How long does a helmet last?

[silversurfer]

Hi. Does anyone know what the lifespan of a helmet is? I've just dug out a couple of old ones (5-6 years) and I'm wondering if I should throw them out even though they've never been dropped or seen impact. I've heard that the foam degrades over time but I'm not sure how much of that is marketing. Seems such a waste to just bin them.

[shootingstar]

I would wear and keep it for up to 10 yrs.

A helmet isn't 100% guarantee to protect you from high impact injury. So I factor that...and not get obsessed if the plastic will degrade so much that over the years.

Yes, I think some of it is marketing hype. Of course, it depends how often you wear it and how much you sweat, etc.

Look at this way, talk to cyclists who refuse to wear a helmet. That's my comparison vs. a 10 yr. old helmet that hasn't been dropped hard, etc.

[OakLeaf]

BHSI and Snell both say five years. That's a recommendation that's been in place since long before the current lightweight helmets. So, three years vs. five might be marketing, or it might be based on the fact that newer helmets have so much more surface area and places to degrade, and so much less protective material. But five years is what the safety organizations say and that would be my outer limit. Isn't the possibility of avoiding traumatic brain injury worth $40 or $60 to you? Or even $300 if you want a top of the line helmet?

[pll]

We have discussed that very question before (see the previous thread here). Manufacturer recommendations range from 3-4 years to 8 years (MET, cited in the linked older thread by goldfinch). At the time, I asked a materials science prof about the longevity of EPS and helmets, in particular. He said EPS does not degrade over time. Given that, other considerations factor in: EPS may not degrade, but the padding and straps may look ratty, you may prefer a different style, etc.

[shootingstar]

I seriously wonder if material degradation depends also how often it is worn anyway and exposed to the elements day after day.

I see my helmet as protection or reducing abit of risk for low-medium impact injuries.

For the past few months, I've responding to blog posts on other blogs, on defending the usefulness of wearing a helmet ...with really anti-helmet cyclists. I'm actually tired of hearing their arguments.

So I see my position as incredibly minor (wearing a helmet that has never been cracked but a bit older than 5 yrs.) vs. theirs...refusing to wear a helmet.

[silversurfer]

Ah, sorry, missed the other thread which I'll go and read. Thanks for your replies. I actually wear a helmet that is only a year old but was loathe to throw these away which I found while doing a bit of a clear out.

[pll]

I guess my question about those helmets would be if you are 100% sure they have not been hit or bumped at all? If in doubt, I'd err on the safe side and discard them.

I am very gentle with my helmet and it has it's own "reserved" spot on a high shelf, check it periodically for wear. EPS might not degrade significantly if left alone, but the straps might rubbing and wearing the material down.