looking for earplug recommendations

I’ve tried the foam earplugs from a drugstore/chemist’s. They’re extremely difficult to put in properly
There's definitely a right and wrong way to put these in. I used to just stuff them in my ear because I didn't think I needed instructions on how to use them. But, I recently learned I was doing it wrong. After watching this video, putting them on was way easier AND they also blocked out way more noise.
https://inv.nadeko.net/watch?v=VJRc0wtiLzQ
But, yeah, they do get dirty after a few uses. Although, they're way cheaper than Loop... soo... idk.

I'm going to come at this from the wrong angle and suggest filtered earplugs, the flavor of which I'm currently using are these "motorcycle" oriented ones which are indeed also the ones I use when riding.
There are a zillion variants and rebands of these, and if they all look the same to you that's because you're right, and they are. Variants exist being billed as "concert" or "high fidelity" earplugs, or shooter's earplugs, or whatever the hell else. I noticed a few weeks ago Cabelas/Bass Pro is selling a set of plugs identical to mine but in different packaging and marketed towards shooters rather than riders. They all work the same way with a little plastic puck inserted in the middle that's ventilated, and with a tiny diaphragm in it.
Regardless of flavor, the deal with these is that they dampen sound quite a bit with the key distinction of not making you completely deaf while you're wearing them. They also do so while remaining discreet and not making you look like a berk, or as if you've got Airpods in. I've taken to using these for all tasks where I need hearing protection or want quiet, since I almost always have them on me anyway and they're the least uncomfortable type of earplugs I've found so far for long term use that don't also cost a mint. They're washable and my first pair has survived being worn basically every day inside my helmet for about three years running.
- I wonder why the chart on the site is only for frequencies up to 8kHz. Audible goes up to at least 16kHz for folks over 30 years old. I'll have to check how high the guitars go on stage. Honestly, I'll probably order some anyways. Are these the ones with the valve thing that opens at higher pressure (more noise)?
- You can get filtered earplugs custom made at an ENT and might even be covered by insurance

At least here in the USA most insurance companies cover custom ear plugs that support filters.
I paid $200 out of pocket to have the molds made and get 3 sets of filters.
Now I own the mould file and coils purchase new ones out of pocket or have insurance cover a new pair.
I realize your ask was related to some plugs being too expensive BUT maybe my option of subsidized studio quality plugs may help (someone)
- What did you do to warrant insurance coverage for those?
  
  They were covered as preventative care

It'd help if you let folks know what you need or what isn't working about your existing ones, but here are some options that come to mind :)
Depending on your needs you might try the over-ear jobsite or shooting range ear muffs. They clamp a little tighter than headphones but I find them less difficult sensory wise than earplugs generally, and they block out more sound. I think the ones made by 3M called "Peltor" are regarded as the best or just really good quality
But they're a lot more conspicuous, you can't easily interact with the world with them on, and you can't sleep on your side with them if that's a consideration.
Plus you can easily combine them with earplugs or earbuds for maximum silence or music with some isolation.
Another thought is the concert earplugs people make that are supposed to keep all frequencies the same relative loudness but just quiet the sound overall so music still sounds good. I think there are tons of cheap ones on amazon- you might take a look at reviews if going that direction sounds like a better fit

I like Mack's Silicone Putty ear plugs. They custom fit to your ears when you squish them in.

I've tried the foam earplugs from a drugstore/chemist's. They're extremely difficult to put in properly
Take the earplug and roll it between your fingers until it's a smaller size that goes in easily. Take your other hand and grab your earlobe toward the back and bottom. Pull your lobe backward and away from your head; that straightens and opens your ear canal. The combination of these two should make it easy to insert the earplugs.
[If you like, you can play around with putting the tip of your finger at the entrance of your ear canal and then pulling the lobe with your other hand, to feel how it changes the entrance to your ear canal.]
and get dirty after a few uses.
Maybe clean your ears? Also, most of the cheap foam earplugs aren't meant to be a long-term solution, they're definitionally disposable.
- And when you can buy a pack of 200 for $25 who cares if you toss a pair after 3 uses?

Vibes
They are for musicians but are fairly cheap, have a nice carry case which is very small, and let you hear what is happening without losing your shit. They are also easy to clean with hot soapy water and last so far multiple years of daily use. They don't make you feel like you are underwater and more reduce volume than block sound, so walking around and talking to people is viable.

I have a set of Loops and a set of off brand Loop-like ear plugs from Amazon called Curvd. I'm not a super big fan of the ear fins in the Curvd but they're somewhat cheaper than the Loops. They come with a carry case and you can buy lanyards for them. If I'm honest though I prefer the loops.

"Ear Peace" has a nice variety and now available on Amazon.

Alpine has some great sounding earplugs and they are very affordable as well.
Loop are overpriced, but nice.

I don't know the price and since you're on a .de server I definitely can't say for sure, but check out the 3M screwplugs. They're like the foam earplugs you're used to but they're easy to put in/take out and they last a while.

Fuck plugs, use noise canceling ear phones so you can hear and talk to people while wearing then all while they filter out the harmful decibels and pitches that damage your ear.
Seriously, as an unprovoked firearm saftey tip, get noise canceling headphones if you go to the range, shoot outdoors in large groups, or especially with and for any little kids who might be around while shooting. To get ahead of anyone who will yell at me for shooting around kids, ill explain that: between my house, my parent's, my great uncle's and all of my aunt's family members with their families who all own adjacent properties thay make up the 300 acres we share, there could always be kids around from any 1 of the 6 seperate nuclear family households who we share property with.
Like the old timers like to say about guns, its better to be safe and not need to be safe than to be not safe wishing you had been safer.
- high quality ear plugs use filters.
  I can wear them at a concert and still talk to the people next to me.
  
  No shit I had no idea these existed till you told me and googled them. Thx!

I know it's not what you asked, but for when size does not matter (e. g. nap at home), I just use the big over-ear things for construction workers. Very cheap and very effective.

I would also like to know! I find most in-ear devices give me an earache or headache after a while (and don't really do a great job of blocking out all noise).
So far I haven't found anything better than over-ear, active noise cancelling headphones.
- You might also have some luck with over the ear jobsite ear muffs like the ones made by 3M. If you wanted to maximize quietness you could potentially even try them together with noise cancelling earbuds 😅. Or just regular earbuds but then active noise cancelling might be better anyway.
  In my case earplugs usually give me an ear infection cause they compact my earwax, but at my old job I loved using the earmuffs to keep it quiet in our loud-as-shit workshop
  
  Great idea! Thank you

Downbeats sells a “smaller fit” set that I like for their noise dampening in stores and other crowded settings, and they don’t hurt my ear canal like a lot of in-ear plugs. They’re less than $15 on Amazon.

We have "Pluggerz" brand for a step up from the generic foam plugs, and some of their designs fit me well enough. Maybe they'll fit your ears too. They're around 10/20 euro

Happy Ears - small, not to pricey, reuseable. I prefer to my Loops

Etymotics