When to get a new helmet

[Mike7202]

All,
this is sort of a follow up to my "new hlemet for melonhead" post I know i should have probably asked this before but...
how often do you guys replace your helmets? My helmet is about 7 years old and i did have one minor accident with it.

[dutch rc]

I believe They say every 5 years.

[mr_noize2]

I do it about every three years. MSF recommends every 2 to 4 years, without any dropping or jarring. If you had a incident where the helmet slams something, you should replace.

[arizonawarrior]

Replace your helmet. Most insurance companies cover the price of replacement helmets after an accident. You have to read your policy or ask. I'm sure its too late for that in your case, but if I were in an accident with a 1-day old helmet I would replace it.

Other than that, we sorta decided after looking into it that in hot sunny climates where UV has more chance to do damage its probably good to replace even a perfect helmet before 5 years. We each have two helmets. In Arizona we got new ones every few years due to conditions. Here in Oregon where its more often cloudy and cool we stretched to 5 years on our full-face helmets, and to almost 7 years on the 3/4's helmets (no special reason). We replaced them when we started feeling uncomfortable. We think we will replace all of them at 5 years in the future. Who knows.

We are the kind of people who 'bag' our helmets in padded zipper cases. Plus we store them on a top shelf in a coat closet that we made double-deep for gear. Even after all these years we try our best to take care of them but sometimes they get damaged anyway and there's no choice but to replace 'em.

[shoban]

I'm kind of a helmet junkie - have seven in the garage right now, although I really only use the two newest. I generally get one every year or so, and retire one of the older ones.

[robriguez]

Since I commute in mine it gets kinda gross from sweat and road grime after a year or 2. Ive been staying with HJC which I can get for $100 or less. Wallet isnt big enough to replace $500+ helmets on a regular basis.

[BiggG]

2 years and mines are done !!!!

My melon sweats easy so beyond that they're too funky to wear.

[arizonawarrior]

The pads won't snap-out for washing?

[robriguez]

Originally Posted by arizonawarrior

The pads won't snap-out for washing?

My current CL-16 only the cheek and ear/side pads are removable i think. Previous versions were completely non removeable. But for around $100 and you replace them every 2 years anyway...