"total deathtrap" is a wild exaggeration.
The expiration dates are to force you to keep buying them instead of re-using what you already have.
The expiration dates are to force you to keep buying them instead of re-using what you already have.
Maybe. I do think that the foam they use for impact absorption[1] has a limited life, and degrades over time.
[1] I assume it's the same or similar foam they use in motorcycle helmets, which degrade over time. I personally won't use an old helmet (say, 4 years), even if it has an expiration date in the future (which I also never check - I know when I buy it, so I know when I am going to replace it).
Sarcasm ;-)