Admittedly, I don't use a headphone as often as I used to because I got out of the habit. Driving a loud sports car made it pointless.  With the z9, I can make calls without having to repeat everything 3 times.  On the standard reduction level, wind, road and exhaust noise are very masked except while accelerating.  At the higher reduction level, even the noise from hard acceleration is masked.  Sure, it makes me sound digitized, but better that than shouting.  It works as it's supposed to.  It could be a bit more comfortable but it's pretty easy to put on and take off so I just wear it when I'm using it.  That's what the shirt clip is for.  Who wants to look like a blue LED flashing geek anyway.