Originally Posted by
Koyote
I ride about the same mileage, and have replaced my last couple helmets at roughly four-year intervals, and the interiors were still in fine shape - pads okay, straps and buckles good, etc. Are you in a very hot area and/or a very heavy sweater?
I do a lot of very long rides many in 90 degree + weather, and I do tend to perspire a bit. I don't doubt there are all sorts of personal factors that affect helmet wear, could even be the shapes of our heads, how careful we are when we're plopping them down, etc.
I think we're both getting at the same point--it's the visible wear on the helmet that tells you it's time to replace, not some formula of years owned or hours worn.