Your Pre-Season Helmet Safety Check: What to Inspect Before Your First Ride

The start of a new riding season always feels the same — excitement, anticipation, and that urge to get back on the bike as soon as the weather cooperates. Before you do, there’s one simple habit every rider should build into their routine: Check your helmet.

Helmets are safety equipment, not just gear. And after months of storage, even a helmet that looks perfectly fine deserves a quick inspection before your first ride of the season. The good news? It only takes about two minutes.

Why Pre-Season Helmet Checks Matter

Most helmets spend the off-season sitting on a shelf, in a garage, or packed away with other gear. During that time, things can change:

• Foam liners can stiffen or compress

• Fit can change subtly over time
  

• Retention systems can loosen or feel different than you remember
  
  

None of this means your helmet is unsafe — but it does mean it’s worth checking before you ride.

At Voss, we believe informed riders are safer riders. A quick pre-season inspection helps you ride with confidence instead of guessing.

Step 1: Check the Shell and Exterior

Start with the obvious.

Take a slow look around the helmet shell and vents:

• Look for cracks, spidering, or soft spots
  

• Pay attention to edges, vent openings, and high-stress areas
  

• Think back — has the helmet been dropped or knocked off a shelf since last season?
  
  

If the shell shows visible damage or has taken a hard impact, it’s time to pause and reassess before riding.

Step 2: Inspect the Liner and Interior Padding

Next, check what actually absorbs impact.

• Press the liner foam — it should compress and rebound
  
  

• Feel for hardened, brittle, or uneven areas
  
  

• Make sure comfort pads are secure and seated correctly
  
  

If the liner doesn’t rebound or feels significantly different than before, that’s a sign it may not perform as intended.

Step 3: Inspect the Chin Strap and Retention System

This is one of the most important — and most overlooked — checks.

A helmet can only protect you if it stays on your head.

• Look closely at the chin strap and buckle for cracks, separation, or loose stitching
  
  

• Buckle and unbuckle it a few times — engagement should feel smooth and secure
  
  

• Give the strap a firm downward tug to confirm it holds without shifting
  
  

If anything feels loose, inconsistent, or unusual, stop riding and get it checked. When it comes to retention systems, guessing isn’t worth the risk.

Step 4: Check Fit and Visibility

Finally, put the helmet on.

• It should feel snug and secure, not loose or wobbly
  
  

• Shake your head — the helmet shouldn’t move independently
  
  

• Check the visor or shield for scratches, distortion, or excessive fogging
  
  

Even small fit changes can affect protection, comfort, and focus on the road.

When to Ask for Help

If something doesn’t feel right — even if you can’t explain why — trust that instinct.

Don’t try to “ride through it” and don’t guess. Our team is always here to help you decide what’s normal, what needs attention, and what your next step should be.

Make Safety Part of Your Season Start

A pre-season helmet check isn’t about being cautious — it’s about being prepared.

That’s why we’ve created a free Helmet and Gear Safety Checklists to help riders quickly inspect their helmet and riding gear before the first ride of the year.

👉 Bookmark the Free Gear Safety Checklist 

Ride smart. Ride confident.
— Voss Helmets