Helmet brow pads disintegrating

Not really helpful, but I always wear a lightweight cycling cap under my helmet, both MTB and road, and the pads never need replacing.

I use some cheap Decathlon ones and don't find it makes my head much hotter.

Mine always seem to go the same way. Some brands seem better at supplying replacement pads sets than others. Bontrager and Giro, for example. No doubt they would point us to the idea that you should be replacing your lid every few years anyway.

Sounds like rinsing the pads so frequently is your issue. They probably don't expect to be manhandled so much, unless you rinse them whilst still in the helmet? Pulling them off the velcro every time is going to stress them given how thin and flimsy they are.

I too agree that pulling them off every ride is not what they are specified to withstand.

I do rinse pads a few times a year.

I've never had pads fall apart until I'm thinking of changing a bonnet anyway.

You don't need official pads, loads on the internet and/or get some velcro dots so you can fit a different shape - they'll do the same job.

Also agree that if you've had a few years, you might think about replacing anyway. Evidence is mixed about whether time and UV etc., degrades the materials; in matters of my head better safe than sorry is my opinion.

Thanks, most of the time they are rinsed in situ. If I were to leave them, unrinsed for a few rides, they would stink (and maybe the salty sweat would do the same sort of damage to pads?) I've no problem replacing the helmets inners annually or however frequently needed...they just don't seem fit for purpose.

Most cycle helmet manufacturors seem to recommend washing/rinsing after each ride. They also make mention of their 'removable pads' and that sweat, skin oils etc do the pads no good at all, long term.

The last 2 helmets came with no spares. 

Internet bits and "make do" has it then...

My Fox helmet came with a spare pad, which is really appreciated, but one of them is now breaking apart. I recently got into the habit of removing the pad after every ride (very little air flow through helmet due to slow speed technical trials riding, resulting in very sweaty head) to rinse and hang out in the sun - because I also use it for commuting too, if I didn't rinse it'd be extremely smelly within a couple of weeks. Probably shouldn't have scrunched it up in the shower with shampoo I guess.

Anyway, last time I looked all the single piece after market replacement pads all had four arms (central gap) instead of five (central arm) which just happens to be what I need for all my helmets. Opted for the cheap pads off Amazon, in separate pieces, as a pack with velcro dots. Total rubbish.

Ive done the generic pads and velcro dots thing, and also washed pads in a delicates bag in the wash. They lasted pretty well by washing them that way. But most recently I've been using an Oakley DRT5 with the sweat gutter thing, and no need for pads, and no sweat running down my face

Needle and thread then run very rough stitches around the edge of each pad. And by rough, I mean the kind that a five year old would do.

It's not the Bayeaux Tapestry or a Persian rug, it should take less than half an hour. The last two sets are still absolutely fine despite me writing off both helmets. Now I have spare pads in case any of the new ones go walkabout. I tend to stick with the same helmet manufacturer and model where possible - they've saved my bacon twice.

I get pretty sweaty in the head and hardly ever wash or rinse the helmet pads - but I always soak up the sweat by pressing kitchen roll against the pads after every ride. None of my pads have disintegreated. Nor do they smell.

I’m due to buy a new lid soon, and in the past I’ve noticed that the pads start to come apart, basically because the material is high-frequency welded around the edges, and the material just comes apart. What I will probably do is maybe get some spares then get them stitched from new to keep them together.

Giro sell spare pad sets for current helmets - Ive ordered a few sets to extend the life of mine.

Thanks for the replies, I've ordered a set of pads online, not specific but they may do. As well as 'fit', I'll have to look into pad availability, next time I get a new helmet...

as above, i always rinse in situ.

Ive often thought helmets should always be provided with a spare set of pads. That would get me a couple of years out of a helmet, and at that points its probably due replacement anyway

All the pads seem to have got worse.  I used to reliably be able to remove pads, put them in a shorts pocket and put them through the washing machine a number of times.  On all the helmets I've had in the last 10 years even careful handwashing normally results in them delaminating.  

Most manufacturers sell replacement pad sets, but only for their current helmets.  If it's Giro that's ok as they usually keep a design going for years, but not so good with manufacturers who seem to change their design ever year or two as by the time you need them they've deleted them. 

If you don't want a full cap, then a ~40mm strip cut from a buff* seems to do a good job in place of them and is much better sat stopping the sweat running down whilst no warmer than normal.

As for those not washing their helmets 🤢. Do you not wash your jersey either?

*not a real buff, keep an eye out for the ones made from a slightly thicker material, more like a winter base layer.