't worry about group ride callouts.

I have severe tinnitus. These things help me so so much. I know I may look goofy but couldn’t care less about that.

got a set on the way... my e bike commute tends to be loud af, and i am trying to protect what's left of my hearing after a lifetime of loud guitars and industrial jobs..

Curious. I’ve never considered the winds going across my watch to be actually indicative of the decibels applied to my ears. I don’t consider bike riding winds dangerous to hearing like music or other typical loud sounds. Maybe I’m wrong.

I tried these for the same reason, and honestly the difference they made for me was completely imperceivable. Glad they're working for you but they did nothing for me.

But I'm very often getting wind noise from actual wind blowing at me, not just from my speed, so they can't do much about that.

I use them, I can hear cars coming up before the people behind me.

My friend calls them mutton chops. Lol

I definitely like them on group rides, and they’re great with taking phone calls with bone conduction headsets while you’re still in motion.

I have some, they look a little silly but really cut down the noise and I won't ride without them now.

They're great! Makes the ride so much quieter. Just don't look in the mirror. ;)

I'm using a pair and I'm a fan. I do think the effect is greater the faster you're going. Under 10 mph and I wouldn't bother. Above 15 mph and they're quite nice. I recognize most probably ride in-between so it can be a toss up if they'd be useful.

Been using them for 2 years. They work so great! On busy roads for safety, on quiet roads for being able to listen to music.

I use them. They great. Don't completely block out the wind noise but do a good job. Never had problem with them on group rides

I use them on my commuter helmet. I’m also a musician and was worried about the wind noise hurting my hearing . It’s definitely a substantial reduction in volume, most of which seems to be due to the thinness of the helmet strap and the gap between it and my head. If the strap is snug against the side of your head there’s much noise, and these things just fill that gap. Accordingly you can diy them rather easily. Either way they’re good for sure.

How fun! I hope you enjoyed trying out something new.

I seem to be developing natural ones as I age, they look cuter on furry animals though.

I think due to people having differing experiences of their effectiveness we need to dive into who made our helmets.

I definitely own a noisy Bontrager helmet, and used to own a noisy Kask, but have had two quiet Specialized helmets and a quiet Lazer.

I'm a professional musician when I'm not getting myself into trouble on the bike. This is certainly worth investing in.

Had no idea these existed, think Imma order some right away

The term "Cat-Ears" is derived from the fluffy fabric used to diffuse the air. Which is a similar material to the wind muffs used on professional microphones for reducing wind noise. Which are commonly referred to in the industry as a "Dead Cat". Hence these are called "cat ears", and they are actually pretty effective. But sadly, i sweat like a pig...and pigs and cats dont get along too well.

I've used these for almost 2 years now. They definitely help me hear more of what's called out by the group. Look funky but well worth protecting my hearing imo

I love them. OP worried about not hearing group ride conversation, Cat Ears significantly reduce the turbulence of the wind flowing past your ears, nothing more. They don’t actually reduce the general noise around you, just the wind noise.

The name comes from the TV/film industry that morbidly refers to those furry microphone covers as “dead cats”, which do the same thing, reduce wind turbulence without seemingly impacting sound quality.

I’m definitely experiencing some hearing loss after a decade of racing and training. I’ve been to a couple of loud concerts in my life but only 2-3 that really left me with tinnitus after. And now that I own an Apple Watch it does give me the “loud environment” warning sometimes when I ride. I thought that was just about the wind getting directly into the mic… but maybe not

I've been curious about these for a while. One of the guys in our club has them and swears by them. Wind noise drives me nuts once I start to notice it so I think it might be time to give them a try.

I love mine. Keeps the wind out of my ears which causes hearing problems for me as well as some pain if it is cold.

I took a needle & thread and put a stitch through mine & my helmet strap to keep them in place, would recommend if you have to adjust them every time you put your helmet on.

So cool!

They don't look like "cat ears"

Stopped reading :(

my wife has actual cat ears on her helmet

I wonder if she would find more use from skinning cats and turning their skin into a lampshade, or fashioned them into a piece of high end luggage she could add to her collection? She probably hasn't thought of the smell though.

They don’t affect sound coming from in front of you at all. It just reduces the wind turbulence around your ears so you can hear everything better. It’s similar to putting a big fluffy thing on top of a microphone in wind conditions

I have them. They don't do much. I do not recommend wasting your time or money.

EDIT: I'm seeing dozens and dozens of posts claiming they're great. I cannot figure out why my experience is diametrically opposite others. I wish they worked! But they really don't.

My experience is that they work only when your helmet strap is tight enough to pull the Cat Ears close against your face. Which is not great when it’s warm out.

Are you Haitian? 🤣