Time for a new helmet?

[CRASH]

Lasting "forever" in a land fill and losing strength, integrity and protective properties are not the same thing. Look at a piece of styrofoam that has been sitting around for 5 years - regardless of the environment - and compare it to a new piece. You can visually see the difference. Pick it up and it WILL be more brittle.

I have always been told at least every 5 years for a variety of material reasons. The MSF says every 2 to 4. They also make this statement.

" Its protective qualities may deteriorate with time and
wear. The chin strap may fray or loosen at its attaching points; the
shell could be chipped or damaged. The best reason is that helmets
keep improving. Chances are that the helmet you buy in a couple of
years will be better – stronger, lighter, and more comfortable – than
the one you own now. It might even cost less!"

[JBrack]

Originally Posted by CRASH

Lasting "forever" in a land fill and losing strength, integrity and protective properties are not the same thing. Look at a piece of styrofoam that has been sitting around for 5 years - regardless of the environment - and compare it to a new piece. You can visually see the difference. Pick it up and it WILL be more brittle.

I have always been told at least every 5 years for a variety of material reasons. The MSF says every 2 to 4. They also make this statement.

" Its protective qualities may deteriorate with time and
wear. The chin strap may fray or loosen at its attaching points; the
shell could be chipped or damaged. The best reason is that helmets
keep improving. Chances are that the helmet you buy in a couple of
years will be better – stronger, lighter, and more comfortable – than
the one you own now. It might even cost less!"

I agree with everything MSF says except the part about maybe costing less

[CRASH]

Originally Posted by JBrack

I agree with everything MSF says except the part about maybe costing less

I have worn out many straps in my riding days. Have "field tested" a few. Gotten tired of a few. Dropped a couple that got hairline fractures (which to me means I kept it too long).

I have an old Shoei helmet from my racing days that is 30+ years old and the styrofoam in that is a complete mess. (and the liner has just completely fallen apart). An extreme example for certain.

Of the shelf full of helmets I have, I have a helmet that I simple love how it fits and feels. It is maybe 3 years old now and I have to start thinking what to replace it with. Odds are if I could find a new version of the same helmet it may well be cheaper, but I am not counting on it. And I am not going to by something that has been on a shelf for 4 years, defeats the purpose.

[FishWitch]

Call the manufacture of your helmet. See what they say. You may get a free helmet out of it.

How much do you value your brain?