Nachoman

I’ve had the same helmet for about five years, never crashed it and never mistreated it, but it’s been used frequently and exposed to about 15 to 20 thousand miles of outdoor use, including of course blazing heat and sunshine.

In other words, I’m wondering if helmets deteriorate or weaken over time?

And how long have you had YOUR helmet?

pabuck

Auto racing and motorcycle helmets have date stamps in five-year intervals. I'd buy a new helmet if I were you.

My mental cobwebs seem to recall something about a two-year lifespan for bike helmets.

tubescreamerx

I've heard three years is about when you should replace a helmet even if it hasn't touched the ground.

rufvelo

3-5 years tops, then whatever you're wearing just looks outdated and sh*tty regardless of expiry dates

Farby

yes you need a new helmet.

AngryScientist 

yea, i would treat yourself to a new helmet. i just bought a new helmet too after several years with the same one and i was pleasantly surprised that the lower cost models from bell and giro are actually very nice. i think they all protect your dome to the same standard, so find one that is comfortable and in your price range and go. afterall, whatever it costs, its cheap insurance compared to the possible consequence.

WhyFi

Co-worker of mine was riding with a helmet that no longer had the plastic exterior, leaving only the foam core. I had to explain what would happen as soon as his melon touched down. He really needed a new helmet.

baj32161

Agreed...and mine looked sh*tty when I got it new.

v70cat

I like think this helmet fits well and is cheap

Schwinn Intercept Adult Helmet $16.95

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Schwinn-In...Helmet/5741054

Reynolds 

My helmet feels and looks exactly the same as when I got it 3 years ago. Why should I replace it?

DXchulo

Your instruction manual should suggest how often to replace your helmet.

If you even have to ask, why risk it? Isn't your head worth $100 or so?

DXchulo

https://www.giro.com/en-us/support/faqs/

Giro suggests a replacement every 3 years, for example.

jfmckenna

Yeah I'm sure the bike helmet companies would like you to think that you need a new one LOL.

Hot Potato

From https://www.helmets.org/replace.htm



Summary:

• Did you crash it? Replace!
• Did you drop it hard enough to crack the foam? Replace.
• Is it from the 1970's? Replace.
• Is the outside just foam or cloth instead of plastic? Replace.
• Does it lack a CPSC, ASTM or Snell sticker? Replace.
• Can you not adjust it to fit correctly? Replace!!
• Do you hate it? Replace.

Reynolds 

So I don't have to replace it, according to them.

Hot Potato

Correct. Replace it when it is damaged, or technology makes a new product superior. Also, just dropping the helmet isn't likely to ruin it. There is a big difference between dropping a helmet, and a helmet striking the ground with a head inside it.

From the same weblink:

An honest manufacturer: MET

The Italian company MET says in their 2010 catalog:

"We are often asked 'For how long is a helmet safe?', or 'how often should I replace my helmet?”' Until now it has been difficult to find any reliable figures to help answer these queries. MET have now developed a series of tests which are conducted on aged helmets to determine a 'best before' date (unless the helmet is involved in an accident. In that case it should be replaced immediately.). The results indicate that, if used properly accordingly to our owner manual, our helmets will still do their job up to eight years after they have been made. Not only is that good news for the customer, it’s great news for the environment!"
We applaud MET for undertaking an actual testing program on helmet life and for making that statement. We regard it as a triumph of integrity over marketing. MET's helmets are made with industry standard shells and liners, so there is no reason we can see that their recommendation should not be good for many other helmet brands as well. If another manufacturer comes up with a testing program that shows earlier deterioration in the protection from their products we will review this page. In sum, we don't find the case for replacing a helmet that meets the ASTM or Snell standards that compelling if the helmet is still in good shape and fits you well.

DXchulo

That's fine. Just don't go crying to the company if the helmet fails a year after they told you to replace it.

zerocool33

5 year old helmet = Gangsta

Metzinger

I love this. That helmet must be exhausted.

RiPHRaPH

Your helmet is your insurance policy. You wouldn't cancel your homeowners policy 'cause you haven't had a fire in 5 years?!

What is your brain worth?

I've split a helmet once. I shutter to think I would me cutting corners on that piece of equipment.

coasting 

i love this. you people are the snake oil salesmen's dream market.

change your car every year. what is your safety worth?
replace your tyres every time you puncture. hey..it's a safety issue.
the padding in my shorts is a bit thin..i need new shorts. i might get erectile dysfunction. what's your willy worth?

merlinextraligh

I pretty much agree with MET's analysis. However after a number of years being thrown into trunks, dropped occassionally, wheels tossed on top of it, etc. you would have to wonder whether some of the impact absorbing capacity has been lost.


In my experience, after 5 years or so, my helmet is getting worn out (such as fabric liner coming off of pads, plastic straps not wanting to stay snapped in, etc.) and nasty enough for me to justify buying the neatest newest helmet I want.

gettingold

I'll bet that looked good also.

NickDavid

Your helmet is fine.

BTW, I have some ketchup popsicles for sale.

merlinextraligh

My bet is that it was a Soft Shell helmet from the 80's. Those helmets never had an outer shell, and just used a lycra cover. They quit making them because there was some concern that the lycra grabbed on the pavement, torquing the rider's neck in a fall.