SoftSeal: Amazing Ear Pro Upgrade | REVIEW, 1 Year Update
Electronic ear pro for shooting is my favorite choice. However, wearing a muff-style ear pro for several hours can become uncomfortable because the ear pads are not exceptionally soft. These replacement ear pads from ReadyUpGear are amazingly comfortable. So much so; I guarantee you won't go back to standard ear pro once you try them.
Electronic Muff-Style Ear Pro:
A day at the range for me is usually several hours. I typically have my hearing protection on my head nearly the entire time. For several reasons, I find electronic hearing protection to be the very best.
However, wearing a muff-style ear pro for a long time can cause hot spots around the ear and even lead to headaches. This discomfort was just something to accept, along with the benefits muff-style ear pro.
That changed when I installed these gel earpads on my electronic hearing protection. I feel pretty confident in saying that nobody who installs these will think it was money wasted. I asked many friends to try my ear pro after I installed the SoftSeal ear pads. Every person responded with a smile and asking where they could get a pair.
Significant Benefits of SoftSeal Ear Protection Pads:
After using the product, I found there are two ways SoftSeals greatly enhance existing hearing protection.
- improve the overall comfort of the ear protection
- provide a better seal around the ear
First, and probably most obviously, the gel-filled SoftSeal ear protection pads provide a much softer feel. The gel inside the pads spread the pressure evenly over a larger surface area. The pressure distribution eliminates the pressure points that come from regular ear pads. When I started using these, I no longer felt the need to adjust the muffs on my ear to eliminate hot spots.
Second, the flexibility of the SoftSeal pads creates a better seal around the ear. I have had occasions where the part of the shooting glasses that go over the ear causes a slight gap in the seal. The standard pads are just not supple enough to seal around the sunglasses. However, the SoftSeal gel filling overcomes this problem.
I cannot quantify the difference in dB rating with and without the SoftSeals, but it certainly seems to do a better job of blocking out any damaging sounds.
Which Brands do the SofSeals Work With?
Because companies have slightly different shapes to their hearing protection ear pads, there are three different SKUs of SoftSeal ear pads. They are:
- 3M/Peltor:
- Peltor Rangeguard / WorkTunes
- Peltor Tactical Sport 100/300/500
- ComTac II/III/XP/XPI
- ProTac / Shotgunner
- Sound-Trap / SportTac
- Tactical 6-S / TacticalPro
- Sport / 3M Peltor X1A-X5A
- Howard Leight/Roger 22:
- IMPACT Sport BOLT
- IMPACT Sport
- IMPACT PRO, SYNC
- LEIGHTNING SERIES
- Walkers:
- Razor
- Razor Digital
- Razor Bluetooth
- Razor XTRM
- XCEL
- XCEL BT
- Razor Slim
Installation:
The ReadyUpGear website includes install videos for all the different products, and there are directions included on the packaging. The process is nearly the same regardless of what type of ear pro you're using. I changed out the pads on my Roger 22s, and it took me about one minute to get them swapped out.
Changing the ear pads is so straightforward that if you're struggling, you're probably doing it wrong.
Here is a video of me swapping out my earpads on a set of Roger 22's electronic hearing protection.
Conclusion:
ReadyUpGear is a sister company of Concealed Carry; however, this has no bearing on this review. I can confidently, strongly recommend these SoftSeal ear pads for your electronic ear protection.
For about $30.00, your ear pro will feel so much better and give you a better seal. I sincerely can't think of a single legitimate reason not to upgrade your hearing protection with these ear pads.
For those of you who have tried these SoftSeals, leave a comment with your experience.
One Year Update —
I published this post over a year ago and wanted to update how the SoftSeals have held up. So far the pads function as well as they did the day I installed them. I use my Roger 22s with the SoftSeals installed often. Not just on the range, but when I use my zero turn mower or other lawn equipment. The pads haven't lost their shape, and still feel great.
I am thrilled with how the SoftSeals have held up and can't help but recommend once again that anyone using muff-style hearing protection experience how much this simple product helps.