I have an expensive namebrand helmet that I bought 6 years ago, it didn’t fit and it’s just been sitting.
I feel terrible throwing it away but also don’t want someone to use it. Anyone have any ideas for alternative uses? I think there was a thread on this but I can’t find it now.
Was thinking maybe giving it to consignment for decorative uses and write ‘DECORATIVE USE ONLY’ in the liner. I’ve seen people use them in displays (it’s a velvet topped one) and even saw one used in a Christmas wreath once.
Cut the chinstrap off before you give it away even if only for decorative uses that way no one can use it (well they could if they got creative but…).
Other than that I’m not sure. My old GR8’s are sitting in helmet bags and have been for more than a decade :).
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I second cutting the straps off before you do anything with it - you never know where it’ll end up!
Cut … Strap … Not needed for decorative use.
I agree about cutting the chin strap. I once tossed a helmet in the trash at the barn I was boarding at. It was 5 years old and I had taken a fall right before I got my new one. The BM took it out of the trash can and gave it to another boarder. I ended up having to take it back and throwing it out at home because I wasn’t going to be responsible for someone wearing it. Truth be told unless you use it for your own decorating I wouldn’t trust it. There are too many people who are willing to do anything to save a buck.
If you have a costume shop near you (a high school or college maybe), donate it to them. I’ve given old velvet helmets and out-of-fashion tall boots. You never know when they’ll be planning a production of Mame with that foxhunting scene!
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I got the suggestion here to drill holes in them and use them as decorative planters. I’m waiting for my plant stands to arrive, and then have two GPAs in my garage waiting to hold some begonias.
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Forgive my ignorance, is the issue here the age (>5 years?) Isn’t that a general guideline (recommended by helmet manufacturers, who may have a bit of conflict of interest) not backed by science or any study? If the helmet was properly stored and not in any falls isn’t it still usable? Perhaps worth donating to a riding center or something with full disclosure of the age?
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Seems like a good option. With full disclosure. The people at the riding center will know if they want to use them.
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Donate them to a fox hunt, they use them to show hounds and they are pretty hard to find.
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Cover it in feathers and use it as a decorative wall hanging…my mom is friends with a designer who used a few hunt caps and sidesaddle hats in one of his runway shows, and I have one of each hanging in my spare room!
