How old is your hat?

I have an everyday one whcih is about 5 years old and a smart one which is older but has been worn less. I've fallen off quite a few times in both of them but not hit my head, but probably should replace them.
most people don't realise that body protectors need t replaced every few years as well as the foam degrades and doesn't offer the same protection, even if you only wear it now and again.
 
Oooops......just had a little think...my 'everyday' hat is about 5 years old...

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Never had a fall in it where I have hit my head but its dropped off my bales of hay a few times and is looking a bit tatty and sad....I know I need a new one, thanks for the reminder
 
I got a new GPA this year to replace a 8year old GPA which I had had a few falls in. I have CO old school SJ2000 which is hardly ever warn (generally when hacking out with a friend that hasn't got one so borrows another) had a few pretty shocking falls in it so really it needs to go. My beagler is about 4 years old and never had a fall and mostly only warn at shows.
 
This post makes me feel better!
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I've fallen off numerous times in mine and had it quite a few years now but they're so expensive to replace it's always gone on the back burner tbh. I always felt bad about it but I'm glad to know other people leave it a while too!
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When I did my hat fitting training we were told a hat should be replaced at least every 4 years, even if it had never been fallen off in/ dropped, because the foam and padding would degerate. If the hat is kept in the car, your hat should be replace at least every 2 years, as the changing temperatures will cause the materials to degenerate faster (I assume this also includes in your lorry). Your hat should also be in a protective bag when in your car or lorry to stop it rolling around, and sunlight damage. If you look under the padded headband in your hat, there should be a sticker that will tell you when the hat was manufactured, so you know when you need to replace it. Personally I change my everyday hat every 6 months, regardless of if I have had a fall or not, as I generally ride at least 5 horses a day, so I practically live in it! If I have a bad fall in a hat i replace it straight away. I got a new competition skull cap for xc a couple of months ago, had a bad fall first time I used it, so I replaced it!
 
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