How long does a helmet last?

[pll]

I found the following article:
http://www.bicycling.com/beginners/b...sh-your-bonnet

This recommendation makes me wonder:

Never dry your helmet in the clothes dryer with your skivvies or in the microwave with your lunch-it'll severely weaken the shell and bonding materials.

*Who* would think of putting a helmet in the clothes drier, to spin and get knocked around!? And *who* would put one in the microwave!?

I don't even use any soap on it... a moist towel is enough to clean any dirt.

[limewave]

Oh man, I am way overdo for a new a helmet and so is DH! I think our helmets are over 10 years old each.

Looks like my list of needed cycling gear is growing . . .

[Bethany1]

If you you take a really good spill with your helmet, I heard it crack, should you replace it?

I can see keeping one for as long as a few years or so, but I'm wondering if mine is a goner.

[pll]

If you you take a really good spill with your helmet, I heard it crack, should you replace it?

I can see keeping one for as long as a few years or so, but I'm wondering if mine is a goner.

Yes! Please get a new one. The old one has done its job, to protect your head. Only one crash allowed.

[Owlie]

If you you take a really good spill with your helmet, I heard it crack, should you replace it?

I can see keeping one for as long as a few years or so, but I'm wondering if mine is a goner.

I think the rule is that if you crash it, you should replace it, even if you didn't hear it crack. The fact that you heard it crack means that it's a goner. Please get a new one!

[nuliajuk]

I've always been told (in bike shops) to replace a helmet every five years. However, when I contacted Louis Garneau to ask about a seven year old L.G. helmet, they told me it should be fine. So, don't know what the answer is. Probably at least every 10 years.
I was riding with my sister through a park once, when she skidded out on some mud and cracked her helmet. By pure coincidence, there was a walkathon going on for a brain injury research charity in the same park on the same day. On the way back, she handed them her helmet to use for publicity purposes.

[ny biker]

Oh man, I am way overdo for a new a helmet and so is DH! I think our helmets are over 10 years old each.

Looks like my list of needed cycling gear is growing . . .

Always growing. Never shrinking. This is the real reason they always greet me with a smile at the LBS.

I think my helmets are in good shape but they're at least 6 years old so I just added "helmet" to my shopping list for May.