Actually, when push comes to shove, I don't know that I'd take 'em. Depends upon how much heavier they are than my standard earphones. Just weighed 'em, and the noise-cancelling ones are 3.5 oz. heavier.

And, noise is a real problem when you get around civilization, the places you have to resupply. Often one lays over for a day (technically called a "zero day") to rest, wash clothes, eat well, that sort of thing, so there are two nights. (Days when one doesn't go far are called "nero days".) Campgrounds are loud as a rule. Big engines moving around all night, drunks singing and fighting - as a matter of fact, the only real problems come from drinking folk. And sometimes one has to hang around cities, waiting for a train, for instance. Trying to sleep on the lawn in front of a small station, or on one of the benches inside if it's open is a challenge. Having the dog along makes that a more feasible proposition. He stays close.

And, for some reason, RVers in larger groups just seem to hate backpackers. Individually they are nice, but walk past a bunch of them roughing it around the campfire and you'll usually get a snotty comment. Once. If one has the energy and inclination to politely confront them they back down. One time I stopped, very ostentatiously took off my pack, took the pack off the dog, holding him tightly on a leash, and asked one fellow what he meant. His wife said he meant nothing, and hit him. Hard. Everyone laughed their asses off, including me, and they offered me a beer. Had I had a bit more energy I would have hung out with them for a while. They normally have very good food. Only once did I hang out with some and not have them offer to feed me. It was so rare I remember it.

Otherwise the only night noises are deer or elk coming in to water, or owls or coyotes. If I don't have the dog with me small rodents might scratch the side of the tent. Took me a long time to figure out what the "scritch scritch scritch" was, and why it would to away if I poked at it. With the hound I think they smell him and stay away. The buzz of a single mosquito. On Whitney once I was almost buried in a large sleeping bag, had a watch cap on, and woke up to a marmot with his nose in my ear.

If one is lucky a trickling stream or rushing river. If there are other backpackers around they usually head off to bed early. And a small (1.8 oz. w/ 2 AAA batteries) FM radio can go a long ways to soothing the savage breast.

Arf