Ear Candy
• WaveSound 3 Headphones: Just the right gear for people who fly a lot, these headphones from Paww feature excellent sound quality and active, effective noise cancellation in a classy-looking and comfortable over-the-ear construct. Designed to block out as much as 20dB of unwanted noise, such as the rumble of jet engines, the WaveSound 3 boasts the latest in noise-canceling technology, which can be employed while connected to a Blue Tooth device or independently, as well as top-quality drivers to provide premium sound. Other attributes are an ergonomic design for wearable comfort over prolonged periods of use, a compact form factor that allows the headphones to be folded into an included sturdy case and a high-quality microphone for making and receiving calls. Included in the case are tangle-free 3.5mm headphone and USB charging cables and a standard airline adapter. $99.99; https://www.mypaww.com/products
• Pluggerz Travel: These earplugs come from a Netherlands-based company called Comfoor B. V. that produces professional hearing protection for home and work. The Travel units house a high-tech filter made to reduce the often painful and irritating middle ear pressure passengers sometimes experience while ascending and descending in an airplane. In addition, the earplugs also filter out harmful noises, while retaining ambient sounds so that wearers can communicate clearly, a safety asset. Made for frequent use, the earplugs are constructed from an anti-allergic silicone material and come in a handy travel pouch. A special kids version, for children ages 4 to 14, comfortably accommodate smaller ears than the plugs for adults. $14.95 a pair; https://www.comfoor.com/ or earplugstore.com
• EarPlanes: These earplugs, which are also designed to relieve pressure on a traveler's ears, offer a cleanable, reusable hypoallergenic silicone product that are available in adult and children's sizes. The eP2 for Children, for example, use a softer, easier-to-insert plug than the brand's standard model. Designed to help relieve air pressure on the relatively narrow eustachian tubes of kids while in flight, these earplugs also reduce the impact of harsh noise. Each pair of the kids' version comes with a tether to keep the earplugs from getting lost while in use. $9.99 a pair; www.earplanes.com
Footnotes
• Ultralight Ski Socks: With winter upon us, the time is right for this unique product from CEP, a company in Germany that says its product incorporates a new textile technology that embeds its yarn with bioactive materials that absorb body heat and harness infrared rays to help keep feet warm on the slopes. The socks, which offer a graduated level of compression, is said to increase circulation by 40%, thereby reducing fatigue and swelling, and will withstand 150 to 200 wearings before losing compression. CEP says that its ultralight nylon/spandex cushioning and support also reduce volume in a skier's boots. Available in a variety of colors and models for women and men, the socks range in price from $18.50 to $65; www.cepcompression.com/
• Vim & Vigr Compression Socks: These socks help to energize legs, prevent swelling, alleviate discomfort and heaviness, aid in muscle recovery and, possibly, help in warding off the danger of deep vein thrombosis (blood clots). Not bad for a pair of socks, right? They offer travelers mild-to-moderate compression from ankle to calf, contoured leg and heel for a superior fit and a flexible toe pocket for comfort. Available for women and men, the selections from Vim & Vigr, a Missoula, Mont.-based firm, encompass a wide range of fabrics, designs and models, including cotton, nylon, moisture-wick nylon and merino wool. $32.95; https://vimvigr.com/