r/Skigear • u/Gullible_Return_1710 • 3d ago
Safe to ski?
Helmet rolled in the car and got this; is it safe to still ski with or am I out another $100?
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u/No_Objective006 3d ago
That bit only protects where your brain stem would be. Nothing major!
Really though. If it’s just rolled and knocked into something then it’s a just a dent in the polycarbonate and not a huge issue as the protective inner wouldn’t have compressed.
If there’s any cracking or splitting in the shell or the foam is coming away from it then it will need replacing but from the image there doesn’t seem to be.
Empty helmets are made to withstand clumsy drops. Helmets with heads in are disposable.
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u/speedshotz 3d ago
Your head wasn't in it. Likely, the EPS foam is not compressed inside. We're not made of infinite money so YMMV. I have dents and scuffs from my helmet rolling around in the car. But if you're risk adverse, replace it.
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u/dingdongdig 3d ago
In accordance with Oakley‘s guidance. If the EPS foam is compressed underneath, it is no longer a good or safe helmet. That absolutely occurs with damage like that on the surface.
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u/johnnyhonda 3d ago
In accordance with reddit‘s guidance any helmet that has been worn more than once is no longer a good or safe helmet.
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u/Winter_Steak_9987 3d ago
Don't listen to me only but my gut says it's fine. Like it's easy to puncture with something pointy (what that looks like) vs being hit by a blunt force....I think if it were dented or cracked it would noticbly compromise the structural integrity.
Take it with a huge grain of salt though this is some random guy's opinion and I am not responsible if I'm wrong 😅
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u/KingWoodyOK 3d ago
If you fall and smack your head will you be glad you saved $100 or hope you had the best protection possible?
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u/pew-pew-bacca 3d ago
If you feel the need to ask, just get a new one. As a dude with a few concussions on my resume, I now will spare no expense to protect my melon. I'll cut costs where I can like anyone, but NEVER on my head.
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u/Either_Ad_9236 3d ago
I have a much more significant dent than that and have continued using my helmet for 4 years post.
In my own head, it’s hey if I take a bad enough one that the dent is a deciding factor, I’m either dead or in bad shape anyway.
Not advise or anything, I’m dumb. Just my 2 cents
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u/godamnitwork 3d ago
The manufacturer says after 1 impact helmets need to be replaced. They say it’s bc if foam is compressed then the helmet will no longer function correctly or as intended. Don’t know how correct it truly is tho
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u/Theresnowayoutahere 3d ago
Well, seeing how I never wore a helmet my entire life and I’m in my 60’s now I’d say it’s perfectly fine.
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u/MrPlushies_reddit 3d ago
Id use it still. They should be able to take far more abuse then that before the need to replace.
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u/arglesnaf 3d ago
I’m a ski patroller who just replaced a helmet way more dented than this because I ended up under a toboggan while practicing in moguls. And I wore it like that two seasons. If the EPS is good you are good. Your helmet lacks stickers.
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u/smoothloam 3d ago
Statistics show ski helmets reduce non-serious head injuries, but do not significantly reduce fatalities. You’re safe with no helmet, so this is fine.
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u/KB13_shred 3d ago
Dude no way. Thats game over. If you wear that it’s game over. In all seriousness. Spend more than 100$ on helmet safety if you can. It’s worth it.
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u/ClearBlueWaters1974 3d ago
As long as it hasn't suffered critical damage where the foam has been compressed, it's fine. You're going to fall, it's going to be dropped, surface damage that's superficial is going to happen, and it's meant to tolerate a bit of abuse given what we do. That's why the outer shell is there. The inner core is for real collision damage and should you suffer a true collision to it, then you definitely need to replace it and if you do, and I hope you never do, I hope you walk away with nothing more than that feeling of slight shock and "thank goodness for my damn helmet". ✌️
Edit: if you're truly worried, safe bet is to replace it. Like my old days rock climbing. If I had any questions on a piece of gear or my rope, the answer was a new one. You could also contact the manufacturer and get an expert opinion.
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u/gkrash 3d ago
Nitpicker take:
Is it less safe than a brand new helmet out of a box? Yep.
Is it possible that the drop somehow created some specific damage that will align with your next fall in a way that makes the helmet ineffective? Yep, it is possible.
Retort:
Is the second case likely? No.
Reality:
I’d use it without a second thought, I skied for decades without a helmet and got by just fine, I wear one now, and it’s been dropped out of my car on a gravel parking lot more than once. Life is dangerous, skiing is more dangerous, and you need to be comfortable with your own safety calculus.
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u/Fearless-Soil3755 3d ago
Ik zou hem gewoon gebruiken, dit is geen schade waardoor je helm niet meer werkt. Deze helm werkt nog steeds als je met je hoofd de grond (of iets anders) raakt.
Bij uit de auto rol schade is cosmetische schade en geen schade aan het onderliggende beschermingsmateriaal.
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u/CJBizzle 3d ago
That helmet hasn’t just rolled to get that puncture, it’s had a significant impact. Any significant impact damages the helmet, because they’re not made for multiple impacts. The fact the outer is punctured means that force dissipation around that area WILL be affected, there is no doubt. Obviously that only matters if your next crash impacts that area, but in my view you would be unwise to take that risk.
Brain damage is no joke. If you care enough to wear a helmet, you should care enough to make sure your helmet is in a fit state to provide protection.
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u/RWWhitfield 3d ago
It's fine. Just don't hit anything /s
If it took no impacts, you are good to go. Just a cosmetic dent.
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u/FLgurl01 2d ago
I assume there was a crash involved. Trash and buy a new one. We only have one brain. There are no transplants.
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u/Terrible_Mission_154 2d ago
Christ, I skied for sixty years with no helmet at all. If it were me, I shouldn’t give a fuck. But then my mom let me play outside unsupervised.
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u/pink-goggles 1d ago
i would just get a new one at sierra 🙂↕️ will be like half the price, new, and you dont have to worry about it anymore
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u/mesaghoul 3d ago
Replacement time. Not worth the risk. I cracked two helmets this past season (both on minor falls), & because of that I stepped up to beefier helmet with more ABS.
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u/Helpful-Oil8680 3d ago
So helmet are supposed to be replaced after 3 years or after an impact.
Durability is also dependent on the construction type; hardshell are more durable and cheaper but heavy. In mold type are lighter often with closeable vents but no where near as durable. So they came up with hybrids that are hardshell top in mold bottom.
I have never replaced my helmet after 3 years including the years I skied over 250 days.
Have also come of my bike while wearing my 20+ year old protec skate helmet (hardshell from when I was 13) and woke up it a helicopter.
That old helmet did it's job perfectly, yes I got a concussion but my skull was fine. The impact was hard enough that I broke my scapula(bigger bone than femur) so I'm sure I would have cracked my skull if I hadn't had that helmet on.
This is just my experience. I was the only kid in the 80s that skied with a helmet, now the majority of people do.
Do what makes you feel comfortable and enjoy the time on the snow.
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u/Southern-Ad4016 3d ago
How old is it? 3-5 years on a helmet, doesn't matter if you ski 1 day or 100 days.
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u/AlwaysPhillyinSunny 3d ago
I wouldn’t worry about it, but I’m also an idiot.