Do I have to replace my helmet after a fall?
Yes, if the helmet took a hit. Every maker and federation source we read says to replace it. Helmets are built to do their job once. Troxel says its helmet is "only designed for ONE impact" and that "any Troxel helmets involved in an accident should be replaced immediately." Ovation says helmets involved in an accident "should be replaced and not worn again."
US Equestrian's helmet care tips explain the why: after any head impact in a fall, the foam layer's tiny bubbles burst on impact and leave that area weaker, so the helmet should be replaced. The same tips say to replace a helmet after a severe blow, especially if the rider has concussion symptoms. Because the damage may not be visible, a helmet that looks fine is not proof that it's fine.
A helmet question is separate from a health question. If you hit your head, talk to a doctor.
If you're wondering whether a fall "counts," ask the question the sources ask: did the helmet take a hit? If the answer is yes or maybe, treat it as used up and replace it. The makers don't give you a gray area on that one.
What if I just dropped it?
A hard drop can damage a helmet where you can't see it, so check the maker's guidance. Troxel says a dropped helmet may have a cracked shell or damaged foam that isn't visible, and that even an undamaged dropped helmet should still be replaced on the five-year schedule or sooner, depending on wear. US Equestrian's tips also warn that dropping a helmet on a hard surface, like a barn aisle, can cause damage even when none shows.
Not every maker spells out a rule for drops. Ovation's replacement page, for example, covers accidents only. If you're unsure about a particular drop, ask the maker, and keep helmets on a shelf or in a bag rather than on a bench or a saddle rack where they can fall.
How old is too old for a riding helmet?
The guidance we read centers on five years. Here is what each source says:
Maker guidance differs in the details. Ovation's replacement page doesn't give an age at all, only the accident rule, so your own helmet's manual or maker is the best place to confirm. Troxel also says riders who ride often should replace sooner. As for kids, Troxel says there's no particular age to move to an adult helmet; it's about fit.
| Source | What it says about age |
|---|---|
| Troxel | Replace at least every five years from the date of purchase; riders who ride often should replace sooner |
| US Equestrian helmet care tips | Replace after five years of regular use even without an impact, because the materials wear down over time |
| Ovation | Replacement page covers accidents only; no age given |
Can heat, storage or cleaning shorten a helmet's life?
Yes. Makers and US Equestrian say to keep helmets out of direct sun and heat. US Equestrian's tips say leaving a helmet in a hot car can damage it and make it less effective in a fall, because the foam layer can melt in extreme heat. Troxel adds that dry-cleaning, cleaning solvents, chemicals, paint, heat and bug sprays may affect a helmet's integrity or performance.
Check your own helmet's care page for its specifics, since they differ by maker.
How do I clean my helmet, and can I add stickers or paint?
Clean it with products made for helmets, and leave the paint and stickers off. US Equestrian says sweat, makeup, sunscreen and dirt build up inside a helmet and can break down the lining. It recommends helmet-specific cleaners and says dry cleaning, clothes washers and dishwashers can compromise the materials inside. Troxel's advice on cosmetic changes is firm: it strongly advises against painting, stickering or applying crystals, cameras or other objects, and says other modifications void its warranty and may affect protective capabilities. Troxel-branded covers and headliners are fine on Troxel helmets.
If your helmet has a removable liner, cleaning or replacing it helps with hygiene and can extend the helmet's life, according to US Equestrian. Troxel describes its headliner as removable and washable. A snug, comfortable fit matters too: Troxel says to fit the helmet with your hair in whatever style you ride in, and that if you're between sizes it's best to go up, since further fit adjustments can be made inside the helmet.
If you're shopping for a rider and you don't ride, skip the helmet decorations. Makers say not to paint or sticker a helmet, and a plain helmet with a washable liner is the safe thing to know about.
Is it safe to buy or borrow a used helmet?
Troxel says no, because you can't know its history. Its FAQs advise against buying or borrowing a used helmet, since its impact history is unknown, and against lending your own. US Equestrian's tips give a second reason to keep your helmet to yourself: helmets mold to the wearer's head, so a different head shape could stretch it and make it fit poorly.
US Equestrian's article doesn't address buying a used helmet directly. The same logic applies, though: if you can't answer "has it ever hit the ground hard?", you don't know what protection it has left.
How do I keep track of how old my helmet is?
Write your purchase date inside the helmet, right next to the stamp. The date stamped inside a helmet is the manufacture date, not the purchase date, so it doesn't tell you how long you've owned it. Troxel counts its five years from the date of purchase, which is why the purchase date is the one to write down.
Do this the day a new helmet comes home. It's much easier than trying to remember later.
Not sure it's time? Our bike helmet answer has a 30-second helmet check, and our riding helmet buyer's guide covers choosing the next one.
The easiest way to answer "how old is my helmet?" is to write the purchase date inside it the day it arrives. Then you never have to guess.
What if my child is growing, or my helmet just doesn't fit like it used to?
For kids, fit decides it, not a birthday. Troxel says there's no particular age to move to an adult helmet, and its kids' guide says to buy a helmet that fits properly now, not a loose one to grow into. Troxel's FAQs describe the target as snug but comfortable, with a helmet that won't move excessively while riding. If a child's helmet starts to feel tight, or is rocking where it didn't before, it's time to try the next size rather than wait for the five-year mark.
The same goes for adults. Troxel says your head shape and the inside shape of the helmet together determine the size you need, and that the size chart is a general guide, so trying on a few models is worth it. If you're between sizes, it recommends going up, since further adjustments can be made inside the helmet. Our head-measuring guide walks through the tape-measure step.
What does a quick helmet check look like?
Run through these before the busy season, and again after any fall. Each item comes from the guidance above.
- Is the certification tag still legible, and is it a current version?
- Has the helmet ever taken a hit, a hard drop or a fall? If so, replace it.
- Is it five years or more since you bought it, counting from your written purchase date?
- Has it been in a hot car or near solvents, bug spray or paint?
- Is the liner clean, or replaceable if the model allows it?
- Does it still sit snug and level, without rocking?
Pick a date you'll remember, such as the first day of show season or the first cold morning of the year, and do the helmet check then. A yearly habit beats trying to remember.
Barn words on this page
- Single-impact design
- Helmets are built to crush and protect during one significant impact, then be replaced.
- Manufacture date
- The date stamped inside a helmet when it was made. It isn't the date you bought it.
- Purchase date
- The date you bought the helmet. Troxel counts its five-year guidance from this date.
- Certification tag
- The label showing the standard a helmet is certified to, such as ASTM F1163/SEI, PAS 015, VG1 or Snell.
- Headliner
- The removable padding inside some helmets. Troxel describes its headliner as removable and washable.
Quick questions
How often should I replace my riding helmet?
Sources we read point to about five years: Troxel at least every five years from purchase, and US Equestrian after five years of regular use if there's been no impact. Replace sooner after a fall.
Do I need a new helmet after a fall if it looks fine?
Makers say yes if it took an impact, because damage may not be visible. US Equestrian says to replace it after any head impact.
Can I lend my helmet to a friend?
Troxel advises against lending your helmet, and US Equestrian notes helmets mold to the wearer's head.
Does the date inside my helmet show how old it is?
It shows when it was made, not when you bought it. Write your purchase date next to it.
Can I paint or sticker my helmet?
Troxel strongly advises against painting, stickering or adding objects, and says other modifications void its warranty. Ask your helmet's maker before changing anything.
Can I put my helmet in the washing machine?
US Equestrian says dry cleaning, clothes washers and dishwashers can compromise the materials inside a helmet. Use helmet-specific products, and clean or replace a removable liner.
