Advocacy & Safety - Helmet Lifespan

How often are cycling helmets ment to be replaced? I know Rock Climbing helmets are ment to be replaced every 5 years or after a major impact. But climbing helmets have a hard shell and can take multiple rock-fall impacts before disintegrating unlike bikes helmets which are a disposible one hit wonder affair...

DanielB

I think five years is a reasonable assumption assuming no impacts. I know that in October 2001 a three year old helmet did the job for me in a 40km/h crash (hence the fact I'm here typing this right now). Mind you, if you see any cracks forming in the helmet, replace it immediately.

I usually end up replacing a helmet every 18 months on average mainly due to crashing... and usually when mountain biking. I have not yet had to replace a helmet due to old age. But if I had my way (read: no crashes bad enough to necessitate replacing a helmet) then I would probably replace it every three to four years anyways because of age-related material breakdown (chemical and physical), random wear and tear and the fact that newer and lighter helmets with better cooling and other snazzy features come out periodically. All in all, even an expensive helmet (> US$100) amortised over four years is not a bad investment for cranial protection.

Helmets will last 10 years or more if in good condition. The wear and tear on the straps, cushions and aesthetic appeal could shorten that by many years.

This is from Giro's website.


HOW OFTEN SHOULD A HELMET BE REPLACED?
Giro has a general recommendation of replacing your helmet every three (3) years. If you are unsure of the condition of your helmet, or whether it should be replaced, call us at (800) 456-2355 or e-mail us at feedback@giro.com for information.

That's about how often I replace mine, except if it gets damaged in a crash or butterfingers drops in on the road. :eek: :crash:

Originally posted by RonH
This is from Giro's website.


HOW OFTEN SHOULD A HELMET BE REPLACED?
Giro has a general recommendation of replacing your helmet every three (3) years. If you are unsure of the condition of your helmet, or whether it should be replaced, call us at (800) 456-2355 or e-mail us at feedback@giro.com for information.


But then again .... I guess a helmet manufacturer would want you to change your helmet reasonably frequently.:D

But then again .... I guess a helmet manufacturer would want you to change your helmet reasonably frequently.:D

Isn't that the truth. :(

From BHSI

Most manufacturers now recommend that helmets be replaced after five years, but some of that may be just marketing...Somebody is spreading rumors that sweat and Ultraviolet exposure will cause your helmet to degrade. Sweat will not do that...Your helmet will get a terminal case of grunge before it dies of sweat. UV can affect the strength of the shell material, though. Manufacturers put UV inhibitors in the plastic for their shells that control UV degradation... At least one shop told a customer that the EPS in his three year old helmet was now "dried out." That is highly unlikely, unless the EPS is placed in an oven for some period of time and baked. The interior of your car, for example, will not do that, based on helmets we have seen and at least one lab crash test of a helmet always kept in a car in Virginia over many summers. EPS is a long-lived material little affected by normal environmental factors. Unless you mistreat it we would not expect it to "dry out" enough to alter its performance for many years.

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.