when it's so old and tatty it smells and the padding is so flat it doesn't fit, or if it literally falls to bits.
Last hat lasted 12 years and had numerous falls from my youngster and a couple of concussions in it. (stands up and waits to be shot) replaced it basically becuse while galloping round a cross country it kept falling off the back of my head with the wind and just stayed on with the the chin strap round my neck!!
this is not what is recommended. I probably wouldn't let myself get into that state again. The new hats on the market are so much better now though and I am a little more fashion concious, so will probably change when I feel that mine is either obviously damaged or everyone else at the yard has a cool new style.
(waits to be shot again)
My hat I have had for about 8 years...it smells and is just starting to give me a head ache...I have landed on it more times than I can remember but I will buy a new one soon...promise
I normally have several hats of different types on the go at any one time. Oldest one is a GPA which I have had for 6 years but I have just replaced it even though I had never fallen off in it or dropped it. None of the hats I currently wear are any older than 2 years.
not often enough lol, but ihave 2, one velvet which i don't like which i wear when i'm playing with the baby or work in progress horse and a ventair which i wear for proper riding