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Helmet Replacement?

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funtimes
Posts: 263 - Karma: 93
I was wondering when a fall is hard enough to buy a new helmet...I have the smith maze, and I had heard helmets were only good for one fall. I was skiing yesterday, and my ski brake was apparently broken, which caused me to whip backwards and hit my head...there's no crack on the helmet, but I didn't know how big of a hit the helmet could take. anybody have any insight? +k
Feb 8 2012 12:01PM
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DanThrax
Posts: 128 - Karma: 139
I, and a few other people I know, usually go by the rule that if you hit your head hard enough and THINK you need your helmet replacing, then it's usually best to replace it.

Me, I have the RED Hi-FI Shaun White model, looks tidy and is so damn light.
Feb 8 2012 2:18PM
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jdubbs.
Posts: 728 - Karma: 119
If there is any question then you probably should. I have the smith variant Brim. Fantastic helmet, but it mainly depends on what you ski to choose what kind of helmet you want.
Feb 8 2012 2:24PM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6680 - Karma: 11,025
This. Cracks or visible damage are not the only sign of your helmet being expired. In fact, usually you can't tell when your helmet is expired since the foam has compressed and this was what you were ultimately counting on to keep you safe. So, if you take a fall where you were glad to have your helmet on, you should replace it. Don't take the risk, just get a new helmet.
Feb 8 2012 2:29PM
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cobra_commander
Posts: 16909 - Karma: 4,682
a $100 helmet is a lot cheaper than suffering from stupidity for the rest of your life.
Feb 8 2012 3:04PM
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james6345789
Posts: 4763 - Karma: 467
OneNerdyKid once told me that if the fall is hard enough to make you glad you had a helmet, it's time to buy a new one.
Feb 8 2012 4:48PM
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funtimes
Posts: 263 - Karma: 93
alright awesome thanks guys +k to you all. is there any test you can do to see if it is alright? or a way to check the foam to see if it is crushed? i just loaded my helmet up with all my favorite stickers haha i don't want to replace it if i don't have to (unbelievably terrible reasoning,i know)
Feb 9 2012 2:34PM
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steezypink21
Posts: 135 - Karma: 17

Go with the BERN Baker or the POC Receptor Bug.  Have both of them and theyre comfy as hell and can take a beating.  I upgraded from a Smith Maze and I've never been happier

Feb 9 2012 2:58PM
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james6345789
Posts: 4763 - Karma: 467
don't buy one of those stupid hardhats. the foam is like a third of an inch thick
Feb 9 2012 5:29PM
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PlaygroundRapist
Posts: 1307 - Karma: 26
If they are stupid enough to buy them, they deserve it.
Feb 9 2012 7:16PM
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funtimes
Posts: 263 - Karma: 93
by hardhat do you mean all of the bern helmets? or is it just a certain one?
Feb 9 2012 10:47PM
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rudager
Posts: 11335 - Karma: 4,631
Bern makes two types of helmets, the Hardhat, and the EPS.
I'll pull it right from the site

Available as a Hard Hat with a burly ABS shell with multiple-impact soft Brock® foam or as a helmet with ABS shell and EPS hard foam. EPS hard foam meets ASTM F 2040 and EN 1077B standards for snow and ski, CPSC and EN 1078 standards for bike and skate. Hard Hats with Brock soft foam do not meet the standards for action sport head protection.


Do not buy a helmet if it is not certified.
Do not buy a helmet that says it's multi impact, and then act like it's a multi impact.

There is no way to test how much life a helmet has left in it.

Feb 9 2012 10:54PM
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james6345789
Posts: 4763 - Karma: 467
well other companies make similar ones too. like sandbox does, i know that. Also RED makes hardhats. It's basically anything with really thin foam that resembles what you were looking at. and like stated above, do NOT buy a multi-impact helmet and treat it like one. You never know which impact was the final one.
Feb 9 2012 11:31PM
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jon@wh2o
Posts: 314 - Karma: 158

if the helmet has any visble damagefrom an impact, it's done.

Also, if it's a helmet like the maze that is designed for a single impact, and you have had a definate impact, put 2 and 2 together..... it's done

Feb 10 2012 1:44AM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6680 - Karma: 11,025
Unfortunately no- there is no way to tell if the foam is "too compressed" to no longer be safe. Visible damage is the obvious tell tale sign, but when in doubt don't risk your brain. We all know how important head safety is....
Feb 10 2012 4:00AM
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xkuza
Posts: 93 - Karma: 40
We x-ray moto helmets - no crack - use it.
Feb 13 2012 8:08AM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6680 - Karma: 11,025
Which is a good way to check for cracks, but again a helmet can be compromised without being cracked. And if you guys tell a customer a helmet is safe when the compressed foam no longer keeps them safe, you could face some serious legal ramifications. Just be careful with that...
Feb 13 2012 2:24PM
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GayWolf420
Posts: 37606 - Karma: 122,595
POC Receptors. No words needed. Without a doubt the best helmets on the market.
Feb 13 2012 4:23PM
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