When do you replace your hat?

Inthesticks

Inthesticks

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What would make you replace you hat, so what level of fall or Knock would make you replace it, would it have to be obviously cracked inside or just the fact that you hit your head?

Thanks in advance
 
Never ever just replace a hat just because its not visibly damaged, modern hats take quite a bit of force to crack etc, but can still compromise the protection they offer. Really I would say any fall where you're hat connects with the floor or horse means you should replace it. Maybe not a fall where you make ground contact elsewhere but then roll away from horse & hat gently touches floor whilst rolling. Any other scenario yes.
 
I replaced one that had a tear in the velvet cover after a fall. Then I replaced one that was dropped (not by me) about six feet onto concrete.

ETA. The dropped hat had no visable damage.
 
I replace mine when it's growing it's own life-form inside it and smells like like an gym freak's armpit. Is that the right answer?
 
I have just thrown away my show hat. No visible damage but as hit head really hard on floor ending up with concussion I don't want to risk wearing it again
 
Holly Hocks said:
I replace mine when it's growing it's own life-form inside it and smells like like an gym freak's armpit. Is that the right answer?
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See I think yes, but we are the minority obviously. I know there is the rule of a head hit = replace it but just wondered if everyone did that automatically, I have ordered a new hat because I had a fall last year and hit my head on one corner of my hat, gave myself a lovely jubbly shiner but honestly forgot to replace my hat, maybe as there was no obvious signs of damage... Have slapped myself!
 
I've just replaced my hat recently, it was looking a little shabby and worn, dropped it a couple of times too.

The Saddlery told me that hats only have a shelf life of 5yrs, then they get rid of them as they deteriorate. Food for thought!
 
This will be my second year of owning the hat that I currently have, I have fallen a good few times in it by now but I honestly don't remember if I hit my head hard (That's not a good sign!), it also has had a few drops. I really should get a new hat but to be honest, my current one is so comfy and I'm tight enough with money at the moment! I only ride every fortnight but if I rode on a daily basis then I would go buy a new one more willingly.
 
I would replace mine if I fell off and banged my head, or if I accidentally dropped it. That said I know it's an expensive piece of kit so I look after it. I have a hat bag where it lives
:-) Once I'm finished riding I take my hat off and put it in the bag. A few seconds to protect an investment is worth it. I also replace my hat after 3 years of use. I have one head. For the sake of less than £100 over 3 years it's not worth anything less.
 
If it hasn't had a fall - every 5 years as the plastic does deteriorate. Especially if you leave your helmet in the car.

After a heavy fall.

Damage on the outside rarely ever shows - the protection is the dense layer of poystyrene inside the shell which compresses to absorb the impact of the fall. The dent it creates internally does not recover and remains compressed. If you fall on that spot again your brain is not well protected.
 
I generally don't hit my head when I fall... The old tuck and roll routine... I have 3 hats on the go, daily hat, show hat and skull cap, I last hit my head 9 yrs ago so I replaced that hat, I bought a new 'daily' hat because my old one stank about 4 yrs ago so it lasted quite a while, the skull cap and show hat only come out for special occasions
 
I've replaced mine after 4 years, no knocks etc just replaced it with a flasher more expensive model. It now lives in its hat bag, funnily enough.
 
Every 5 yrs, or less if it had a hard knock.
Same as for our bike (motorbike) helmets - they also have shelf life of 5 years too.

Both also get a clean on the inside. Bike helmets easier as the Arai's i use have removeable lining so comes out to go in wash every weekend or after hot ride etc.

What I detest is seeing the insides of some peoples hats (have a right old phobia about seeing mildew, gunge or layers of dirt in hats!). How can they put something so disgusting on their head - have seen the MOST well presented person in good qual riding gear, clean horse, clean tack & nice clean hair etc pull on a hat with old sweat caked onto the lining............. :eek:

Hats, the neglected part of many peoples riding gear..........
 
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