Body protector and hat left in hot car!

[Dapplegrey_]

Hi all, a bit stressed as I only just got a new body protector two months ago (Airowear AirMesh II) and accidentally left it in the car from Saturday night until this afternoon (Monday) in 26 degree heat… Really silly, I know! I just went down to rescue it about half an hour ago when I remembered and it was very soft, particularly the back, which was the side that was face down. I’ve hung it up and left it and it’s regained a bit of its firmness now but it’s still definitely a bit more flexible at the back than I imagine it should be. I’m planning on leaving it for a bit and seeing how it feels later on but I’m still wondering is there a chance I’ve totally ruined it and need to replace it or should it be ok?

I also left my hat in car with it which I’m also concerned about. If anyone could advise that would be great - not loving the idea of forking out another £200+ for a new body protector so soon after buying this one

 

[Skib]

This is not a scientific reply. But I assume your bp is still OK.

OH and I took our bps and hats with us whenever we went to USA touring Texas and National Parks in summer.
I wore them in mid-day very hot weather when riding in Texas. While we walked or climbed in National Parks, the helmets and bps were left in the boot of the hire car. And they were in the boot or on the back seat when we were driving. Nothing seemed to come to any harm.

I suggest that if the change seems significant, you ask the makers. But I think bps are supposed to soften up with one's body warmth as one wears them.

My latest bp has far more holes in it than the old ones used to. Aerowear air mesh like yours I think. So it is bound to be more flexible. In theory what stops it flexing, is the tension casued when you pull it tight round you. But even in the UK my polo shirt is always soaked with sweat where it is under the bp when riding. Had a 1 oclock lesson in full sun in this heat wave last week. And was soaking with sweat.

I learned to ride at a relatively old age and for me the point of a bp is that in a slithering sideways fall, even in canter and even onto tarmac the bp has functioned for me a bit like a mattress. The area of my body above and below the bp may well be bruised on impact. But one is far more protected from uneven ground and any softness or flexibility is not too relevant.

I usually replace my bp after about 4 years. But I have never once worried about it.

 

[Dapplegrey_]

Thank you so much for your kind and detailed response, Skib! I had got myself worked up reading advice online about not exposing them to extremes of temperature but I think I may have been making a fuss out of nothing. I think, like you say, everyone who regularly wears bps are going to be out and about with them in the heat at the moment - presumably they should be able to withstand it to some degree!

Bit of an update: I actually just called the tack shop that fitted it (yes I was that concerned lol) and they very kindly called Charles Owen who said it should be fine and will regain its shape after a while when it’s been left to cool down - so was very relieved to hear that! Much ado about nothing after all…

 

[The Xmas Furry]

I left a pretty new scull hat in my car in Sept 18 when weather was still v hot. It wasnt directly in sun, but after a week I fished it out (had forgotten it was there) and on putting it on, I could hear the inside cracking a bit. Removed it and placed my hands on each side and lightly pressed and the creaking of the inner shell wasn't good. Popped over to local saddler where I'd got it from 4 months prior and owner was appalled at it. They sent it off and Gatehouse inspected it and reported back that the intense heat had accelerated degradation of the inner protective shell. I was very fortunate to get a voucher for a good part of a replacement lid.

 

[Coblover63]

I'm sure they'll both be fine as a one-off.... but I wouldn't make a habit of it.

 

[ester]

Glad the manufacturer has confirmed.
My hat had to spend much of last week in my car and I couldn't use the boot as had a bike in there too. I kept it in a cool bag!

 

[Dapplegrey_]

I left a pretty new scull hat in my car in Sept 18 when weather was still v hot. It wasnt directly in sun, but after a week I fished it out (had forgotten it was there) and on putting it on, I could hear the inside cracking a bit. Removed it and placed my hands on each side and lightly pressed and the creaking of the inner shell wasn't good. Popped over to local saddler where I'd got it from 4 months prior and owner was appalled at it. They sent it off and Gatehouse inspected it and reported back that the intense heat had accelerated degradation of the inner protective shell. I was very fortunate to get a voucher for a good part of a replacement lid.

That’s interesting to hear as I’m a bit concerned about the hat as well but I only heard back re the body protector. I’m considering calling CO myself directly to see what they advise on that front - I know you’re not meant to expose them to high temperatures and I definitely don’t want to take any risks with my hat… The hat seems fine but from what I’ve heard there can be damage that may not be immediately apparent. I’m glad you managed to get it replaced!

 

[Dapplegrey_]

I'm sure they'll both be fine as a one-off.... but I wouldn't make a habit of it.

Thanks Coblover, Yeah for sure, I definitely won’t be doing that again - lesson learnt!

 

[Dapplegrey_]

Glad the manufacturer has confirmed.
My hat had to spend much of last week in my car and I couldn't use the boot as had a bike in there too. I kept it in a cool bag!

Yeah it’s great to have that reassurance - they said the bp should be fine, I’m not sure about the hat tho. That’s a good idea re the cool bag! I feel so stupid for leaving mine just sitting in the back of my car in this weather ?‍

 

[IrishMilo]

I always keep my hats in the car no matter what the weather... it never occurred to me not to! What does the heat do to it?

 

[Dapplegrey_]

I always keep my hats in the car no matter what the weather... it never occurred to me not to! What does the heat do to it?

To be honest I didn’t know about this either until very recently but apparently it can cause the materials to degrade and make the hat less effective if it were to take a hit!

 

[ester]

It can distort the 'foam' definitely a few instances pop up each year, in particular people leaving them on the parcel shelf...then the manufacturer refusing to refund.

 

[Dapplegrey_]

As a bit of an aside on the topic of hats, I came across this video recently by This Esme…

(The discussion around this starts at about 7 minutes in)

Basically she had had a fall where she had hit her head and her hat had taken quite a bit of impact. The hat looked totally fine from the outside but when she had it analysed by Charles Owen you could see the inner lining had a huge crack. Pretty crazy - it just really made me think a lot about how important it is to replace your hat if you drop it/have a fall/think it might be damaged in any way because a lot of the time the damage isn’t visible, even if it’s significant.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

When we get temporary high 20s the car can reach high 30s to low 40s inside.
Ester has a very good suggestion of a cool bag for storage.
Mine usually lives in an insulated bag in my cool hay barn.
That summer I was ride jobbing so hence gear was with me in car. Never again.