Loop have launched a 'Sublime' range of ear plugs with three colour options evoking the late 90s

Stylish ear plug firm, Loop, have unveiled a new ‘Y2K-inspired’ range of colours for autumn/winter 2024. The Sublime range colours are available across the Quiet 2, Experience 2 and Engage 2 models and are said to “celebrate the contemplative, hopeful spirit of the late 90s”.

The plugs are based on the standard Loop models so you still get the usual donut-shaped body coupled with various sizes of silicone ear plug, but now in colours called Sugar Plum, Golden Hour and Denim Dream.

Loop recommend the Experience 2 for bikers, which have a 17dB noise reduction – enough to protect your hearing but without losing all of the sounds around you.

We got hold of a pair of Loop Sublime Experience 2 ear plugs ahead of the launch to give them a go.

Loop Experience 2 Sublime first impressions review

By coincidence, I picked up these ear plugs from MCN Towers and then immediately headed to a nearby runway for some high-speed runs on all kinds of motorbikes; a real baptism of fire!

• Related: How quickly your hearing can be damaged on a motorbike

The last time I used Loop ear plugs was straight after they launched and they came with dense, foam ear buds. Although I thought they were excellent ear plugs, the newer silicone buds are a step forward for comfort and keeping the plugs where they’re meant to be.

The case has improved since my first experience, too, and now has a moulded interior that holds the plugs in place. This means they can’t fall out when you pop the case open and that you can easily identify left and right if you use different bud sizes for each.

Onto the more important stuff, the Loops are instantly comfortable and having worn them on and off for around six hours on that first afternoon, I can say that they remain comfortable for extended periods.

It’s great to be able to hear other traffic around you clearly from a safety perspective, but I also noticed I could hear the engines of the bikes I was riding better (which is always good) and also found it easier to speak with colleagues without taking my helmet off between runs.

If you wear a helmet intercom, it’s much easier to hear with the Loops than it is with standard foam ear plugs, too.

The verdict

It’s always great when a product does what it promises and these ear plugs from Loop really fit that description. It’s a simple idea executed perfectly with great attention to detail and design touches.

Don’t worry if you’re not into the new Sublime colour options as you can still get the standard versions.

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