Hat advice please (although I think I know the answer!)

[_MizElz_]

I have a GPA Titium hat that I absolutely adore. It is now 12/13 years old, used only very lightly (mainly for competition) and has NEVER been in a fall or had any impact.

My question is, do I need to replace it based on age alone? I've just had a baby so all my self-preservation instincts are kicking in, but money is tight and you can't get that model of hat any more, so I'm loathed to get rid if I don't need to...

Thanks in advance!

 

[Tiarella]

Yes!! Hahaa. Aren't they only meant to last like 4 years anyway?

 

[OldNag]

Yes!! Hahaa. Aren't they only meant to last like 4 years anyway?

I thought they were supposed to be replaced every 3 years... I have to say, I don't think you can guarantee its effectiveness if it's 13 years old even if it's been carefully looked after.

 

[Skib]

I asked yesterday about buying a better spec hat for a 12 year old. And I had to do some quick revision of standards. The life of a hat is 5 years due to deterioration of foam.
More important to me is the difference in safety standards, which are constantly improving. I am an older rider and I hack, so though the number of times I fall has gone right down, I do fall from time to time. Always unscathed, but leaving me with a considerable catalogue of falls and replacement hats.
I noticed that my most recent fall from canter onto tarmac in the latest model hat was a great improvement from the old days when the edge of my hat would chop into the back of my neck, what I called the guillotine effect. And reading on line, I see that this is due to recent (possibly 2011) improved padding round the edges of hats.
I posted yesterday because I remain extremely confused about hat standards and what one should look for - but I do know that, even in shops, hats have a shelf life and it is important to buy one of recent manufacture.