I feel like it's where helmet companies make their money, since (thankfully) the majority of users aren't cracking their helmets during use once a year---but the little sweat pads in the helmet just die after a year's worth of use. I wear my helmet all year long for commuting (and every other time), sometimes with a hat underneath for warmth, but mostly just on my hairy head. And yes, i sweat.

Once they're dead, underneath is sometimes cheap velcro-like strips, or nothing at all (the pads were glued in). I've attempted to use pieces of fabric laying around: a recycled head sweatband, some pieces of old t-shirt---they all extend life for about one or two months before dying themselves (by dying, i mean the fabric falls apart, threads come un-knit, the fabric just gets unacceptably nasty).

So, what do you do to prolong helmet life? (If you don't wear a helmet, don't bother answering.) Is there someplace with acceptable OEM-ish helmet replacement pads? Do you just suck it up and buy another helmet?! Help me find the solution!

rarely wearing mine has kept them pretty good condition!

A cycling cap or skull cap is your friend...let them absorb the majority of your sweat rather than those in the helmet.

You can contact the manufacturer with this complaint and maybe they'll send you new pads.
Also, you should probably rinse your pads once a while so they'll last longer. Just carefully remove them from the Velcro and rinse.

Take them out and run them through the wash in one of those mesh bags.

New pads.

$6.00

Look online if the LBS says no way.

Bandannas are cheap and keeps the sweat off the pads and eyes.

I took them off and washed them in straight spic-n-span. Brown slime washed out, it was time to clean them. Put them back in with the velcro.

For my Bell, I just call/email and ask how I can purchase new pads, and they send out a set for free.

Yup, recently got another replacement set of pads for my Bell Biker. After 34 years it has been through a few sets of pads.

i do wear cycling cap beneath, when it's not too warm to wear one; maybe it helps some, but it's hard to say. i'll have to check with getting replacement pads; when i was back in mid-NY my two LBSs had no clue about pads (probably because they detected a potential helmet sale). But the LBSs around here (Eugene, OR) have been pretty good so far, so i'll hit them up to see what they can do. I also like the idea of contacting the manufacturer... guess i was too busy wiping sweat from my eyes to have thought of that before :doh:

A helmet has a finite life that is a lot less than 34 years. The capability of the helmet to absorb shock may be seriously compromised.

I wouldn't even use a helmet that has been sitting on shelf that long.

Paul

I don't think the structural integrity is at risk, but I would still be concerned since the technology to make that helmet would make it unsuitable (even when new).

Don't know if anyone has tried it with one as old as mine, but there was a test long ago of a well-used (and yellowed from sun exposure) Bell Biker that was about 15 years old. It passed the tests without any problem and performed the same as that model did when originally tested for certification. I have no reason to suspect that mine would do any worse. Polystyrene foams and the Lexan of the shell are both very stable materials.

I do also have a newer helmet (for the lighter weight), but I'd actually trust the protection of the old Biker somewhat more - not that I think any regular bicycle helmet offers much protection.

I use a thin cotton terry cloth material attached with Velcro for the front forehead area. I think I used to cut up a cheap washcloth, but now I use the one for hard hats. I just throw it in the wash and dispose of it when old. I normally have some spares of the foam padding for the rest of the helmet.

I've been wearing a Headsweats skull caps year-round the last couple of years. I try to shampoo weekly, too. My Bell Biker is holding up well, too. Or, is it the Bell Metro that I've been wearing?

I'll have to give that a try. I usually handwash mine when they're getting especially nasty, but they won't last forever. I have a sweatband I wear underneath, but only when it's very hot and a skullcap I can only wear when it's very cold or I get overheated.

Those pads that prevent chairs from wrecking floors work well. Also you can get sticky back cork pads that work OK.

I am totally sold on bandanas. I'm working on a collection of them. I'm completely bald and the pads against my skin are somewhat uncomfortable. The bandana also prevents me from getting sunburned through the vents in my helmet!

Buy a Bell, call yearly for new pads has worked for me.

I just take mine out of the helmet when I notice them starting to smell, hand wash them in the sink, and lay them out to air-dry overnight. I did my first winter commute this year and I did notice that my winter skullcap seemed to absorb all the sweat (and smell) leaving my pads in great condition. I may just buy a lightweight skullcap or some bandanas for the warm weather as my winter one is wash and wear - very convenient.

Most of the year I can rely on the rain to keep my helmet pads well-rinsed. Once in a while we'll get several weeks in a row without significant rain, then I'll wash my helmet in the shower after work.

The other thing is to avoid getting chemicals on the pads, the foam can be broken down by things like sunscreen, insect repellent, hair conditioner, etc.