Helmet expiration dates

[needles]

Hey Barf people!

I have a hard to fit head at a three XL. I found a gorgeous AGV helmet and a 3X size that fits really well. It’s new, but the manufacturing date was December 2018. I’m guessing it’s been sitting in a warehouse at RevZilla sense.

I generally adhere to five years after date of manufacture on the expiration of a helmet but that’s Assuming I purchase it reasonably close to the date of manufacture.

What’s the collective wisdom here? How long would you hold onto it? I have not been able to find any other helmets in my size that are modular and the other manufacturers aren’t making that size at the current time.

Cheers,

Dan

 

[Shaggy]

How sure are you that 3XL is the correct size for you? That’s a REALLY big helmet. I’m 6’4”/240 with a 7 1/2 fitted hat and I wear a Large in most helmet manufacturers.

 

[HadesOmega]

I don't replace my helmet after they expire '

According to this website snell certifications expire 10 years after the sticker date. So Snell2015 expires Snell 2025
https://www.typhoonhelmets.com/arti...ook states,certified helmets will expire 2032.

I guess it doesn't matter what date of manufacture is depends on what sticker is on it.

From what I hear you should replace your helmet every 3-5 years...

 

[needles]

I’m pretty sure. My head circumference is 65 cm which is the 3X category.

[QUOTE by=Shaggy;10698468]How sure are you that 3XL is the correct size for you? That’s a REALLY big helmet. I’m 6’4”/240 with a 7 1/2 fitted hat and I wear a Large in most helmet manufacturers.[/QUOTE]

 

[afm199]

Unless you wear a lot hair oil, the foam interior will be fine at age three years, or five years.

 

[N4teTheGreat]

Properly stored in a climate controlled warehouse I suspect that helmet is fine, as others have said.

 

[bunnygoat]

I've been using a Quantum made in 2000.

 

[Circacee]

I'm a 2XL in AGV, they run a little weird.

I wouldn't sweat the 2018 date but I wouldn't pay NEW AGV prices. That being said, they crash well. I tossed myself and my $1,200 Winter Test AGV down the road at Buttonwillow last month. No head issues, only a broken wrist and bruised ego.

 

[Shaggy]

I’m pretty sure. My head circumference is 65 cm which is the 3X category.

:thumbup

Worth double checking. Incorrect helmet size is a very common issue. Helmets are supposed to be pretty snug on your melon.

I wouldn’t worry about a 2yo helmet for street riding. I’ve got helmets well past 10yo that I wear on the street. I’ve got a 2004 Arai Haga Aztec that I still get miles out of occasionally.

The only time I worry about manufacturer date is race events and my helmets that are out of certification get rotated into my street helmet collection.

 

[kuksul08]

it's fine

 

[budman]

I go 7 if stored indoors.

I agree on the it’s fine.

 

[Gabe]

I don't replace my helmet after they expire '

According to this website snell certifications expire 10 years after the sticker date. So Snell2015 expires Snell 2025
https://www.typhoonhelmets.com/arti...ook states,certified helmets will expire 2032.

I guess it doesn't matter what date of manufacture is depends on what sticker is on it.

From what I hear you should replace your helmet every 3-5 years...

I know you mean well and all due respect, but jeebus...new riders look to us for advice, so please fact-check what you post. WTF does "Snell certifications expire" even mean? It's not milk. DOT and Snell standards have changed little in terms of energy-absorption and basic safety in the last 50 years.

The important date is when you take the thing out of the box and put it on your head. From there, you should keep it clean and out of the sun and elements as much as you can, and honestly, it'll probably provide 95% the protection of a new helmet for the rest of your life.

How do I know this? I've seen lab results from 10 and even 20-year-old helmets.

Get it dirty, put it over your brake reservoir, leave it upside down in the sun, leave it next to an oxzone source, etc, and the EPS may start to break down inside 3 years or less. Styrofoam is kind of a bad thing because it doesn't break down fully for thousands of years. So buy that helmet and wear the f-k out of it.

 

[HadesOmega]

Hey I googled the info it's legit. If you are going to use it for racing they won't let you use it if it is expired. So If you are going to use that snell2015 helmet in 2026 to go drag racing they won't let you.

If the helmet doesn't look like it's falling apart I wear it, it can't be worse than not wearing it.

 

[Gary856]

I'm fine with a new helmet manufactured 2 years ago. Same for tires, in case you're wondering.

I've been using a Quantum made in 2000.

If the helmet doesn't look like it's falling apart I wear it, it can't be worse than not wearing it.

You two set the bar pretty low it's scraping the floor. :rolleyes :laughing

 

[matty]

The important date is when you take the thing out of the box and put it on your head. From there, you should keep it clean and out of the sun and elements as much as you can, and honestly, it'll probably provide 95% the protection of a new helmet for the rest of your life.

How do I know this? I've seen lab results from 10 and even 20-year-old helmets.

Wasn't there a post here (on BARF) about that, within the last couple of years? I believe it was a study of MTB helmets and it showed the EPS really doesn't degrade much over time only. I'll see if I can find it.

 

[Gabe]

Hey I googled the info it's legit. If you are going to use it for racing they won't let you use it if it is expired. So If you are going to use that snell2015 helmet in 2026 to go drag racing they won't let you.

If the helmet doesn't look like it's falling apart I wear it, it can't be worse than not wearing it.

You’re hilarious.

 

[matty]

I didn't find the BARF post, but found this:

https://www.helmets.org/up1505a.htm

and this abstract:

https://asmedigitalcollection.asme....aterial-Properties-of?redirectedFrom=fulltext

 

[Gabe]

I didn't find the BARF post, but found this:

https://www.helmets.org/up1505a.htm

and this abstract:

https://asmedigitalcollection.asme....aterial-Properties-of?redirectedFrom=fulltext

This is most excellent. Good job!

But--were these helmets in constant use? Or just stored in a closet or what? I'm curious about the effect of 10 years of daily or weekly wear.

 

[1962siia]

Didn't City Bike cry) do an article on this at some point? I remember donating some old helmets.

 

[Gabe]

Didn't City Bike cry) do an article on this at some point? I remember donating some old helmets.

Yes, that was my last issue I edited. We had Bell in Scots Valley test 20-30 helmets. They all performed like new ones.