How often does the helmet need to be replaced?

[santiclaws 0]

Does it lose its protective properties as a result of the foam breaking down over time?

[Thepandamancan 0]

Yes...to a degree. They are designed to last a while, but varying factors like sweat building up in the foams, environmental factors like humidity and weather, etc. cause the helmet to break down prematurely. It can also lose its protectiveness from impacts. Especially if you have an EPP liner, once that part of the helmet gets hit hard, it's less protective the next time you fall or get hit there.

Unless you're falling down all the time, playing every day, and/or store your helmet in an environment that goes from 30 to 100; a helmet should last you a couple years.

[AIREAYE 248]

Exactly, a rough look would be every 2-3 years or so; depending on frequency of play and storage conditions like pandaman said.

[Viking 1]

Does anyone know about one that hasn't been used? Like Hockeymonkey has Misson Intakes for sale, so obviously they've been sitting around a few years - if you were to buy one of those, could you expect it to have the same lifespan when you take it out of the box?

[Rockingsquat 4]

Nowadays it's written on your helmet, check out the HECC sticker, the Expiration date is written on it.

Actually a referee can kick you out of a game if your HECC thing is outdated.

When you buy a new helmet, make sure you don't get one that has been sitting on the shelves for ages by having a look at that sticker.

[AIREAYE 248]

Keep in mind the HECC applies only in USA sanctioned hockey.

[Chadd 916]

Keep in mind the HECC applies only in USA sanctioned hockey.

And CSA standards for Hockey Canada

[AIREAYE 248]

And CSA standards for Hockey Canada

That's it

Technically, the CSA sticker is only the length of time the certification for the helmet runs until; it's not an expiration.