Helmet Shelf Life?
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 492
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From: Castle Rock, CO
I thought about having my wife try it first to see if it was still ok - kinda like milk in the fridge. <BSEG>
I can easily see replacing in 5 given how many times the average helmet gets knocked, even when we're taking care of them, but on the shelf, I dunno.
I was just wondering if the hard foam would be breaking down on its own, mostly.
I can easily see replacing in 5 given how many times the average helmet gets knocked, even when we're taking care of them, but on the shelf, I dunno.
I was just wondering if the hard foam would be breaking down on its own, mostly.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Prescott, AZ
LOL >>>> good come back..... I have been in Ca most of my life and now a retired Firefighter - Love the weather here in my area, but this is one screwed up state, in so many ways...
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Sulphur, LA
I don't think it has anything to do with a shelf life. I think it's 5 yrs from the date of purchase because they figure your going to use it. It will be in the sun, rain and such. It will be kicked around, dropped although they do say replace it immediately if you drop it. But sitting in a plastic bag, in a box in a climate controlled atmosphere I don't see how that could possibly deteriorate. Its a money maker and a law suit breaker to say replace it every 5 years.
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
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From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
The plastics we used at work, if stored in the dark (left in box & out of direct sunlight) and room temp it lasted a lot longer...
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
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From: Austin, TX - Some call it heaven.
Seems like a basic question, butI didn't know the answer so I decided to research it.
There are lots of opinions out there, and many manufactures say to replace it after 5 years, citing material breakdown, glue degradation, etc. But there is very little evidence to back up those suggestions.
I did find one study on hockey helmets. Of course their construction is different, but both helmets involve plastic, glue and some sort of liner. This study tested helmets in year zero, two and six. The result: no substantial change in impact attenuation was observed. They did note glue disintegration had caused some of the linings to shift and fall away from the shell.
So I guess I still don't know. My helmet is 4 years old, and looks kinda funky inside. I've been looking for another one, but haven't found one I like locally. I'm reluctant to buy online because fit is so critical, so I'm still looking.
There are lots of opinions out there, and many manufactures say to replace it after 5 years, citing material breakdown, glue degradation, etc. But there is very little evidence to back up those suggestions.
I did find one study on hockey helmets. Of course their construction is different, but both helmets involve plastic, glue and some sort of liner. This study tested helmets in year zero, two and six. The result: no substantial change in impact attenuation was observed. They did note glue disintegration had caused some of the linings to shift and fall away from the shell.
So I guess I still don't know. My helmet is 4 years old, and looks kinda funky inside. I've been looking for another one, but haven't found one I like locally. I'm reluctant to buy online because fit is so critical, so I'm still looking.