Huh? Need hearing Protection…Alclair Outdoors’ EXP PRO: My Honest Review
If you’re an upland hunter looking for electronic hearing protection, let me save you some time: the Alclair Outdoors EXP PRO is the best I’ve found. Having personally tested a wide range of products—some disappointing, some decent—I can say with confidence that the EXP PRO delivers where others fall short.
Why I Went Looking for Better Hearing Protection
A quick backstory first. When I was in the Marine Corps infantry, we basically never wore hearing protection. Not smart (or according to regulations), and it left me with some permanent hearing loss. Fast forward a few years, when I got serious about upland hunting, finding quality electronic hearing protection became a priority—not just for safety, but for enhancing the overall hunting experience. I needed to protect what hearing I had left, so I could hear my family, birds flushing, dogs working, and my friends in the field.
So, the search began and over the last ten years, I’ve tested several options:
High-end earmuffs ($250): Comfortable with gel padding, but bulky, difficult to use when mounting a gun, poor electronics, and terrible wind noise (my backup set for range).
Universal in-ear models ($700): Better electronics than the muffs, but painful to wear for more than 15 minutes. Wind noise and difficulty hearing birds flushing made them unusable.
Custom-molded ($1,600): Comfortable fit, but plagued by excessive wind noise, poor electronic sound quality, and a rechargeable design that often left them dead in the field.
After repeated frustrations, I was still searching for something truly built for the upland hunter.
Discovering Alclair Outdoors
I first learned about Alclair Audio while listening to the Ugly Dog Podcast, where Marc Musselman of Alclair discussed their products. The way he described their hearing protection really caught my attention. So, I called the podcast producer, Mike. Luckily he was on a hunt and I could ask the one question that mattered to me: “What about wind noise?” Mike’s answer: “I’ve got them in right now, the wind is blowing, and honestly it’s louder when I take them out than when I have them in.”
Intrigued, I called Alclair directly and had an excellent conversation with Marc. His passion, background in audio technology, and understanding of hunters’ needs, being an avid upland hunter himself, convinced me to try the EXP PRO.
I ordered a pair after getting impressions made at a local audiologist and picked them up at Pheasant Fest. Right away, I noticed the thoughtful details:
A rugged Pelican case personalized with my name and the AlClair logo.
Replaceable size 13 batteries instead of rechargeables (At first I wasn’t sure, but Marc asked me how many charging cords I took on a hunting trip. Point taken. (Pro tip: Costco is the cheapest source I have found)
Excellent fit and finish, reflecting Alclair’s experience in building professional in-ear monitors for musicians.
Putting Them to the Test
When I got home from Pheasant Fest, the wind was howling at about 20 mph. Perfect test conditions. I put the EXP PROs in, walked to the end of my driveway, and heard almost no wind noise. Then I put in my old $1,600 pair, and all I could hear was wind. That was the moment I knew these were different.
Since then, I’ve shot thousands of rounds at the range and hunted with them for days on end. Here’s what stands out:
Fit & Comfort
Alclair uses a specialized resin that makes their custom-molded units exceptionally comfortable. I’ve worn them for hours at a time without irritation, something I could never say about the other options.
Electronics & Sound Quality
This is where the EXP PRO truly shines. The sound quality is crystal clear—like going from FM radio to a CD. For hunters, that translates to being able to hear birds flushing and dogs working, even in challenging conditions.
The EXP PRO offers four tone settings, allowing hunters to tailor their experience. Personally, I use Level 3 about 90% of the time, though ruffed grouse hunters may prefer Level 4. Independent volume controls for each ear add even more customization.
Batteries
The EXP PRO runs on size 13 hearing aid batteries, which last about two weeks with regular use. They’re inexpensive and easy to find (Costco sells packs of 48 for under $7). I have found batteries are more practical in the field than rechargeables.
Value
At $999, the EXP PRO isn’t cheap, but compared to other custom models I’ve used, the value is outstanding. The $1,600 pair I own doesn’t come close to matching the performance of the Alclair EXP PRO. Some competitors advertise Bluetooth connectivity, but in practice, I’ve found it unnecessary for hunting and a distraction that reduces sound quality.
Other Alclair Products Worth Considering
During my visit to AlClair’s Minnesota facility, I had molds made for a few other products as well:
Shooting Sports Ear Protection ($75–$150): Great for the range or duck/goose blinds. They let in natural sound with either a 9db or 12db filter and block gun shots mechanically. They are made of silicone and extremely comfortable. Not ideal for upland hunting because you’ll miss flushes, but solid for other uses.
Moto Earphones ($499): Perfect for high-noise environments like motorcycling or mowing the lawn. They offer excellent sound quality (think Bose-level clarity) with a low-profile fit that works comfortably under a helmet and no Bluetooth dropouts.
Final Thoughts
Alclair Outdoors is a small, family-run business with deep roots in the music industry. What impressed me most when I toured their Minnesota facility was the craftsmanship—everything from wiring and 3D printing to final polishing is done in-house, with incredible attention to detail.
The EXP PRO is more than just another set of electronic ear protection—it’s a game-changer for upland hunters. With outstanding sound quality, near-elimination of wind noise, excellent comfort, and practical battery use, the EXP PRO offers exceptional value for serious hunters.
For anyone who values their hearing and wants a professional-grade solution, the Alclair EXP PRO is the answer.
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Checkout the EXP PRO now, as Alclair is currently running a sale!