My CO Pro II helmet is about 4 years old, I’ve never fallen on it, but the lining has packed down enough that it’s now just a bit too loose to be a really good fit. Does anyone have experiences to share in adding to the lining to get it back to fitting?
Thanks so much, in advance.
Sure-- I have used either the CO extra padding that came with the helmet, or maxi pads. That said a four year old helmet is geating up there and I would probably think about replacing it.
4 years old. Get a new one. If the fit has changed from the lining being packed down, it is time for a new helmet.
If the fit changes because you cut you hair, that is different but this is telling you that you need a new one.
This happened with my Charles Owen after 1.5 years although to be fair I might have erred and bought it a bit too large. It was starting to rattle as I cantered. I bought a new one a size smaller and I’m very happy with it. I agree that at four years, I would definitely buy a new helmet. I never thought to use maxi pads although I got my new one on sale so I’m not displeased.
If you do go the maxi pad route, I guess unscented would be the way to go :lol:
I have seen a friend use the maxi pad to firm up for a bit. I think it might’ve just been a panty liner actually…
I agree with BFNE- be safe
That panty liner / maxi pad idea sounds like an affordable, easy solution. On the other hand, I admit that I was hoping that nobody would say that I need a new helmet. I’ll have to research: am I wrong in thinking that since the shell has never had an impact, the helmet is still good? Judging from your feedback, it sounds like I am wrong there.
[QUOTE=devvie;7969348]
That panty liner / maxi pad idea sounds like an affordable, easy solution. On the other hand, I admit that I was hoping that nobody would say that I need a new helmet. I’ll have to research: am I wrong in thinking that since the shell has never had an impact, the helmet is still good? Judging from your feedback, it sounds like I am wrong there.[/QUOTE]
unfortunately wrong. It is the shell AND internal foam that protects your brain. It does break down overtime. That is why they say to replace your helmet every few years (3-5) regardless of any falls. Since the fit has changed, that is a clear sign that yours is ready to be replaced.
Charles Owen says to replace after five years and that’s what I was hoping to get out of my helmet.
CO also says:
“A helmet that moves on the head significantly reduces the level of protection it is designed to offer.”
“A helmet’s interior is made of a high-grade expanded polystyrene, full of microscopic bubbles. The layers of bubbles burst upon an impact and, as they burst, they protect your head and reduce the risk of injury.”
Hmmm. Thanks for your responses!
I will be the voice of dissent and say that you should be fine getting at least another year out of your helmet…especially if you try to keep in in controlled environments when not in use (ie. not in your car, trailer tack room, etc).
When I got my Pro II adjusted by Roy (Mr. CO himself), he used what looked like that sticky foam that you can get to seal up doorways and windows for winter. Granted, it was just a few little pieces to seal up slight hollows by my temples, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work for you.
Not to dissuade you from buying a new helmet if that’s what you want to do, but it looks like CO recommends replacement after 5 years after purchase or 2000 hours of use. See http://www.riders4helmets.com/2011/10/when-should-i-replace-my-helmet-expiration-dates/ (tried to cut and paste to quote but the website won’t let me - whatever.) Seems to me that the mfr isn’t going to tell you to replace it too soon.
Personally, when the padding on my helmets gets a little packed down I use either a scarf or headband (winter) or panty liners (summer).
Adjusting the fit of a NEW Helmet is very different from an old. And while 5 years is the suggested date of replacement, this assumes no change in the helmet AND you haven’t used it over 2000 hours or in a harsh climate.
If the interior foam had packed down enough to change the fit (in an older helmet, not one you are just breaking in), then it is clearly time for a new one.
This is a piece of safety equipment protecting an important part of your body. Not something I would risk.
OP, my “solution” to the same problem is to ride daily in a cheap-o Ovation schooling helmet and save my CO for when I want to look fancy - lessons and shows and such. I think that’s the best way to get 5 years out of expensive helmets. In the past couple years the under $100 schooling helmet category has exploded, with WAY better options than fugly ill-fitting Troxels. My Ovation was $55 at Dover and I love everything about it.
Hmmm, I’m getting close to 2000 hours. My helmet is stored in a climate controlled tack room inside an old bank barn, but I’m in Ontario, Canada, so it does go out in all kinds of weather from hot to very very cold.
Duckz, good idea, but I find it more affordable and hopefully more safe to just have one good helmet, period, dressage, x-c, schooling, everything. Plus back when I tried helmets the CO was the only thing that I found that had a good fit.
If you are attending an event where a CO rep will be present (for me it was USPC champs), they will adjust for free. Mine was getting too loose and the rep very carefully added foam with sticky backing. It is now a very good fit.
Honestly, all 3 of my CO’s did that after about a year and a half or 2 years (a GR8 and 2 AYR8’s) and I use the weatherstripping stuff you put around a door or window. I don’t remember if they suggested it or someone on here suggested it, but I did email CO about it and they said that was completely fine to do! I put mine under the liner part that folds up so it’s not directly against my forehead.
[QUOTE=Duckz;7969425]
OP, my “solution” to the same problem is to ride daily in a cheap-o Ovation schooling helmet and save my CO for when I want to look fancy - lessons and shows and such. I think that’s the best way to get 5 years out of expensive helmets. In the past couple years the under $100 schooling helmet category has exploded, with WAY better options than fugly ill-fitting Troxels. My Ovation was $55 at Dover and I love everything about it.[/QUOTE]
This is what I do too! I save my CO for competitions, clinics, and the like and have a cheap schooling helmet for riding in the dusty arena at home.
It’s so rare that I disagree with BFNE, and I don’t know why I care all that much about this, but I did a little surfing about CO helmet anatomy and it confirmed that the padding around your head is independent of the shock absorbing layer of the helmet:
"Directly beneath the shell is the expanded polystyrene or EPS, the part of the helmet that absorbs the energy of the fall so that the brain does not bruise itself inside the skull. The polystyrene layer is made up of thousands of beads that are full of tiny air bubbles.
…
Inside the expanded polystyrene is the inner liner, which includes the comfort padding and sizing foam."
See http://useventing.com/news/behind-charles-owen-badge-helmet-materials .
Obviously, your helmet may need to be replaced if the padding is packed down, but it may need replacing even if it isn’t. The questions are independent.
Lucky thing for me, because I don’t really want to buy a new helmet. 
Replace it.
Simply dropping it on the floor has the potential to compromise a helmet. Unless you are absolutely anal retentive about how you handle it the chances are low that your old helmet is as safe as a new one. I don’t and won’t wear one that old. I’m willing to pinch pennies in a lot of places, but never with protection for my brain.
I think I’d have an easier time replacing my helmets if there were an easier way to recycle old helmets. (And I don’t mean “turn them into flowerpots” recycling. :winkgrin:) As a result I keep accumulating these old helmets b/c I hate knowing they’ll just take up more landfill space. 
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