I know they are sound proof because he CAN NOT hear anything I say while I?m talking to him. I am trying to keep up by burning them off and then pushing the melted strands back on to the strap. Air pods came late in a sticky box covered in black smudge. They are comfortable to wear, but a bit snug. Since I mainly sit, they work out fine. Its comfortable and easy to put on yourself. Hard to believe that I would ever find something this price effective that in essence is as good if not better than my Beats. I had to eventually break it into pieces to get it out because there was nothing left for the flat head to fit into. Volume control is as bad, if not worse for me. Gets the bikes out of the way to make room for other things.