When Should Your Replace Your Ski & Snowboard Helmet

Your helmet is one of the most important pieces of gear you wear on the mountain. It helps protect your head, regulates your warmth, even plays music and helps you communicate with your friends on the slopes. You may have had your helmet so long that it feels like an old friend you pull out winter after winter, but even if you take great care of it and don’t get into any accidents, over time, materials break down, and the protection it offers can be compromised. So, how do you know it's time to say goodbye and get a new helmet? 

Should You Replace Your Ski & Snowboard Helmet After a Crash? 

After a crash or impact, you should replace your helmet. Even if it looks ok after a crash, absorbing an impact can weaken the materials and lead to it not performing at 100%.To help you get back on the mountain safely, we offer 30% off qualifying crash replacement helmets, making it easier to replace your helmet after an impact.

How Often Should You Replace Your Ski & Snowboard Helmet if You Haven’t Been in an Accident? 

Even without an accident, helmets don't last forever. Temperature changes, UV exposure, and other factors can weaken the materials of your helmet over time, so we recommend replacing your helmet every 5 years of active use or 10 years from the manufacture date (whichever comes first). 

How Do You Know How Old Your Helmet Is? 

If you can't remember when you bought your helmet, there's an easy way to check. Inside of every helmet (in ski & snowboard helmets with a liner, it will be under the removable liner) is a small square sticker with the model name, size, weight, and manufacturing month and year of your helmet. It will say “MFG: MONTH/YEAR and this can help determine how long you may have had your helmet and if it is time to get a new one.

How to Care for Your Helmet 

It’s important to make sure you’re taking good care of your helmet throughout its lifespan.  Here are some dos and don'ts to make sure you are caring for it properly. 

Storing Your Helmet

• Store your helmet in a well-ventilated place so that it can completely dry out between mountain days (this is also an important step to keep your helmet from developing any funky smells). 
• Do not store your helmet in an attic, garage, car trunk, or any other place that can experience temperature extremes and fluctuations. These temperature extremes (cold in the winter, hot in the summer) can damage your helmet. 

Cleaning Your Helmet

• We recommend using a soft cloth or sponge, with mild soap and water to clean your helmet. 
• Avoid harsh cleaners or solvents. 
• Removable pads can be hand-washed and laid flat to dry. 

A helmet is by far one of the most important pieces in your kit, and our goal is to help you find the perfect helmet for you. If you have any other questions we can answer, don’t hesitate to ask our team of customer service experts.