Increase Your Margin of Safety: Don't let Sound Masking Wind Noise Interfere with Situational Awareness and Communications
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Easier communications with other cyclists
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Hear approaching cyclists and vehicles sooner
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Enjoy more peaceful rides with less wind noise
Unsurpassed Wind Noise Reduction Since 2012
Cat-Ears / AirStreamz are the most effective wind noise reduction products because they address the physics of ear wind noise. We are the only company to be awarded a Utility Patent for cycling wind noise mitigation because our approach uniquely solves the core problem: hydrodynamic pseudo-sound—the true source of wind noise.
Over 250,000 Customers in 50+ Countries. Satisfaction Guaranteed.
The Solution to Wind Noise: Taming the Turbulence
Ear wind noise primarily stems from aerodynamic turbulence creating hydrodynamic pseudo-sound directly at the ear. These intense, non-propagating pressure fluctuations in the turbulent airflow directly excite the eardrum, causing the perceived roaring noise, whose intensity increases with wind speed. At moderate cycling speeds, wind noise can impact the ability to hear surrounding sounds.
How They Work
Our products are made with porous pile materials that interact with the wind to manage velocity and turbulence. Porous materials have benefits for airflow control by introducing a fluid permeable medium that modifies boundary layer, shear layer, and wake characteristics. Incoming turbulence is absorbed by the material and there is a designed amount of air flow-through. Our products do more than merely obstruct the wind.
In addition to road testing, we perform analysis in our custom aero-acoustic wind tunnel. We utilize precision audio equipment, spectral analysis software, hot-wire anemometers, pressure probes, and flow visualization. Our products have also been tested at Universität Siegen and Brandenburgische Technische Universität.
Material characteristics, such as porosity, permeability, and diffusion, are evaluated for their effectiveness in reducing wind noise across a wide range of wind speeds and turbulence intensity levels. In this regard, we are the only cycling-related company to hold a utility patent for wind noise reduction (i.e., a new idea with practical application).
Acoustic Transparency
Effective communication and the ability to discern the location of surrounding sounds, such as approaching vehicles, can be crucial for safer cycling. Our products do not block the sounds that you want and need to hear. The materials we use have been independently tested for acoustic transparency at Antioch University.
For a deeper dive into Wind Noise:
Cycling Wind Noise and How We Can Help
(The Physics of Cycling Wind Noise: From Aeroacoustic Generation to Mitigation)
Our Favorite Cycling Wind Gear
"With Cat-Ears / AirStreamz, I found I was enjoying rides more... Simply because I could hear more of what I wanted and less of what I didn't."
G. Liu / J. Lindsay, Bicycling Magazine
BikeRadar's First Look (2012) and Update
"Cat-Ears work well at reducing wind noise, particularly at higher speeds. Allowing improved awareness of surrounding traffic and racers. I heard little more than tires, gears, and birds on my a.m. ride."
J. Huang, BikeRadar / CyclingTips
Triathlon Essentials for Racing Fast, Training Hard, and Having Fun
"Wrap this half inch pile material around your helmet strap to reduce wind noise in your ears... so you can more easily hear cars coming and friends talking."
E. Beresini, Outside Magazine
We offer cyclists two material options designed to mitigate ear wind noise: our longer-pile faux fur Classic and our proprietary shorter-pile AirStreamz. These distinct material offerings allow riders to select the optimal balance between wind noise reduction performance and aesthetic preference.
According to Amazon, our products are the Highest Rated and Best Selling.
Please visit our Amazon Store if you prefer to purchase our products through Amazon.
"The average person facing a 21 mph wind experiences wind noise at an intensity of 92 dB."
(Experiments on the Noise Heard by Human Beings when Exposed to Atmospheric Winds, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway)
"We use our hearing as an early warning system, and hearing swiftly redirects our vision. This shift in gaze is critical to our capacity to assess the location, direction of travel, and speed of approaching vehicles. In addition, visual perception is more accurate and faster when the visual stimulus is paired with an auditory one."
Hear the Wind Noise Reduction Difference
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Wind Noise at 15 mph - without Cat-Ears / AirStreamz
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Wind Noise at 15 mph - with patented Cat-Ears / AirStreamz
We test our products at different speeds (10-35 mph), turbulence levels, and yaw / pitch variations.
Computational Fluid Dynamics
When applying computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to our study of cycling wind noise, we create digital models and simulate airflow interaction. CFD software 'solves' complex equations to predict airflow behavior, providing detailed visualizations of velocity and pressure fields. This allows for the precise analysis of how wind interacts with different features (e.g., glasses, helmet), revealing the formation of turbulent eddies and pressure fluctuations that contribute to ear-wind noise. Cat-Ears proprietary CFD analysis is related entirely to the investigation of cycling ear-wind noise.
Cat-Ears Wind Noise Reducers
"Do they work? Yes, as advertised, We found it easier to hear traffic and carry on conversations."
J. Sumner, RoadBikeReview / MTBR
Adventure Cycling Association
"I can't say enough good things about this product. Wind noise can inhibit one's ability to distinguish traffic noise, often a first line of defense, particularly in an urban setting, Cat-Ears don't restrict hearing while others I've tried do."
P. Finley, Adventure Cycling Association
The Cat's Pajamas for Noise Reduction
"Cat-Ears are a simple but surprisingly effective product that can make a real difference, especially on group rides. I'd almost go so far as to say they're purr-fect."
D. McCausland, Sportive (UK)
League of American Bicyclists Instructor / Coach
"I had the opportunity to try your products this weekend... About halfway through the ride, I suddenly realized that I could hear EVERYTHING that was being said in my group of 5 riders! I could still hear some wind noise, but I was very impressed with the fact that I could hear riders several bike lengths in front of me."
Cycling Instructor / Coach, League of American Bicyclists
Be wary of exaggerated claims based on erroneous testing; our comprehensive testing methods are specifically designed to accurately measure true wind noise reduction.