AirPods Pro 3 under motorcycle helmet?

[MacMike81]

I read a post about comparing fit of the Pro 2 Vs Pro 3 and the poster mentioned the 3 "sticking out more"?

I am currently using Beats fit pro (essentially APP1?). They seem to work well for me and certainly bigger than APP3?

Has anyone tried APP3 under their helmet?

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

Won't work unless your helmet doesn't fit properly. Surprised you can get headphones in at all without smashing them into your ears but maybe you were very different helmets than I do.

 

[nucl30us_m]

It's been a while since I've driven motorcycles, but I'd concur with previous post that if it's even possible for you to put a helmet on without any earbuds you're wearing falling out, you need to size down. You may want to consider shopping for a helmet with built-in bluetooth audio. Or, if you're not looking to invest in a new helmet, there are purpose-built helmet speakers out there. I'd say wearing airpods under a helmet is a non-starter.

 

[Tasteful Noobs]

I read a post about comparing fit of the Pro 2 Vs Pro 3 and the poster mentioned the 3 "sticking out more"?

I am currently using Beats fit pro (essentially APP1?). They seem to work well for me and certainly bigger than APP3?

Has anyone tried APP3 under their helmet?

I haven’t ridden with them yet, but wearing them under a neck gaiter or balaclava really helps with keeping them in place when putting the helmet on. I also bought some cheap over ear clips as an added insurance that they won’t bail out mid ride and they’re lost forever. Haven’t ridden with them yet, but I assume the ANC in the Pro 3’s will make light work of the wind noise. I did take a phone call with the helmet on in the house and the other person said I was totally understandable and not muddled sounding. We shall see if that translates to on road at speed . . . should be fine, Apple has to know that some will talk on the phone with AirPods outside in the wind. Their voice isolation is great

 

[scrane]

The idea of using ANC while piloting a motorbike makes me cringe.

 

[Tasteful Noobs]

The idea of using ANC while piloting a motorbike makes me cringe.

I can understand that, from many angles. Here’s why I’m going to give it a shot:
1) transparency mode: I have gone shooting with Pro 3’s in. Loud sudden noises are attenuated well, and settings can make the loudest sounds within hearing safe ranges.
2) using a gaiter over the ears AND removable plastic ear clips will drastically reduce the likelihood of an AirPod deciding to bail on me mid-ride. I haven’t had one fall when removing the helmet but I’d park in a dry and clean spot just in case.
3) phone calls seem to work fine with the Pro 3’s stuffed up against the skin / face. No one reports hearing my voice muffled or unintelligible.

Remaining concerns:
crash safety. I’m not sure if slamming my helmet against the ground would cause damage to the ear cartilage. That’s not something I can test really. I can push against my ear and smush the AirPod into it to see if there’s any pain . . . if there is, that would likely be 1000x worse with a major impact.
Battery life and Charging: for longer trips, it would be a PITA to remove the ear clips every time I need to top off the battery, versus running a Cardo and some foamies.
Other Riders: this isn’t a concern right now because I ride solo. But in the future, I may want to get a Mesh-capable comms unit like the Cardo if I’m riding with some friends. I would first try out the Wave Intercom app to see if that does the trick.

Any other concerns are shared with ANY helmet audio system or ear plugs, like not being able to hear horns and sirens as clearly. It’s the contradictory nature of the beast, protecting hearing while keeping situational awareness.