Is it safe to buy a second-hand helmet?

In-depth explanation

Buying a used helmet carries risks because you cannot be sure of its crash history or internal liner condition. Unless you can fully verify that it has never been involved in an impact and it’s within the manufacturer’s usable lifespan with no signs of wear, avoid used helmets for primary use. If you accept a used helmet, inspect for cracks, compressed EPS, missing certification labels, odours, and excessive wear; prefer new for safety.

Key takeaways

• Buying a used helmet carries risks because you cannot be sure of its crash history or internal liner condition.
• Unless you can fully verify that it has never been involved in an impact and it’s within the manufacturer’s usable lifespan with no signs of wear, avoid used helmets for primary use.
• If you accept a used helmet, inspect for cracks, compressed EPS, missing certification labels, odours, and excessive wear; prefer new for safety.

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