Hearing protection is essential in protecting your ears against the harmful loud gunshots. Two of the most widely compared headsets are the Howard Leight Impact Sport and Walker Razor. Take a look as we review them to see which the better option for indoor shooting is.
Electronic hearing protection should be part of any gun range shooter’s bag. Among the best hearing protection in the market today are the Howard Leight Sport and Walker Razor. On paper, these units are quite similar. They have closely similar noise reduction ratings. In addition they are both low profile earmuffs with slim design. Whether you are shooting, mowing the lawn or using a power saw, either of these devices would be a great choice. However, there are a few differences you notice when you actually use the product which we’ll see in the sections below.The following table highlights their main features.
What are the differences between Walker RazorandHoward LeightImpact Sport?
Feature |
Howard LeightImpact Sport |
Walker Razor |
Noise reduction rating |
22 dB |
23 dB |
Comfort padding |
Thin padded leather headband and ear cups |
Thick, well cushioned headband and ear cups |
Power source |
2 AAA batteries |
2 AAA batteries |
Battery life |
350 hours |
350 hours |
Weight |
0.2 kg |
0.4 kg |
Availability |
Walker RazorvsHoward LeightImpact Sport – How do they compare?
Noise reduction rating
Noise reduction rating is the measure of how much the hearing protection lowers the noise level. This means that the higher the NRR, the more efficient the product is at dampening sound. In this category, the Walker Razor has the edge over the Impact Sport since it has a higher rating. It is rated at 23 decibels while the Impact Sports stands at 22 decibels. This one point difference may be negligible in some environments but really counts in extreme conditions such as indoor shooting. Both units can however be used for mowing, power sawing and hunting.
Design
When it comes to design, we consider the overall look of the headset and practicality in shooting. Once again, the Walker Razor is better as it is sleeker, attractive and sunken edges for easier aiming. Just by first glance, you will notice that the Walker Razor is more appealing over the plain looking Impact Sport. On top of this, the ear cups are sunken for easy placement of the shoulders when aiming and shooting. Impact Sport is also slim and flat for this same reason. As a bonus, the Walker Razor is also available in more colors.
Comfort
There is one important factor that determine the comfort of hearing protection headsets: the thickness of headband and ear cups. Here, the Walker Razor offerdmore comfort than the Impact Sport. Walker Razor has a thicker and softer cushioning around the headband and ear cups. They not only feel great on the head but also add a premium feel to it.The Impact Sport on the hand features very thin cushioning around the headband. The ear cups are also fitted with rubber material that aren’t really comfortable. In addition, they have been said to wear and tear faster. Owners also often replace the ear cups due to the discomfort.
Foldability and ease of carry
Almost all low profile earmuffs can fold into smaller packs. This allows for easy carrying and easy storage. Both the Impact Sport and Walker Razor feature a two-fold design that allows them to fold to a palm-fitting size. However, the Walker Razor are larger and bulkier than the Sport. Because of this, the Impact Sport is easier to carry. It is smaller and fits into tiny packing spaces easily.
Howard LeightImpact SportvsWalker Razor– A comparison overview
Howard Leight Impact Sport
- Built-in directional microphones amplify range commands and other ambient sounds to a safe 82 dB,...
- Actively listens and automatically shuts off amplification when ambient sound reaches 82 dB; Noise...
- Features low profile earcups for firearm stock clearance; adjustable headband for secure fit; compact...
- Includes AUX input and 3.5 mm connection cord for MP3 players and scanners. Integrated power/volume knob
The Impact Sport electronic ear protection is a low profile headset with wonderful performance and great comfort. It is one of the most popular headset in the U.S and it’s easy to see why. This unit has a noise reduction rating of 22 decibels which is ample for any loud activity. So whether you are shooting or mowing, this earmuffs have you covered. They also come with a response time of 2 milliseconds. This fast reaction time ensures you are well-protected against gunshots. With a decibel rating of 82 decibels, ambient sounds are amplified for you to be able to have hear and speak with ease. The microphones on this unit are omnidirectional meaning they pick up low ambient noise from every direction but you wouldn’t know where the noise is coming from.
When it comes to design, the Impact Sport is quite plain. There’s a simple leather cover around the headband and thinly cushioned ear cups. There’s also a 3.5mm audio jack for music anda control wheel that doubles as the on/off switch. The unit is powered by two AAA batteries and is water resistant.
Pros
- Comes with an audio cable
- Slim profile allows for easy posture when aiming
- Fast reaction time to 2 milliseconds ensure protection from loud gunshots
- Long battery life
- Automatic shutdown feature after 4 hours to conserve power
Cons
- Design is too plain and feels cheap
Walker Razor
- Razor" Ultra-thin rubberized cups with NRR 23dB protection
- Two Omni Directional microphones
- Provides sound Activated protection over 89 dB at 0. 02 reaction time
- Operates on 2 'AAA' Batteries- included
The Walker Razor is the Impact Sport’s main competitor. It is also a low profile slim design hearing protection headset with a slightly higher noise reduction rating of 23 decibels. The extra protection is significant in extremely loud environments. It also has a fast reaction time of 2 milliseconds. However, when we tested the units, this model was faster than the Impact Sport which is a great plus. Its decibel rating of 82 also helps in hearing the environment around you. Because of this, the unit is great for hunting.
The Walker Razor is known for its striking and stylish design. It looks great but feels even better in the hand. Its exterior is soft and made from a mix of high quality rubber and plastic. Furthermore, the headband features a thick soft cushioning that feels amazing around the head. The ear cups are deep and seal the ear perfectly for the best experience. Each ear cup is fitted with an omnidirectional mic that amplifies low ambient noise. Another great perk of this unit is that it comes with its own protection case for safekeeping and carrying around.
Pros
- Striking design that is appealing
- Audio jack has a rubber cover for durability
- Much more comfortable than the Impact Sport
- Comes with a hardcover protection casing
Cons
- No automatic shutdown feature
Conclusion
All in all, these units both excel in shooting activities. The Walker Razor is better for indoor shooting since it has a higher reduction rating. The Impact Sport on the other hand is recommended for outdoor hunts since it is lighter and has a faster reaction time.
So which is better? Impact Sport or Walker Razor
Overall, the Walker Razorhas the edge over theImpact Sport for a number of reasons. It is more comfortable, durable and attractive. In addition, it also offers more value for money since you get a lot more features
FAQs
-
Is the Walker Razor water resistant?
Yes. To allow for outdoor activities
-
Does the Impact Sport have gel-filled ear cups?
No. The ear cups are thinly coated with foam material for comfort.
