Where to get earplugs in BULK for CHEAP?

[freetors]

Originally Posted by dddd

i'ld say any large hardware store. Here you would get 80 pairs of 33dB plugs at canadian tire, for maybe 15$.

Yeah that's the going rate at the local Lowe's.

Maybe I'm just a cheapskate but how can a bunch of little chunks of foam be so expensive?

[Ron_Ces]

400 for 19 bucks...
http://www.esafetysupplies.com/Howar...er-Refill.html

Ron

[rboett]

Originally Posted by NJ Moto

I've been happy with this place. http://www.earplugstore.com/

earplugstore also has a sampler pack for just over $7. If you are not sure what your ears like, you can try 20 different pair http://www.earplugstore.com/foearpltrpa2.html

[hrolf]

Originally Posted by tgeliot

I tried these and did not like them at all. Perhaps my ears have the wrong shape, but these didn't feel like they fit in well, and came loose, no matter how much I messed with them.

hmm. They're just wax and cotton. I usually roll them into a cone-ish shape, stuff them in, and then schmear-seal them on the outside like you would a piece of clay.

I just got custom-fit molds as a birthday present,which feel great. These are nearly as good.

[737driver]

http://www.sportys.com/PilotShop you can get a box of 200 pair for $55. These are the ones my airline uses.

[Wuwei]

I like the Howard Leights, but a pair lasts me weeks at least. Wash them or wipe them off once in awhile. A small box I buy from the drug store lasts me a long time. The silicone reusable ones last just about forever, but I found they don't block as much sound.

[Ben Carufel]

I've been riding with these for about 6 months:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ls_o04_s00_i01

They're worlds more comfortable and, I believe, better noise reduction than the SureFire EP3's I was riding with before.

200 pairs for $26. I've given a bunch out, threw a bunch in my range bag, and the box is still almost full. I have found that I can easily wear a single pair for a few weeks if I wipe them off every now and again.

[dddd]

Originally Posted by freetors

how can a bunch of little chunks of foam be so expensive?

I`d say the same about pads in a jacket or pants...Its means protection? let`s make em pay! they can`t say no!
I guess there is a bit of sanity certification checks since this goes in the ears, to prevent infections. But again, they allow hotdogs...

[Ben Carufel]

Originally Posted by dddd

I`d say the same about pads in a jacket or pants...Its means protection? let`s make em pay! they can`t say no!

I'd offer that if you're buying gear whose armor is just foam, you're not buying the right gear.

[tgeliot]

You know how foam earplugs expand slowly after you squish them down, so you have time to get them into your ears? I washed a pair of earplugs once, and apparantly washed out whatever it was that made them expand slowly -- they would instantly spring back to their full size, so I couldn't get them into my ears.

I concluded that washing them didn't work. But I guess that it was just that particular brand or something. I'll try again on washing them.

[ktrout01]

Originally Posted by eddie98

grainger.com

Where I buy all of the PPE for my guys:

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/HOW...U33?Pid=search

250 PR for $76. Pick them up at the counter of your nearest Grainger.

[Ben Carufel]

Originally Posted by tgeliot

You know how foam earplugs expand slowly after you squish them down, so you have time to get them into your ears? I washed a pair of earplugs once, and apparantly washed out whatever it was that made them expand slowly -- they would instantly spring back to their full size, so I couldn't get them into my ears.

I concluded that washing them didn't work. But I guess that it was just that particular brand or something. I'll try again on washing them.

I've also had luck just giving mine a quick wipe with rubbing alcohol and a cotton pad from the girlfriend's makeup stash.

Note: Don't use the girlfriend's actual foamy makeup application pads for fear of strong retaliation.

[Ben Carufel]

Originally Posted by ktrout01

Where I buy all of the PPE for my guys:

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/HOW...U33?Pid=search

250 PR for $76. Pick them up at the counter of your nearest Grainger.

That's actually 500 pairs...which is good, because the exact same earplugs on Amazon are $26 with free shipping and no tax for 200 pairs.

[rick3foxes]

I now prefer the corded plugs, after trying a few.
I cut the cords off at 1 inch - It makes them very easy to remove.
When the cord finally breaks off, I toss them and go to a new pair.

However:
In 90 minutes, I will be at the audiologist, getting the molds made for my mc5 earphones.

[ultrachrome]

Another happy earplugstore.com customer.

I started with their "highest NRR" assortment pack. http://www.earplugstore.com/foearpltrpa2.html

I think it's worthwhile to try everything out there to find what works best for you before ordering a pile of them. I wear these twice a day so I don't have the patience to deal with an ear plug that is tricky to insert, remove, or get a good seal from.

I ended up settling on the Howard Leight Max USA UF.

There were others in the assortment that were just as good but after slowly burning through nearly the entire collection over the course of the year, these were the only ones I could easily identify to reorder.

I've tried some pairs that are pretty much one use but with the flared style plugs that have a light sheen like the Howard Leights, I can easily get a couple months out of a pair, wearing them twice a day, 5 days a week.