Helmet matters...

[OakLeaf]

this is going off topic a bit, but would anyone here know if the same principle of replacing helmets regularly applies to snowsport helmets? Mine's getting to be around 5 years old, but has only probably been worn about 20 times. No impacts, but has been exposed to my sweat and oil.

Anything with an EPS liner is the same general idea. Snell recommends 5 years for all of them.

[moderncyclista]

Dude. A helmet has saved my life - twice. Once another rider cliped me in a group ride and I went down hard - hit my helmeted head. Replacement#1. Second time - A part of my bike broke - in traffic - I went down hard with a car behind me. Luckily they weren't impatient. Replacement #2. I cannot stress the importance of them enough. After, my second wreck though I woke up in a jolt reliving that one. My partner, thought it was so sad in my half asleep state I said, "I fell again. It hurts." Be careful out there, ladies.

[Catrin]

Bumping this thread for a related question.

I noticed today that my favorite helmet has dings and scrapes on the outside of it - primarily on the back and the styrofoam on the side. I haven't hit my head, but sometimes it falls in the apartment, or off of my trunk.

At what point is it too much and it needs replacement? There doesn't seem to be a single opinion on this - and perhaps the fact that I am asking the question answers it for me. Curious to hear what others have to say on this.

[KnottedYet]

A fall is an impact.

Whether or not your brain is inside the helmet at the time.

Dropping it from car height onto asphalt multiple times is probably not a good thing. Dropping it onto carpet in an apartment probably isn't bad. Get in the habit of keeping the helmet in stable places, don't leave it on top of your car, don't fling it around. If it helps, buy a little basket and place it on a shelf indoors for storing your helmet, and travel with it in the backseat of your car rather than rattling around in the trunk.

[Melalvai]

I have troubles with dropping it too, and I'm trying to be better about that, like she said setting it down in stable places. On the floor instead of the trunk of the car.

Check the inside for visible fractures. However there can be invisible fractures. But if there are visible ones you know for sure it needs replaced.