How Often Should You Replace a Riding Helmet?
Quick answer: replace your riding helmet after any fall where your head hit the ground or an obstacle, and in any case every three to five years from first use. Storage, sweat and sunlight can shorten that time.
Why helmets have a lifespan
The EPS foam inside a riding helmet absorbs energy by compressing. That only works once. After an impact the foam stays compressed, even if the shell looks undamaged. Over time UV light, heat, sweat and moisture also break down the shell, the foam and the straps.
Replace your helmet if
- you have had a fall where the helmet took a hit, even a light one
- the helmet has been dropped hard onto a hard surface
- you see cracks, dents or loose parts in the shell or the foam
- the straps, buckle or fit system are worn or no longer hold
- it is more than three to five years since you started using it
- it no longer fits snugly after adjusting
How to make your helmet last
- Store it cool and dry, not in a hot car or in direct sunlight.
- Let it dry after riding. Wash the inner liner according to the care instructions.
- Do not paint the shell or clean it with solvents.
- Transport it in a bag so it is not knocked around.
After a fall: our crash replacement program
We want you to replace a helmet after a fall, not keep riding in one that may be compromised. Through the YELM Crash Replacement Program you get a discount on a new Hybrid Helmet 2.0 after a documented crash.
Does MIPS change how often I should replace my helmet?
No. MIPS adds protection against rotational forces, but the helmet still relies on the foam to absorb linear impact. The same replacement rules apply. Read more in the complete guide to MIPS riding helmets.
Junior riders
Children grow out of helmets before they wear them out. The Hybrid Helmet 2.0 can be fitted with a junior inner liner, so the same helmet follows your child for longer. A helmet that has been in a fall is still replaced, whatever its age.
