“Old” Manufacture Date on New Helmet

[LEL]

I just purchased a new helmet from a reputable website and it was delivered today. There is no padding in the box. The helmet itself is in its box, only surrounded by the thin helmet bag. Again, no padding. The box looks fairly worn like it’s either old or was sliding and banging around in transit.

All of this aside, when I checked the manufacture date it reads 02/2014. How much would this bother you? I know helmet expiration is a controversial topic. I know helmets are said to expire due to exposure to the elements (heat/temperature change/sun/UV/ etc.)

Is it worth it to send the helmet back and ask for a newer helmet? The helmet is the one piece of equipment I’m slightly neurotic about. I do replace them every 3-5 years and after any fall.

[Gardenhorse]

I would send it back. I don’t think a reputable website should sell an expired helmet and I would be upset to receive one that old.

[hybriseris]

Yeah, I’m no expert on helmet expiration dates but my main concern would be the lack of protection in transit and clear signs of being banged up. If there’s one piece of equipment to take no chances with, it’s the helmet. I’d send it back!

[TheJenners]

I’d be pissed. For one thing, the material inside expires after 5 years, and for another, who knows how many trucks it was thrown in and out of between leaving and arriving? Give me a break. Yeah I’d be pissed.

I ordered one of the last of the CO GR8s before the new padding system, and the one I got was about a year old when it arrived. Worth it to me, and it was packaged well.

[goodhors]

I agree with the others, send it back. I actually see this selling of aged helmets often, “on sale” for good markdowns! Vendor really can’t afford to just toss them, so anything they get is better than a total loss after expiration date.

Do NOT take a chance on this helmet. I go with recommendations by manufacturers, 5yrs and gone. Not risking failure of aged (used or new off the shelf) materials in that old helmet. YOU will be the person suffering from that failure if you come off the horse. My Company required us to exchange hard hats, new for old, every 5 years because they had aged out. Not allowed to wear old hard hats because they might fail when needed.

I have gotten our recent helmets from Riding Warehouse. I called in to order and specified a recent manufacture date on them. They were very helpful, one model was out of stock, they would ship it as soon as the new order arrived. It was one month from manufacture date! The other two helmets were 3 months old when I got them.

[LEL]

Thanks all. I wasn’t sure if I was overreacting. Technically the age of the helmet starts at the date of start of use, but I do wonder how much the materials degrade over time (even not in use). And then there is the question of any damage in transit since it was so poorly packed.

This was a full price helmet! No price reduction whatsoever. I don’t know that the date was even checked prior to shipment. It’s a frustration since I am responsible for return shipping costs according to their return policy.

Calling is a good idea. I’ve never had an issue ordering a helmet online in the past. They’ve always arrived new-ish (within months of manufacture date) and well packed. This one was an oddity.

[Moneypitt]

Actually, the expiration date is 5-6 years from date of manufacture. Apparently, it’s the normal degradation of the materials used over that amount of time that renders a ‘brand new unworn’ helmet expired. In other words, less safe. Helmets should also be replaced after a fall.

Return!!

[LEL]

This is the controversial part. Expiration from manufacture date or expiration from date of first wear? It’s a Charles Owen helmet and the Charles Owen website states 5 years from date of first wear.

Either way, I’ve requested the return. I wonder how often this happens? I’m sure companies have “old” helmets left to sell.

[trubandloki]

It being old is a good reason to return it if you ask me.
Before they recently changed the rule, at pony club they would actually check the date inside the helmet and your helmet had to have a date of less than five years ago. So this helmet would not have been allowed.

The fact that the helmet box does not have additional padding in it does not surprise me. I do not think any helmet I have ever bought had additional padding inside the helmet box.

[gallop_jump]

I would give them a call and ask them to pay for return shipping, since in my humble opinion, a 7 year old helmet at full-price is unacceptable. A year or two, eh, could give a pass, but 2014? That’s insane!

[Gardenhorse]

I think it would always worry you a little bit to wear it and so it’s better to send it back, even if you have to pay the return shipping, to get a newer one. If you have the time, I would certainly consider calling them and asking them to cover the return shipping, and let them know that selling a 7 year old helmet as “new” is unacceptable. Even thougth the Charles Owens site says replacement date is 5 years since first wear, it also says, “When it leaves our factory, a riding helmet offers the maximum level of protection. Over time the materials naturally degrade, even if you simply left the helmet on a shelf and never used it.” https://www.charlesowen.com/guides/why-should-you-replace-your-helmet-after-a-fall.html

[Impractical_Horsewoman]

I agree with this 100% and would be even more outraged than some of the posters here. First of all, the padding degrades with time, not just use (think of how even a garment, no matter how well-stored, still degrades when hung in a closet, and that’s not safety equipment). A helmet is said to expire five years after the expiration date. Why would you pay as much for an old, poorly shipped helmet as you would one which is new and properly taken care of?

I guess I sound like an angry old biddy, but not only would I send it back, but I’d fire off a strongly-worded email to the company about helmet safety and shipping and probably not use them a second time.

I don’t think helmet safety and expiration dates are really that controversial. It’s just that many helmet types are expensive (I’m one of those people whose head doesn’t fit Troxels and some of the cheaper varieties), and some people try to stretch helmet lifespans longer than is 100% safe.

This reminds me I’m probably due for a new one myself.

[vxf111]

Send it back. No doubt. They need to replace it with one that is clearly new and has a reasonable date on it. And they need to pay the shipping. This is unacceptable. If they don’t immediately make it right, out them. This is an item of safety equipment and its condition should not be in doubt when it arrives. Sh*t happens but they need to immediately replace this at no cost to you.

[ladyj79]

And since Charles Owen is a company who essentially prohibits all but a once a year tiny discount, I think Charles Owen needs to accept/insist on the return to them of helmets languishing in shops for years unsold OR provide reasonable ability for retailers to discount older merchandise.

[Moneypitt]

Yes even the different companies differ.

https://www.riders4helmets.com/when-should-i-replace-my-helmet-expiration-dates/

Samshield being from date of manufacture.

I think most companies assume their helmets will be purchased and worn within a year of manufacture. That seems pretty reasonable in most circumstances.

[Jenerationx]

Yikes, who would ever think you’d order a new helmet and get something 7 years old? I would definitely send it back.

[TheDBYC]

I was surprised to learn that many manufacturers have added the helmet being dropped or falling onto a hard surface to the list of reasons a helmet should be replaced! The material in the foam layer is designed for only one impact & the areas of compression resulting are often undetectable from looking at the outside shell. I’d worry about the helmet having been banged around if the box is in bad shape.

[trubandloki]

@TheDBYC

I was surprised to learn that many manufacturers have added the helmet being dropped or falling onto a hard surface to the list of reasons a helmet should be replaced!

I don’t think this is new. I am not quite as old as dinosaurs and I remember being told this way back when helmets became a protective device and not just a pretty hunt cap.

[TheDBYC]

Oh.

[Libby2563]

I had this exact same experience a couple years ago! Like to the point that I thought for a second I was the OP and the thread had been bumped up. I can’t remember who I ordered it from but it wasn’t a major retailer (SP, RW, Dover, etc). I think it may even have been my first/only time ordering from the company. The helmet was rattling around in a large shipping box with zero padding, and was 5+ years old already IIRC. I sent it back and I do think they covered return shipping. They really should in your case too!

ETA: I did start a thread! Here it is: Just unknowingly bought a 6.5-year-old helmet. Keep it?