After witnessing the amount of damage the shell of a *cheap* DOT rated helmet can take without compressing the foam inside the helmet, I dont bat an eye if the helmet takes a small tumble from my bike while resting. It took probably 40 hits with a 15lb shovel/axe before I started to break though the fiberglass on this old helmet. Inside the foam was only damaged on the areas that the sharp edge of the axe poked through or bent the shell. No way a normal drop with the thing being empty is going to ruin it or lessen its ability to save your head in a crash.
For the doubters that want fact, google up the Jay Leno video where he talks to the Arai helmet representative about improperly sized helmets. The question comes up and the statement is that from a height of 5-6 feet if you dont have about 15lbs of head inside the helmet the foam wont compress in a fall.
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