Ski helmets are designed to protect your head from a single impact, but they can last much longer if you take good care of them.
Helmets have made a huge difference in the number of head injuries sustained by skiers and snowboarders, but they’re not indestructible.
This article will help you understand how long your helmet should last and what factors influence its lifespan.
Ski Helmets are Designed to Protect
Ski helmets are designed to protect your head from a single impact. A helmet should be replaced every 3-5 years for safety reasons.
The lifespan of a ski helmet will depend on how often it’s used, what kind of terrain you’re skiing or snowboarding on and how well you take care of it.
If you’re looking for an indicator as to when it’s time to finally retire that old helmet, look for signs of wear like cracking or tearing where the buckle is attached at the back of the head; fraying fabric around vents; any kind of rips in padding (or if there’s none left); any cracks along plastic parts such as visors or face shields; and faded colors.
Helmets Consistently
Helmets consistently protect against traumatic brain injury.
A number of studies have shown that helmet use reduces the risk of traumatic brain injury.
One study found that wearing a bicycle helmet reduced the risk of head injury by up to 88%, and another found that wearing a ski helmet reduced the risk of skull fracture by up to 88%.
Similarly, studies have shown that wearing a football helmet reduces the risk of neck injury by up to 64%.
A Helmet’s Lifespan
How long your helmet lasts depends on how you use it, what features it has, and the environment where you ski.
In general, a decent winter helmet should last around five years. If you’re skiing in cold weather or are frequently in harsh environments, it might be necessary to replace your helmet more often than that.
How Long Should Helmets Be Replaced
A good rule of thumb is to replace your helmet every three to five years.
The reason for this is that, unlike a shirt or a pair of pants, which you can use for many years if well cared for, helmets are subjected to more wear and tear than other pieces of clothing.
A helmet should be replaced if it has been damaged in any way—including damage from falls or crashes—and/or if you have an accident in which you injure your head.
Once a helmet has been used during an accident and/or sustained damage from regular wear, its effectiveness as a protective device will be compromised.
If you’re unsure whether it’s time to get another helmet, talk with experts at local ski shops and stores like REI before making a purchase so they can help assess whether your current gear is still up-to-date with technology standards.
A Ski Helmet Should Be Replaced Every 3-5 years.
The lifespan of a ski helmet is dependent on the type of helmet and how you use it. Manufacturers typically recommend replacing your helmet every 3-5 years if it has not been in an accident, but it may be time to replace yours sooner because of the damage that can occur in a crash.
If your headgear was involved in a serious accident, consider getting rid of it immediately. A helmet can absorb most impacts while protecting your head, but they aren’t indestructible—and repeated impacts can cause permanent damage to its EPS foam structure.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that a ski helmet should be replaced every 3-5 years.
This may seem like a long time to some people, but it’s an important safety measure to take. Helmets are designed to protect your head from a single impact and they consistently do that job well.
However, if you have hit your head more than once then there’s no guarantee that the next one won’t cause damage either!
It also goes without saying that helmets should be kept clean at all times so as not get damaged in transit or storage which could lead them deteriorating faster than normal wear and tear would dictate