When do you replace your helmet?

I just replaced one because the paramedics cut my old one off last summer, so there’s that.

I replace them every 3-5 years, or after a crash in which the EPS is visually compressed (even if it is just a tiny bit).

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Any time the EPS is compromised I get a new one.  I really try to not hit my head these days so usually every 2 years or so I get a fresh one and keep the old one as a spare or mud race helmet.  

Whenever I wake up wearing it..

For me.... after a good hit... or when I see a new helmet I want... typically I want a new helmet every 1 to 2 yrs.... 

I’m in the market for a new one as well. My Leatt I bought a couple of years ago is a LOUD. 
 

Any recommendations?

If I have a good one I'll pull the liner and look for compression and toss it if there is anything.  Otherwise just after they are getting kinda ratted usually every couple years.  Just got this beauty for Christmas.

If nobody posted this I was going to

Cut the strap or the helmet? 

I'm a big fan of the 6D ATR2s. 

Always a personal preference of course... but I believe 6D has a solid design to better protect my head. Plus the ATR2's can be sent back to 6D to inspect after a big hit.  If the insides of the helmet have been damaged , they rebuild it for $250.  $250 is a lot better than spending another $700 for another new helmet.

I have always went by the rule of thumb the helmet is good for ONE hard hit… after you take one hard one replace it. Soft, scrapes etc your good but any major impact replace it… you only have one brain lol much cheaper to replace the helmet 

My alpinestar SM-8 has taken a couple decent hits and damn it has done such a great job. I’ve had it for about 9 months, I’ll probably replace is after 2-3 years or if I take a BIG hit or I feel it’s not doing it’s job as well.

I didn’t mean to post the weird squid emoji above but I accident hit it somehow and couldn’t figure out how to delete it LOL

After any semi hard hit. On a side note, not sure your age but it's probable your head grew . Unfortunately ( ask me how I know, I'm 48 ) men's heads expand when they get older. I call it Elvis head. Lol

Any hard impact, it needs to be replaced or inspected if the manufacturer offers it.

I loved that idea too but in reality it's not that simple. Be warned if you have a decent wreck and compress any of the outer foam they cut the straps off and send it back stating it can't be repaired and is unsafe. 3 for 3 in my group have had this happen. $700 dollar helmet in the trash.

Bad wreck - 6D will cut straps and require new helmet. No different than having to replace a traditional helmet

Small tip over - 6D will repair for $250. A traditional helmet most people wouldn't think it needed repairs or replacement. 

I do believe the 6D is a great helmet and one of the safest available. But don't let the rebuild program entice you to much.

 Me too!   my current lid is an Arai PRO 2 or 3/ that my Sons (30+ & 40+ yrs old) gave me for Christmas a few years ago....nice. I found out a bit later that they deemed it very important after we loaded up our bikes from any normal trail rides together as they were then drifting further away from me in their lives/wives/ and kids  and found as I was shooting the shit with them after said rides unaware of the scars across my face from branches and tank slapping from side to side of our recent trail ride WFO in front of them. Now I will buy an open face helmet for 2023 and hope I can find a current Scott or Smith under goggle face mask...or not.

After each race 😎

3-5 or hard hit, and buy a junk helmet if you got a junk head. 

They rebuilt mine. They told me it can be rebuilt unless the outer shell is damaged. $172 made mine safe again. 

6D makes the best helmets right now hands down 

i usually keep mine for 5 or so years unless i see a new design I just have to have or a crash makes it non rebuildable  

Good 👍, glad it worked for you.  It would be interesting to see the percentage of helmets they rebuild vs deem unsafe.  The experience of my riding buddies made me think twice about a 6D and ultimately I went with a Fly Formula. 

I firmly believe 6D make one of the safest helmets available. I'm not disputing that at all. Just want to make people aware, no guarantees they will rebuild if you have a bad wreck. 

I try and maximize time - 5 years from manufacturing date. Or if the styrofoam has been crushed.

I wish there was a way to tell if the styrofoam has deteriorated from time. My understanding is that light is what damages it, along with hot temperature. I might extend the time if I believe the styrofoam has not deteriorated.

As for new helmets, I'm not buying anything without the ECE 22.06 certification, explicitly stating 22.06. That's the only low-speed impact test certification. Most helmets still don't have it.

Every 2 years assuming i dont completely knock myself out in one

I run 2 helmets - 1 for racing and the other for practise / as a backup. I usually get a new race helmet every 2 years and my current race helmet becomes my spare. If I hit the deck hard enough then I replace whatever helmet I was wearing at the time.

I remember reading that usage comes into consideration as well - heavy use requires more frequent replacement as sweat and washing of helmets can break them down quicker.

It’s what works for me.

whenever i feel like it

The strap.

I mean, isn't that the point of sending it back to them? Why would you get upset if they deemed it unsafe to rebuild, then did not rebuild it?