Expired but like-new brain bucket

[evan9eleven]

So I bought a shiny new Bieffe full-face helmet for the track. Problem is that was in about 2001. I wore it at Thunderhill once; I drove the World of Speed at Bonneville once; I went go-karting in it once. Not a lot of use exactly. Never gone through the windshield wearing it or dropped it or had any other mishaps with it for that matter.

I realize that most motorsport events won't let me use it, though it could be that they don't care so much about expired helmets in Spain where my Boxster spends its days (I honestly don't know.) The question, now that I'm finally getting to the point: if we disregard the date on the helmet but consider its lazy life, is it *technically* still safe to use?

[thstone]

The issue is that the shock absorbing materials inside the helmet degrade primarily based on age rather than use (assuming normal use). Hence, a well-used new helmet will provide much more protection than a brand new 10 year old helmet.

Remember that helmet technology has improved greatly in the last 10 years so a new helmet is also substantially safer in terms of design and materials than an old one.

Add these two up and you are much safer in a newer helmet.

[evan9eleven]

Well, that answers my question! Thanks.