Helmets are perishable. They look pretty rugged but after a few years they start to deteriorate. You wear them (hopefully) every time you ride and they get hot and sweaty. You might leave one in the trunk of your car where it’s baked by the sun, or maybe you’ve dropped your helmet on the barn floor.
Most of us know that you should replace your helmet if you’ve had a fall where you hit your head. But did you know that helmet manufacturers recommend that you replace your helmet at least every five years?
I have 3 helmets. I need to throw one away – I bought in summer of 2006. I’ve taken ~20 falls (none on my head) but most of the heavy damage came from long hours in the sun and tree branches on the trail at trot and canter speeds. Problem – Troxel changed their harness system after I bought them and I HATE their harness system. the only one that doesn’t have the harness system is their schooling cheapie for 30 bucks. So, in May I bought the schooling helmet, intending to throw away my other. But I couldn’t bear to, because it was still so comfy and I noticed that my schooling one, while comfy, rubbed the top of my ears after a couple hours in the saddle.
So last week I bought the new model Tipperary (the old models didn’t fit – thank goodness they came out with a new model!). It fits like a dream – but is heavier and hotter – but it’s still comfy. I SWEAR the old ’06 troxel is going in the trash! I’m still going to wear the cheapie schooling when I school in the arena – hopefully my Tip will last closer to the 5 years that way. I’m really hard on helmets.
Great post. It’s important to remind people to exchange their helmets regularly! This is one of those things that gets forgotten far too often. Thanks for the reminder!
That’s a very good point. Mine is only about 3 years old, but I’ll be sure to replace it in a couple years if not sooner. And I’ll be ready for a change in color by then too.