The SurfEars 3.0 was a reliable, flexible set of surfing ear plug, that also doubled as an optimal choice for ocean swimmers or even just fiddling around in the pool. The latest upgrade, the SurfEars 4.0, offers a new wingless format, as well as improved durability (and ecological sustainability through recycled material). But how does it stack up?
In short:
● Wingless option means more flexible wear, particularly for people with smaller ears. No more trouble fitting the plugs beneath a swim cap or helmet, great for winter.
● Superior durability means for a more consistent fit straight out of the box, without sacrificing comfort. It remains to be seen how durability compares to the old set, which lasted about a year before needing to be replaced.
● A new coral/sky colour option is more subdued and subtle.
● Mesh seems to allow more sound through!
First Impressions and Unboxing
A pleasure from the original set was the minimal amount of waste: the plugs, as well as alternative sized tips, are packaged inside the travel case, with magnetic enclosure and carabiner. The SurfEars 4.0 continues this: it’s the same case, with ventilation holes to allow the plugs to dry while safely stored. I got this set in the new coral/sky colour, which is substantially more restrained than the brightness of the original set. The case matches the colour of the plugs, which is cool also.
As with the previous version, the actual setting up of the plugs is straightforward. For the majority of ears, the large sized wingtips matched with the medium sized eartips will be suitable. I’ve worn that size, even with slightly narrower ear canals, and found that they’re comfortable and seal nicely. To switch out for other sizes, you just pop the front off and then replace with one of the smaller or larger tips, included at the bottom of the case.
How they perform in the water
The first thing I noticed wearing the 4.0s was that I could hear more clearly compared with the previous model. Both sets have a mesh designed to allow you to communicate clearly with other surfers or swimmers, and while this mostly works, you will occasionally find reason to remove the plug. To their credit, the new 4.0 is a little clearer here — I found it much easier to communicate with the plugs in my ears, without having to ask anyone to raise their voice!
The seal is strong, without compromising on comfort, and this is probably the strongest praise I can heap on the SurfEars 4.0. They do an excellent job of sealing against water and more importantly, staying in position, no matter what kind of conditions you’re in. I’ve found these essential, for both open water situations, swimming in the pool, and (obviously) going out with the board — I haven’t trialled these in chlorine but expect them to perform similarly.
The attached leash is crucial also for those situations where you might need to remove the plugs, by keeping the leash wrapped around your neck (secure, but thin enough to not involve any unnecessary discomfort) it becomes difficult, nigh impossible, to lose your plugs.
Changes
A major thing to note is that the wings are no longer essential. You can detach them and wear them in a similar way to traditional plugs. While I personally prefer having the wing to stabilise the plug against the rest of the ear, some people found that discomforting, and it could not work with individuals with sensitive ears. More importantly, they now fit even more comfortable beneath a swim cap — a sign that SurfEars are also taking into account the needs of the competitive ocean swimmer.
Durability
In the past, I’ve found that a pair of SurfEars 3.0 last about a year, with proper care, before they begin to seal less effectively and you need to replace them. This was being in the water almost every day, however. For more intermittent users, they should last even longer. When it gets time to replace the plugs, if it’s the tips that aren’t sealing, SurfEars allow you to purchase a fresh pair of tips and just replace those. The stems are generally fairly robust and should last even longer. Time remains to tell on the 4.0s, but after a few weeks of use they still feel just as sharp as when I first unboxed them: the material does seem to be stronger than the previous iteration.
Care
Biggest thing with a reusable plug is that you must rinse it out in clean water after every use and then allow it to air dry. I tend to leave the plugs next to the sink, in the shade, in the bathroom after each use, but the mesh carry case also has ventilation holes to allow you to dry it on the move. Just note: even with the ventilation holes, you’re not going to get it bone dry if it’s in an unventilated area. So make sure you’re unpacking that surf kit now and then!
The other thing to note about a reusable plug is that you need to avoid extreme temperatures, as this can affect the material and cause it to seal less effectively. This takes some doing in Australia: you should not leave the plugs in a hot car, or try to dry them in the sun. The mesh case has a carabiner attached, so you can clip it onto your key ring, but I otherwise recommend you try and keep these plugs somewhere mild between uses, to keep them in their best conditions.
Conclusion
The SurfEars 4.0 introduce a variety of quality of life improvements, along with improved durability, a fresh colour scheme, and recycled materials. They aren’t miles ahead of the 3.0, but worthwhile for your next purchase when your current set degrade. Alternatively, if you’ve previously tried and not liked the form factor of the SurfEars, it would be worth giving it another go — the new wingless option is a great option that competes with other traditional reusable swimming plugs for both swimmers and surfers.
