When Should You Replace Your Cycling Helmet? A Safety Guide

Understanding Helmet Lifespan, Expiration, and Real-World Wear

Cycling is a great way to stay active, commute efficiently, and enjoy the outdoors—but safety should always be part of the ride. Most cyclists understand that wearing a helmet reduces the risk of head injury in a crash. What’s talked about far less often is when that helmet should be replaced.

If you’re riding in a helmet you bought “a while ago” and can’t quite remember when, this article is for you.

Helmets Save Heads — Until They Don’t

Anyone who’s been riding for years has a story like this: a minor spill, some road rash, maybe a bruised hip… and a helmet that looks fine at first glance. But a closer look reveals scuffs, deep scratches, or even cracks in the EPS foam.

That foam is designed to absorb impact once. After that, the helmet has done its job.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, roughly one-third of non-fatal cycling injuries involve the head. Canadian emergency department data puts serious head injuries between 20% and 40% of cycling-related cases. Multiple studies show helmets significantly reduce both the risk and severity of injury—when they’re in good condition.

I’ve had more than one incident that reinforced this for me. One in particular stands out: a low-speed tip-over where the side of my head made contact with the ground. It wasn’t dramatic. I got up and rode away. The helmet showed only a minor scrape on the shell, and there was no visible damage to the foam inside.

But that impact still mattered.

Even when there’s no obvious cracking or crushing, the EPS foam inside a helmet can be compromised by a single impact. The foam absorbs energy by deforming, and once it’s done that, it cannot fully recover. That means its ability to protect you in a second, similar incident is reduced—even if everything looks “fine” from the outside.

I’m confident I walked (and rode) away from that moment because I was wearing a helmet. I’m equally confident that the helmet had done its job and needed replacing afterward.

The Problem: Helmets Age Even If You Don’t Crash

Unlike car seats or some industrial helmets, cycling helmets don’t carry a formal expiration date. That doesn’t mean they last forever.

Over time, helmets degrade in ways you can’t always see:

• EPS foam breakdown
  The foam slowly loses structural integrity as chemical components off-gas. It becomes more brittle and less capable of absorbing impact energy.
• Shell and adhesive degradation
  The bond between the outer shell and the EPS foam weakens with time, heat, sweat, UV exposure, and normal handling. As that bond degrades, so does the helmet’s protective performance.

In other helmeted sports and industries, replacement timelines typically fall between three and five years from manufacture. That’s a very reasonable guideline for cycling helmets as well.

Two Simple Rules We Live By

These are the rules we often share with customers—and yes, we’re guilty of breaking them ourselves:

1. If you can’t remember when you bought your helmet, it’s time to replace it.
   Chances are it’s already beyond that 3–5 year window.
2. If the manufacturer has phased out the model that replaced yours, you’re well past due.
   Helmet technology, materials, and safety standards improve steadily. Riding in a helmet two generations old means giving up those gains.

Fit Still Matters (Even More With a New Helmet)

A new helmet only protects you properly if it fits correctly. A poorly fitted brand-new helmet can be less protective than an older one that fits well.

At a glance, remember these core fit rules:

• The helmet should sit level and cover your forehead.
• The front edge should sit about two finger widths above your eyebrows.
• Straps should form a snug “Y” under each ear.
• Chin strap tension should allow one finger (or two for smaller hands) between strap and chin.
• The helmet should stay put when you shake your head—even before the chin strap is buckled.

If you need a refresher, this is where your earlier fitting article becomes a perfect internal link.

The Bottom Line

Helmets don’t fail dramatically. They quietly age out of their job.

You don’t need to crash for a helmet to stop protecting you as designed. Time, use, sun, sweat, and handling all take their toll. Replacing your helmet every few years isn’t about being overly cautious—it’s about recognizing that the materials doing the real work aren’t meant to last forever.

If your helmet’s age is a mystery, that’s your answer.

Wear a helmet. Replace it when it’s time. It really is that simple.

More About Helmets

Safe Cycling Best Practices:  Wear A Helmet!

Correct Your Fit:  Protect Your Head With Proper Helmet Fitting