How Often Should Your Snowmobile Helmet be Replaced?

If you have a snowmobile, chances are, you always have at least one or two helmets a rider can use. Snowmobiles are fast and can reach top speeds north of 100 mph, depending on engine size, make, and model. This means you'll need to have the right safety equipment on hand to ensure your safety and the safety of everyone around you.

However, have you ever wondered how often you should replace this helmet? The helmet is the most integral part of your safety gear. It's there to protect your head from any injuries. However, it's not indestructible.

We’re here to walk you through some things you should know about the helmets you have for your snowmobile and provide some insight into when and why you should replace them.

Let’s take a closer look:

Replace your snowmobile helmet regularly

Almost all helmets should be replaced every few years to ensure your safety while riding. All helmets go through normal wear and tear, but you can't expect your old and beat-up helmet to protect you the same way it did when you first bought it.

If you don’t replace your helmet regularly and if something were to happen, it could lead to a world of trouble later down the line. Be mindful of when you bought your helmet, and keep a close eye on signs of wear and tear. You never know: It could save your life one day.

The average lifespan of a helmet is three to five years

If you invest in a high-quality snowmobile helmet, you can expect the helmet to last anywhere from three to five years with normal use. However, helmets don’t have expiration dates. To see when your helmet ‘expires’, you’ll want to check the date on the DOT certification on the manufacturer label to determine just how old your helmet is.

If you can't find a date on the label, keep a close eye on signs of wear and tear. Consider writing down when you first purchase the helmet so you'll have a general idea of when to replace it.

Always inspect your helmet regularly

Keep an eye out for any signs of damage, and replace your helmet if necessary. You’ll always want to use your best judgment. If you’ve taken a few gnarly falls lately or dropped your helmet a few times in your garage, it won't be in the same condition as when you first bought it.

Look for cracks, dents, or tears in the material. Take a look at the protective helmet line, the webbing, and the helmet shell. If you see any potential damage, you'll want to replace these parts of your helmet or consider investing in a new one.

Consider the different factors

Outside of normal wear and tear, other factors can affect the lifespan of your helmet. These include how often you take your snowmobile out for a ride, the terrain you ride on, and whether or not you crash often.

If you spend every weekend riding on difficult terrain and take a few falls here and there, you’ll want to consider replacing your helmet more frequently. However, if you’re only riding once or twice a month for leisure, you can probably feel confident that your helmet will last at least five years.

You know yourself and your riding habits better than anyone. This is something you'll want to take into consideration before investing in a new helmet.

Always properly store your helmet

All helmets should be stored in a cool, dry place when they aren’t in use. This will ensure there's no damage caused by outside factors, and you can increase the lifespan of your investment. To prevent any unwanted cracks, dents, or problems you'll want to store your helmet above the ground or inside a cabinet. You will also want to keep it away from children, pets, or wild animals.

Prioritize your helmet care

Helmets are more fragile than you might think. You'll want to prioritize helmet care to increase the longevity of your investment and ensure you're always protected every time you get ready to ride.

If you take good care of your helmet, it will last longer and keep you safe while riding. Always inspect it, keep it clean, and store it in the right place. Don’t just leave it on the floor in your garage or the back of your snowmobile when you aren’t using it. Avoid hanging your helmet from the mirrors, and always put it back into a cloth bag to avoid scratches when you're finished using it.

If you don't prioritize helmet care, it could lead to unwanted damage and impact how long you can hold onto your helmet.

Always have the right safety gear on hand

Did you know the leading cause of death on snowmobiles is a head injury? Wherever you go, always wear a helmet and all proper safety gear when riding a snowmobile. If you don't take the proper precautions or wear the right safety gear, you could put yourself and others at risk.

Upgrade your snowmobile helmet with Typhoon Helmets

We want to help you stay protected. So you can ride your snowmobiles everywhere you want and have the peace of mind you need to have fun.

At Typhoon Helmets, we offer many options with and without electrically heated shields. Our adult snowmobile and snocross helmets are high-quality and built to last. We also have a variety of youth snowmobile options to keep your children safe when they are riding. You can feel confident when you invest in one of our many solutions as they are certified to meet the DOR standard. All of our options are created with the highest quality material and are perfect for all the snowmobile activities you have planned.