Q: How should I store my new riding hat?
A: Caring for your riding hat is important not only to keep it looking good but, more importantly, to allow it to continue providing the same high level of protection for your head and neck.
After riding, you want to store your hat away from direct heat and in a place where it is not likely to be dropped or knocked off onto the floor. It is a good idea to keep it in a hat bag for added protection.
If your hat gets wet, dab it with a clean towel and leave it to dry. Never put your hat on a direct heat source like a radiator or in the sun to dry or let it get very cold. This is because the inner shock absorbent section of the helmet is commonly made from expanded polystyrene, which is damaged not only by impact but also by exposure to heat. This damage reduces the shock-absorbing ability of the material and, thus, the helmet.
The inside of the hat can usually be refreshed with the manufacturer’s specified products, and removable liners can often be washed in a non-biological detergent and replaced when dry.
The best advice, however, is to keep the manufacturer’s care instructions that you got when you bought the hat and be sure to follow them.