My First Experience with Cat Ears

I tried the “cat ears” for the first time.

I know, sounds weird, right?

The kind of thing you expect a person to wear when they’ve lost a bet.

But here we are.

The “Cat Ears” is the brand name. I wasn’t sure what they were called at first, but now that I know, I’m not so sure if it’s the right term.

They don’t look like cat ears at all. Instead, they’re these fuzzy Velcro straps that go on your helmet.

They’re not as cute as the ones on other helmets — they look more like sideburns that got lost in the wind.

But damn, they work. The ride was quieter, more peaceful. Not like you could hear a pin drop, but definitely a noticeable difference.

1. The Weirdness of the Look

Let’s talk about the first thing that strikes you: you look like a fool.

Seriously. If you wear them, you might as well be wearing a sign that says, “I’m here for comfort, not style.” T

hey don’t even remotely resemble cat ears. I was thinking, “Alright, I’ll look ridiculous, but if it works, who cares?”

I didn’t care that I looked like a bike-riding old man with too much time on his hands.

2. The Wind Noise: A Symphony of Silence

The ride was noticeably quieter. I didn’t know that wind noise was messing with my hearing until I didn’t hear it anymore.

With those velcro things on my helmet, I could hear my surroundings a hell of a lot better.

It wasn’t like I was riding through a vacuum, but the absence of wind howling around my ears made a huge difference.

It didn’t just help with the loudness, though. I could hear cars behind me, beneath me, and to the sides. It was like hearing the world in stereo for the first time, and it made me feel safer.

In a world where a split-second decision can lead to disaster, that extra auditory information was pure gold. I could hear if my bike was grumbling or my chain was starting to complain. That, to me, was worth it.

3. The Safety Aspect: Hearing Is Believing

As a musician, my hearing is sacred. I’m constantly worried about noise damage from all the sounds that get trapped in my ears.

When you cycle at higher speeds, the wind noise can wreck your hearing over time.

My watch was screaming at me every time I hit 20 mph, telling me the environment was too loud.

That’s when I did some digging and found those “cat ears” — a clever little invention that lets you hear better while shielding your ears from wind noise.

I decided to try them. Now, here I am with a pair of fuzzy things strapped to my helmet.

4. The Group Ride Dilemma

I had a moment of doubt. What if I rode with a group? Would these fluffy things mess with my ability to hear instructions or call-outs from the front?

The thing is, in most cases, group rides rely on hand signals rather than yelling out every command.

And besides, with these things, I could hear better from behind me and nearby. Still, I wonder about the balance.

Could I hear the leader’s shouts clearly in a big group? I’ll find out soon enough.

5. The Sweet Sound of Bone-Conduction Headphones

It gets better. I could use my bone-conducting headphones with these on. Most of the time, when you block out some sound, you miss the rest of the world, right? But no. I could still hear my music, still hear the traffic, still hear everything around me.

It was like having the best of both worlds. I’m no audiophile, but damn, that was an experience.

6. The Sweat Factor

Now, here’s where things get a little dicey. If you’re riding on a hot day, and you’re sweating like I do, these things might become your worst enemy.

Not because of the noise, but because they absorb sweat. The material they’re made of is a bit too absorbent.

You’re not going to walk around with a stylish, dry head after a ride.

But, hey, it works well in cooler weather or when you’re not battling a heatwave.

7. The Lasting Impact: An Unexpected Change

Before I put them on, I didn’t think I needed them. Then, after I rode with them for a while, I couldn’t believe I went so long without them.

They really do make that much of a difference. It’s like when you’re walking through life with a slight headache and think it’s normal until the pain disappears and you realize what you’ve been missing.

That’s how these little “cat ears” hit me. You won’t see me riding without them now. You’d have to pry them off my helmet.

Summary Table

Point	Description
The Look	Odd and goofy but functional.
Wind Noise Reduction	Significantly quieter, allowing better awareness.
Safety Aspect	Helps hear cars, surroundings, and mechanical issues, increasing overall safety.
Group Ride Consideration	Might affect group communication, but hand signals dominate anyway.
Bone-Conducting Headphones	Perfect for listening to music while still hearing the world around you.
Sweat Absorption	Be cautious on hot days; they absorb sweat, making your head a little soggy.
Lasting Impact	You won’t realize how much you need them until you’ve used them.

Conclusion

I thought it would be some dumb gimmick — a novelty. But now, I can’t ride without them.

It’s not about looking cool, though. It’s about the fact that when you finally get rid of the constant buzzing of the wind, you hear the world more clearly. And that’s worth the price of looking ridiculous.

I’ll keep using them, but don’t be surprised if one day, I show up to a ride wearing something that makes me look like a mad scientist. It’s just who I’ve become now.