Comfort and fit
Once you have a helmet selected, position it on the child’s head. The front edge should be no more than 1-inch above the eyebrows and the back of the helmet should not touch the nape of the neck. The helmet should sit level, and you may want to see if it fits well with their goggles on. Next, tighten the adjustable dial and adjust the 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.
Safety certifications
This is what matters most when choosing a 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 the ASTM F2040 snow helmet certification in the U.S., and the CE EN1077 certification in Europe.
Conditions and terrain
There’s a difference between helmets for toddlers who are just starting out and more advanced young skiers and snowboarders who have graduated to more advanced terrain.
Some helmets include vents that can be open or closed, a handy option that can protect kids from the cold (closed) or prevent them from overheating (open) when temperatures warm up. Some have removable liners that can be washed or removed, and detachable ear pads for skiing or snowboarding in warmer spring conditions.
Style and special features
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 colors and design that they love. More advanced kids’ helmets might have special features such as adjustable brims, which can help with goggle compatibility. It’s best to make sure their goggles are compatible with the helmet so there’s no gap between them. To prevent fogging, air should be able to flow up through the bottom of the goggles, through the holes on top, and into the helmet brim vents. Other features include adjustable fit systems and audio compatibility with interior speakers or small pockets in the ear pads to place aftermarket speakers.
Rotational management
This is the whole reason Mips exists. We have done the research. We have the data. Studies show that when you crash and hit your head, it’s most common to fall at an angle. 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 Mips® safety system, so you can minimize rotational motion and reduce the risk of brain injuries.
