Bike helmets for kids

Comfort 

Start by figuring out the correct size based on head circumference. To measure, wrap a flexible tape measure around the child’s head about 2cm above their eyebrows. Or you can wrap a string around their head and measure it with a yardstick. Once you have the right helmet size, position it on their head, making sure that it’s level and that the front of the helmet sits about an inch above the eyebrows. Adjust the side straps and chin strap so that it’s fairly snug beneath the chin. You should be able to fit one or two fingers between the strap and their chin. Make sure it’s properly secured by pressing the helmet forward and back. It shouldn’t shift or move on their head.  

Type of riding

Driveway laps? Riding to school? Learning to jump at the local bike park? Most bike helmets for kids are versatile enough for different riding styles, but if you have a young mountain biker or future road racer, you may want to consider one that targets those types of activities. For more advanced young riders, consider the helmet construction: Higher-end helmets are usually made with in-mold construction, with a polycarbonate outer shell ponded to the EPS foam layer so that the two form a single piece. This type of construction usually results in lighter, more ventilated helmet options. 

Safety

This is what matters most when choosing a kids’ helmet. You can look for certain safety features, including our Mips® safety system and other special functions, but the first step is to make sure the helmet is certified to helmet standards in your country. There are many different standards worldwide, but some of the most common ones include Europe’s General Product Safety Regulations (GPSR) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in the U.S. Any helmet you are considering purchasing for a child should be certified by the latest safety standards.

Style

Kids’ helmets come in all kinds of fun colors and styles. The best way to get a child to always wear their helmet is to find the one with the cool dinosaur print, neon swirls, or racing stripes that they love. Some kids’ helmets have an attached visor that they might like, others a rounder profile like a traditional road riding helmet. Look for fun details such as magnetic buckles, integrated safety lights and compatibility with a winter liner for cold temperatures. 

Rotational management

This is the reason why Mips’ products exist. We have done the research. We have the data.  Studies show that when you crash and hit your head, it’s most often an angled impact. This creates rotational motion, and the brain is very sensitive to this. So, this part is easy: just be sure to pick a helmet that’s equipped with a Mips® safety system, which is intended to help reduce rotational forces to the head when falling at an angled impact.