When Should I Replace My Helmet?

Written by Mountain Horse

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September 20, 2021

Helmets can protect you from head injury if worn correctly and properly cared for. But did you know that you should replace your helmet even if there’s no sign of damage?

Just like when you replace the tires on your vehicle after so many miles to keep your vehicle safe, or you replace your pillows every few years due to loss of cushion, it is important to replace your riding helmet for safety reasons.

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When Should You Replace Your Helmet? 

One K recommends you replace your helmet every four to five-years from the time of purchase, at the absolute maximum. The timeline for replacement can be a lot shorter than this five-year period depending on the level of use, the climate, the amount of sun exposure, and if you’ve had any accidents while wearing the helmet. These can all affect the safety of the helmet over time. For those that have been involved in an accident, please visit our “Accident Replacement Policy”.

Helmet Degradation: Why the Timeline?

If you ride on a regular schedule, at least three times a day, you know how much laundry you go through in a week because of sweat and dirt on your clothes. But you can’t toss your helmet in the washer, so it accumulates hours, days, and years’ worth of sweat, hair oils, dust, and dirt on the inside.

The outside has taken a beating as well, from those rides in the pouring rain to scuffs from a slight drop from the tack box to the concrete floor. All of that combined can mean the material inside starts to break down, the protective coating on the outside loses its luster, and your helmet’s overall effectiveness at protection has decreased.

The manufacturers’ timeline is more of a guideline than an absolute. A helmet that is worn regularly will deteriorate faster than one used only an hour a week. A helmet kept in an air-conditioned storage place would be ideal, as it will be kept cool and dry, as opposed to one that is subject to harsh environmental exposure (such as extreme cold or heat).

Some chemical products can also shorten your helmet’s life. The use of insect repellents (especially those that contain DEET) as certain chemicals can compromise the look or construction of the helmet,  

Replacement After a Fall

The factors that could lead to an earlier demise of your helmet are what can ultimately lead to injury for you. If you’ve fallen off your horse while wearing your helmet, that impact (no matter how minor) can reduce your helmet’s level of protection.

Even instances such as dropping your helmet on a hard surface can cause the need to seek out a new helmet. Damage to the helmet is not always visible to the naked eye, and you might not see any signs of damage, so it’s never a safe assumption that your helmet is still in pristine shape after a fall, even if you don’t see any visible damage.

Dents or cracks in the Styrofoam are mostly covered by the helmet’s shell and are harder to see. If there is any damage noted on the shell (marks, cracks, or crushes) and damage to fasteners or straps, this indicates the need for replacement before your next ride. Most reputable brands, including One K, advise that after any catastrophic incident, you must replace your helmet. One K has a helmet replacement program for the benefit of our riders.

If you are wearing your One K helmet, and you’re in an accident within our set replacement period (three years after purchase), we urge you to return your helmet to us for a set replacement cost. Never ride in the same helmet you wore in an accident.

Tips to Extend Your Helmet Performance 

  • To ensure you can get as much use out of your helmet as possible, without any accidents involved, it’s important to take great care in the storage and use of your helmet on a daily basis.
  • Avoid storing your helmet in direct sunlight or extreme heat (158°F or higher), such as in your vehicle on a hot summer day, because the heat will cook and melt the polystyrene in your helmet.
  • Clean your helmet regularly, but only with products made specifically for helmet cleaning. Using cleaning agents such as dish soap and solvents can damage your helmet.
  • After a ride, allow your helmet to air dry before you store it in a case or trunk. Using a helmet bag will help protect the exterior from getting battered in transport or storage.

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