helmit ?

[Brandi]

I'm not really the dissenting vote here.
But...
I would say - it depends...
What happened to make you lose your visor (perhaps others know the backstory that I don't)? There's not enough information here.
Did you do a face plant, in which your helmet contacted the ground and the visor popped off? Did you hit a tree or some overhang that ripped it off?
If the helmet didn't suffer a blow, and it's only the plastic decorative covering over it that is cracked because of the visor ripping off, then probably the protective shock-absorbing foam is likely not compromised and the helmet is fine....if just a little beat-up looking.
That being said.....
When it comes to the head....I would probably say...when it doubt, better to err on the side of safe, rather than sorry. Sure, the helmet is *probably* fine...but why risk it? If you are more comfortable with a new helmet....then get one.

I wish my story about my helmit was a thrilling as the one's you wrote but they are not.
I am not sure what happend to my visor. It is just lost some where between Durango and Moab. Maybe someone will come across and say "hey I really need one of these"!
As far as my plastic on my helmit being cracked that happend during shipping. We decided to throw it in with my bike. So some where it got munched. It is about 4 years old now and it is all faded and what not. The sun might have made it a bit more brittle.
But thanks to all of you who put your Two cents in I have convinced my dh it would be best to replace it. So today I am off to the lbs (cambria bikes, they have a great website) to try on new helmits. And even better they are having a sale. My husbands helmit is as old as mine so I am going to get him one for he's birthday. I measured our heads yesterday so that will help. Thank you all for your help and my head thanks you too!

[Kimmyt]

We have a saying in climbing regarding when to replace live-saving protective gear:

"When in doubt, throw it out"

If you suffered an impact on your head wearing the helmet, you don't know what the condition of the foam under your plastic outer area of the helmet looks like. It may not be cracked on the outside, but maybe there is a fracture on the inside that you can't see.

[Brandi]

We have a saying in climbing regarding when to replace live-saving protective gear:

"When in doubt, throw it out"

If you suffered an impact on your head wearing the helmet, you don't know what the condition of the foam under your plastic outer area of the helmet looks like. It may not be cracked on the outside, but maybe there is a fracture on the inside that you can't see.

True! and since I don't know what happend to it while it was being shipped....why risk it!

[roadie gal]

My understanding is also that the plastic and the styrofoam have a shelf life and start to get brittle on their own sometimes depending on sun exposure, etc. If it's starting to separate, it's time to go.

I also work in an ER where we see LOTS of head injuries. I am a certified preacher on the gospel of the helmet - biking, downhill skiing, whatever. It truly makes a HUGE difference.

[Brandi]

ok I got a new helmit! And ordered a new one for my dh for he's birthday! I got a giro skyla.Which was my first ever dogs name! And it is so pretty! My last helmit was boring. This one has japanese green flowers on it. I have never been so excited about a helmit. But I didn't get to wear it today cause had a injection in my foot and the dr told me stay off it till tomorrow.

[Aint Doody]

Good for you! That's great.....

[KnottedYet]

All right!