The polo helmet is a riding helmet, only it has a distinctive style and is subject to a specific standard of riding helmets. The care and maintenance is the same for all of them, so here we will refer to it as a riding helmet because it applies to all.
When it leaves our factory, a riding helmet offers the highest level of protection. Over time, the materials naturally degrade, even if you have never used the helmet.
Protection is also reduced depending on the use, care and storage of the helmet, as well as after any type of impact.
How often should helmets be replaced?
The maximum useful life of a riding helmet is five years from the date of first use, depending on the frequency of use. Even if you have not had an accident with your helmet, it is advisable to replace it after this time. This is due to the natural wear of the materials.
If your helmet suffers any type of impact, no matter how small, its protective qualities will be compromised. In general, as a rule, you should replace your helmet before riding again.
Finally, the helmet must fit snugly on your head. If your helmet is too loose or too tight, it's time to change it.
How to tell if your helmet is damaged
If you have suffered a major fall, you may notice cracks on the outside of the helmet and it will be obvious that the helmet needs to be replaced. However, in most situations, the actual damage will be invisible to the naked eye, either from aging or any impact. In the case of classic polo helmets, the outer shell is covered by fabric or leather, making it difficult to visualize a crack.
→ At Falcon Polo we offer a service to check the polo helmet after a fall, to look for micro-fractures that may affect the protection.
The inner layer (EPS or EPP) offers the most protection, but is also the most fragile part of the helmet. This layer is hidden between the outer shell and the inner liner. EPS and EPP are composed of energy-absorbing pellets filled with air to form a microscopic bubble. These pellets burst upon impact, so they can absorb and dissipate the energy of an impact to protect the skull.
Each time the helmet is impacted, the EPS/EPP layer is compressed. It will not offer the same level of protection if it receives another impact, even if there is no visible damage to the outside of the helmet. This is why it is very difficult to tell if a helmet is damaged just by looking at it without specialized equipment.
Therefore, you should replace your riding helmet after any impact, especially if it was a fall on a hard surface.