[WorldMaker]

The Bose QC series come with a very good "over the ear" variants that don't rest directly on the ear, but instead around it. That comfort issue was bigger to me, personally, than any noise cancelling options. I actually opted against a noise cancelling model because I found the over-the-ear configuration alone cuts down enough noise that I'm happy, and the cost and weight savings was a useful bonus.

I spent hours in a Best Buy trying to find headphones I would be comfortable wearing for hours and the over-the-ear Bose models won out by far as the most comfortable I could find.

[drakonka]

Thank you, this is encouraging. I've just ordered the QC35; now hoping for some peace in the open plan office.

[drakonka]

Update: Just got these. Where have they been all my working life? These make the open plan office considerably more tolerable.