Helmets can protect you from head injury if worn correctly and properly cared for. But did you know that you should replace your helmet even if there’s no sign of damage?
Just like you replace the tires on your vehicle after so many miles to keep your vehicle safe. You replace your pillows every few years due to loss of cushion. It is important to replace your riding helmet for safety reasons.
When Should You Replace Your Helmet?
Just as with your mattress, a date is printed on the tag for your riding helmet. It’s not just there for posterity’s sake, but so you know the manufacture date of that particular helmet. Because of this date, there’s no need to keep your receipt so you know when you purchased it. But, if by chance you don’t even remember when or where you purchased your helmet, and the date on the tag of your helmet is faded, then it’s probably time to get fitted for a new One K helmet.
Helmet manufacturers, including One K, generally recommend you replace your helmets every four to five years, at the absolute maximum. The timeline for replacement can be a lot shorter than this five-year period depending on the level of use, the climate, the amount of sun exposure, and if you’ve had any accidents while wearing the helmet. These can all affect the safety of the helmet over time.
This means you shouldn’t be comfortable wearing your old helmet just because it’s “broken in”. Just as with a mattress or pillow that is past its prime, so is your helmet.
Helmet Degradation: Why the Timeline?
If you ride on a regular schedule, at least three times a day, you know how much laundry you go through in a week because of sweat and dirt on your clothes. But you can’t toss your helmet in the washer, so it accumulates hours, days, and years’ worth of sweat, hair oils, dust, and dirt on the inside.
The outside has also taken a beating, from those rides in the pouring rain to scuffs from a slight drop from the tack box to the concrete floor. All of that combined can mean the material inside starts to break down. The protective coating on the outside loses its luster, and your helmet’s overall effectiveness at protection has decreased.
The manufacturers’ timeline is more of a guideline than an absolute. A regularly worn helmet will deteriorate faster than one used only an hour a week. A helmet kept in an air-conditioned storage place would be ideal. It should be kept cool and dry rather than subject to harsh environmental exposure (such as extreme cold or heat).
Some chemical products can also shorten your helmet’s life. The use of insect repellents (especially those that contain DEET) can compromise the look or construction of the helmet.
Replacement After a Fall
The factors that could lead to an earlier demise of your helmet are what can ultimately lead to injury for you. If you’ve fallen off your horse while wearing your helmet, that impact (no matter how minor) can reduce your helmet’s level of protection.
Even instances such as dropping your helmet on a hard surface can cause the need to seek out a new helmet. Damage to the helmet is not always visible to the naked eye and you might not see any signs of damage, so it’s never a safe assumption that your helmet is still in pristine shape after a fall even if you don’t see any visible damage.
Dents or cracks in the Styrofoam are mostly covered by the helmet’s shell and harder to see. Any damage noted on the shell (marks, cracks, or crushes) and damage to fasteners or straps indicates the need for replacement before your next ride. Most reputable brands, including One K, advise that you must replace your helmet after any catastrophic incident. One K has a helmet replacement program for the benefit of our riders.
If you are wearing your One K helmet, and you’re in an accident within our set replacement period (three years after purchase), we urge you to return your helmet to us for a set replacement cost. Never ride in the same helmet you wore in an accident.
Tips to Extend Your Helmet Performance
- To ensure you can get as much use out of your helmet as possible, without any accidents involved, it’s important to take great care in the storage and use of your helmet on a daily basis.
- Avoid storing your helmet in direct sunlight or extreme heat (158°F or higher), such as in your vehicle on a hot summer day, because the heat will cook and melt the polystyrene in your helmet.
- Clean your helmet regularly, but only with products made specifically for helmet cleaning. Using cleaning agents such as dish soap and solvents can damage your helmet.
- After a ride, allow your helmet to air dry before you store it in a case or trunk. Using a helmet bag will help protect the exterior from getting battered in transport or storage.
Shop Now
You can shop One K Helmets available at FarmVet HERE. Or, shop all our products at FarmVet.com 24/7. You can also call one of our friendly Sales Associates at 1-888-837-3626 or email your order to [email protected].
Learn More
Safety is a priority for all equestrians and their horses. Be prepared for any incidents with your horse by keeping a fully stocked med box. Read our blog on what to keep stocked HERE.
This blog was contributed by the team at One K Helmets to share information on their helmets and safety.