Can riding hats be checked for damage after a fall?

[MagicMelon]

After falling off a few days ago and bashing my head pretty nicely, I'm gutted at the thought of having to replace my expensive hat! Is there any such thing that can check a hat for damage nowadays, like a scanner?! Sounds crazy I know, but you'd think something could do it and you'd just pay a bit to send it off to get checked!

 

[twobearsarthur]

No there isn't, any bump even dropping a hat on the floor can affect the protective qualities. The only way to be safe is to replace it.

 

[longdog]

Sadly no. The damage sustained is often undetectable as hats are constructed of millions of tiny air bubbles (to be simplistic!) which burst on impact. This is what protects your head & why you always need to replace a hat if you have had a fall. At least our hats don't cost as much as a motor bike helmet. That WOULD be an expensive fall. Your head is ultimately irreplaceable - don't take the risk

 

[MagicMelon]

At least our hats don't cost as much as a motor bike helmet. That WOULD be an expensive fall.

Hmm my riding hat cost about the same as my motorbike helmet (which I've also fallen off in, well at slow speed a few times!). Nowadays, some riding helmets are MORE expensive than some motorbike ones which you can get some cheapo ones of.

Darn, I cant afford a new hat! I was just about to fork out for a new velvet one as I need one, but now I need a new skull one too?! AGH!

 

[tinap]

Well I thought not but I read a thread on facebook about how someone had had a bad head fall, hat had gone to the makers to he checked for damage & repainted where it had been marked. Sounds bizarre to me, I would much rather be safe & fork out for another xx