{"id":118448,"date":"2026-04-20T13:13:34","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T13:13:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/20\/best-kids-bike-helmets-2026-safe-helmets-for-children\/"},"modified":"2026-04-20T13:13:34","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T13:13:34","slug":"best-kids-bike-helmets-2026-safe-helmets-for-children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/20\/best-kids-bike-helmets-2026-safe-helmets-for-children\/","title":{"rendered":"Best kids\u2019 bike helmets 2026: Safe helmets for children"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<p><a id=\"elk-tabletopwidget\"\/><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-hawk-json=\"{&quot;buyingGuideBlocksData&quot;:[{&quot;modelName&quot;:&quot;Bern Nino 2.0 Kids Helmet,Bern Nino 2.0 Youth Bike Helmet,Bern Nino 2.0 MIPS youth&quot;,&quot;navigationLink&quot;:&quot;#section-best-overall&quot;,&quot;starRating&quot;:0,&quot;productName&quot;:&quot;1. Bern Nino 2.0 MIPS &quot;,&quot;productHeader&quot;:&quot;Best overall&quot;,&quot;pros&quot;:[&quot;Cool designs&quot;,&quot;No need to adjust the rear cradle&quot;,&quot;Winter accessories available&quot;,&quot;Light available as an accessory&quot;],&quot;cons&quot;:[&quot;Standard Buckle&quot;],&quot;reviewText&quot;:&quot;Skate-style helmets have a reputation for being heavy and lacking ventilation\\u2014 the Bern Nino 2.0 bucks that trend. It comes with the extended coverage you'd expect from a skate-style lid, but Bern has trimmed the weight and added more ventilation than most other helmets in this category.&quot;,&quot;specs&quot;:[{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Sizes&quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;S (52 \\u2013 55.5cm \\\/ 20.5 \\u2013 21.9in), M (55.5 \\u2013 59cm \\\/ 21.9 \\u2013 23.2in)&quot;},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Ages&quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;2-5yrs&quot;},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Colours available &quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;Matte Black, Matte Lime, Matte Grapefruit, Matte Shark Bite, Metallic Space Splat, Matte Fun Fruits, Satin Galaxy Pearl&quot;},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Visor &quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;Removable soft visor&quot;},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Rotational Impact Protection &quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;MIPS&quot;}],&quot;reviewId&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/go.redirectingat.com?id=92X588377&amp;xcust=hawk-custom-tracking&amp;xs=1&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fberneurope.com%2Fproducts%2Fnina-dvrt-bike-helmet-metallic-silver-shark-bite&amp;sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cyclingnews.com%2Ffeatures%2Fbest-kids-bike-helmets&quot;,&quot;linkText&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;merchantName&quot;:&quot;berneurope.com&quot;},&quot;imageUrl&quot;:&quot;http:\\\/\\\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\\\/2HKLPEx99BhM2BvfYsJH3E.jpg&quot;,&quot;linkMerchant&quot;:&quot;berneurope.com&quot;},{&quot;modelName&quot;:&quot;Fox Racing Youth Mainframe&quot;,&quot;navigationLink&quot;:&quot;#section-best-value&quot;,&quot;starRating&quot;:0,&quot;productName&quot;:&quot;2. Fox Racing Youth Mainframe Helmet&quot;,&quot;productHeader&quot;:&quot;Best Value&quot;,&quot;pros&quot;:[&quot;Replaceable visor&quot;,&quot;Adult style&quot;,&quot;Lots of ventilation\\u00a0&quot;,&quot;Lightweight&quot;],&quot;cons&quot;:[&quot;Lacks vertical rear cradle adjustment&quot;,&quot;Old style MIPS liner&quot;],&quot;reviewText&quot;:&quot;Fox Racing needs little introduction in the mountain biking world, and the Youth Mainframe is the brand's masterpiece for a proper kids' mountain bike helmet. It takes the design of the well-regarded Speedframe helmet and scales it down without cutting corners.&quot;,&quot;specs&quot;:[{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Sizes available &quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;OS (48\\u201352cm \\\/ 18.9\\u201320.5in)&quot;},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Ages&quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;6+yrs&quot;},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Colours available &quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;Slate blue, Flo Red, Tortoise\\\/Bronze, Flo Yellow&quot;},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Visor &quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;Integrated&quot;},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Rotational Impact Protection &quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;MIPS&quot;}],&quot;reviewId&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;linkText&quot;:&quot;&quot;},&quot;imageUrl&quot;:&quot;http:\\\/\\\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\\\/7MPh7UADcryyBe3KZxnQaD.jpg&quot;},{&quot;modelName&quot;:&quot;Nutcase Helmets Little Nutty&quot;,&quot;navigationLink&quot;:&quot;#section-best-style&quot;,&quot;starRating&quot;:0,&quot;productName&quot;:&quot;3. Nutcase Helmets Little Nutty &quot;,&quot;productHeader&quot;:&quot;Best Style &quot;,&quot;pros&quot;:[&quot;Plastic exterior protects against small drops and bumps&quot;,&quot;Amazing designs&quot;,&quot;Visor is included and optional\\u00a0&quot;,&quot;Magnetic buckle that won\\u2019t pinch&quot;],&quot;cons&quot;:[&quot;A bit heavier than the competition&quot;],&quot;reviewText&quot;:&quot;My son has tried a lot of helmets. His usual response is a shrug. When the Nutcase Little Nutty arrived in Watermelon \\u2014 a helmet that looks exactly as you're imagining \\u2014 his eyes lit up, and he wanted to go riding immediately. That says everything you need to know about what Nutcase does differently. Styles rotate regularly, but the brand consistently delivers helmets that kids genuinely want to wear.&quot;,&quot;specs&quot;:[{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Sizes&quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;Toddler (48\\u201352cm \\\/ 18.9\\u201320.5in), Youth (52\\u201356cm \\\/ 20.5\\u201322in)&quot;},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Ages&quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;Toddler: 3-5yrs, Youth: 7yr+&quot;},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Colours available &quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;Huge range of rotating designs&quot;},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Visor&quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;Clip-on included&quot;},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Rotational Impact Protection &quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;MIPS&quot;}],&quot;reviewId&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;linkText&quot;:&quot;&quot;},&quot;imageUrl&quot;:&quot;http:\\\/\\\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\\\/rL4Uv9dhhqBAu6LALUbuZE.jpg&quot;},{&quot;modelName&quot;:&quot;Specialized Shuffle Youth LED,Specialized Shuffle Child LED&quot;,&quot;navigationLink&quot;:&quot;#section-best-visibility&quot;,&quot;starRating&quot;:0,&quot;productName&quot;:&quot;4. Specialized Shuffle Youth LED&quot;,&quot;productHeader&quot;:&quot;Best Visibility &quot;,&quot;pros&quot;:[&quot;Integrated LED&quot;,&quot;Specialized ANGi crash sensor compatibility&quot;,&quot;Side straps don\\u2019t require adjustment&quot;],&quot;cons&quot;:[&quot;Light is difficult to turn on and non-rechargeable&quot;],&quot;reviewText&quot;:&quot;The simplest way to make a young rider more visible is to add more of the best bike lights \\u2014 front, rear, and as many as reasonably possible. Not everyone wants to deal with separate lights for their kid's helmet, though, which is exactly the problem the Specialized Shuffle Youth LED solves. A rear light is built directly into the helmet and turns on with a single press. It's a little stiff to activate, so it's worth switching it on before putting the helmet on your kid's head, rather than fumbling with it after.&quot;,&quot;specs&quot;:[{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Sizes Available &quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;OS Youth (52\\u201357cm \\\/ 20.5\\u201322.4in)&quot;},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Ages&quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;7+&quot;},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Colours Available&quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;Satin Redwood, Satin Smoke, Satin Clay\\\/Cast Umber, Satin Cast Blue Metallic Wild&quot;},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Visor&quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;Clip on&quot;},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Rotational Impact Protection &quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;MIPS&quot;}],&quot;reviewId&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;linkText&quot;:&quot;&quot;},&quot;imageUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\\\/fQPkaVVacnMnQDsavepshn.jpg&quot;},{&quot;modelName&quot;:&quot;Bontrager Jet WaveCel&quot;,&quot;navigationLink&quot;:&quot;#section-best-versatility&quot;,&quot;starRating&quot;:0,&quot;productName&quot;:&quot;5. Bontrager Jet WaveCel&quot;,&quot;productHeader&quot;:&quot;Best Versatility &quot;,&quot;pros&quot;:[&quot;Magnetic buckle&quot;,&quot;Wavecel Technology&quot;,&quot;Uncomplicated visual design&quot;],&quot;cons&quot;:[&quot;Heavy&quot;],&quot;reviewText&quot;:&quot;The Bontrager Jet ticks the two boxes that skate-style helmet buyers are usually looking for: serious coverage and genuine style. Its extended shell protects more of the head than a standard road-style helmet, holds up well to the rough treatment kids tend to give their gear, and looks sharp enough that kids actually want to wear it.&quot;,&quot;specs&quot;:[{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Sizes&quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;Kids (48\\u201352cm \\\/ 18.9\\u201320.5in)&quot;},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Ages&quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;5-8yrs&quot;},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Colours&quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;White\\\/Azure -Gloss, Black\\\/Volt -Matte, Vis Green\\\/Royal-Gloss, Magenta\\\/UltraViolet -Gloss&quot;},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Visor&quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;Integrated&quot;},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Rotational Impact Protection &quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;Wavecel&quot;}],&quot;reviewId&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/classic.avantlink.com\\\/click.php?tt=cl&amp;mi=15585&amp;pw=27131&amp;ctc=hawk-custom-tracking&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.trekbikes.com%2Fgb%2Fen_GB%2Fequipment%2Fbike-accessories%2Fbike-helmets%2Fkids-bike-helmets%2Fbontrager-jet-wavecel-youth-bike-helmet%2Fp%2F31559%2F&quot;,&quot;linkText&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;merchantName&quot;:&quot;Trek Bicycle&quot;,&quot;merchantId&quot;:104606,&quot;merchantNetwork&quot;:&quot;AL&quot;,&quot;merchantUrl&quot;:&quot;trekbikes.com&quot;},&quot;imageUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\\\/9ct3z8saPTYQhssUVtNMcP.jpg&quot;,&quot;linkMerchant&quot;:&quot;Trek Bicycle&quot;},{&quot;modelName&quot;:&quot;Giro Dime MIPS&quot;,&quot;navigationLink&quot;:&quot;#section-best-for-small-heads&quot;,&quot;starRating&quot;:0,&quot;productName&quot;:&quot;6. Giro Dime MIPS&quot;,&quot;productHeader&quot;:&quot;Best for small heads &quot;,&quot;pros&quot;:[&quot;Smaller size available&quot;,&quot;Amazing designs&quot;,&quot;Visor is included and optional\\u00a0&quot;],&quot;cons&quot;:[&quot;\\u00a0Lacks a magnetic buckle\\u00a0&quot;],&quot;reviewText&quot;:&quot;Finding a well-made helmet for very young riders can be extremely difficult, but these two options from Giro cover the earliest riders' noggins better than most.&quot;,&quot;specs&quot;:[{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Sizes &quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;XS (47\\u201351cm \\\/ 18.5\\u201320.1in), S (51\\u201355cm \\\/ 20.1\\u201321.7in)&quot;},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Ages&quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;XS: 3-5yr S: 6yr+&quot;},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Colours available &quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;Matte Black, Matte Blue, Matte Bright Red, Matte Purple, Matte Screaming Teal&quot;},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Visor&quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;None&quot;},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Rotational Impact Protection &quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;MIPS&quot;}],&quot;reviewId&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;linkText&quot;:&quot;&quot;},&quot;imageUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\\\/gFCh5nZrbFYJhB9miG3u3g.jpg&quot;},{&quot;modelName&quot;:&quot;Lazer Nutz Kineticore&quot;,&quot;navigationLink&quot;:&quot;#section-best-for-long-hair&quot;,&quot;starRating&quot;:0,&quot;productName&quot;:&quot;7. Lazer Nutz Kineticore&quot;,&quot;productHeader&quot;:&quot;Best for long hair &quot;,&quot;pros&quot;:[&quot;Great design options&quot;,&quot;Rotational Impact protection without a MIPS liner&quot;,&quot;Extended rear and side protection&quot;,&quot;Cheek buckle&quot;],&quot;cons&quot;:[&quot;Standard buckle&quot;],&quot;reviewText&quot;:&quot;Most helmets on this list use MIPS, but MIPS isn't the only way to get rotational impact protection. For kids with long hair, it isn't always the most practical. The original MIPS liner can catch and pull hair, which is enough to put some riders off an otherwise excellent technology.&quot;,&quot;specs&quot;:[{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Sizes&quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;OS (50\\u201356cm \\\/ 19.7\\u201322.0in)&quot;},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Ages&quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;5-8yrs&quot;},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Colours Available&quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;Space, Black, Black Flash Yellow, Dragons, Butterfly, Unicorns&quot;},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Visor&quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;None&quot;},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Rotational Impact protection&quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;Kineticore&quot;}],&quot;reviewId&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;linkText&quot;:&quot;&quot;},&quot;imageUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\\\/98epcuwgFWq7E7ssJqUwcL.jpg&quot;}]}\" data-model-name=\"Bern Nino 2.0 Kids Helmet,Bern Nino 2.0 Youth Bike Helmet,Bern Nino 2.0 MIPS youth,Fox Racing Youth Mainframe,Nutcase Helmets Little Nutty,Specialized Shuffle Youth LED,Specialized Shuffle Child LED,Bontrager Jet WaveCel,Giro Dime MIPS,Lazer Nutz Kineticore\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-widget-type=\"tabletop\" class=\"hawk-root\"\/>\n<p id=\"elk-ed4e56db-f8b8-42de-807e-8530ac9cbb93\">Learning to ride a bike is one of childhood&#8217;s most prominent memories. Whether your child is wobbling on a balance bike, cruising on two wheels, or riding to school, a quality helmet is non-negotiable. Every helmet in this guide has been worn and tested by real kids \u2014 including my own.<\/p>\n<p>As a parent and lifelong cyclist, there&#8217;s nothing quite like watching a child fall in love with riding. Over the years, we&#8217;ve tested countless kids&#8217; helmets, from early days in a <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/features\/the-best-bike-trailer-for-kids-year-trailer-options-to-bring-your-kids-along-for-the-ride\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/features\/the-best-bike-trailer-for-kids-year-trailer-options-to-bring-your-kids-along-for-the-ride\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/features\/the-best-bike-trailer-for-kids-year-trailer-options-to-bring-your-kids-along-for-the-ride\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">bike trailer<\/a> to full-speed runs around the neighbourhood. No matter where your child&#8217;s interests take them \u2014 road cycling, mountain biking, BMX, or skateboarding \u2014 safety will always be at the top of the list.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"\/><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"\/>\n<p id=\"elk-ed4e56db-f8b8-42de-807e-8530ac9cbb93-2\">My son has worn a helmet on every single ride, and making that stick meant finding helmets he actually wanted to put on. The best kids&#8217; helmets work the same way the best adult helmets do: they need to fit well, feel comfortable, and hold up to everyday use. Style isn&#8217;t an afterthought either \u2014 your kid&#8217;s helmet should look like one they actually want to wear.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Our top picks span a wide range of needs. The Bern Nino 2.0 MIPS is our best overall, the Fox Racing Youth Mainframe is built for the trails, and the Nutcase Little Nutty is the one to grab if your kid wants to stand out from the crowd.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Not sure which helmet is right for your child? Scroll down to the How to Choose and Everything You Need to Know sections for detailed guidance.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mb-6\" id=\"elk-b0ededd8-e296-4c07-9b09-4f24043ac8f0\">\n<div class=\"[&amp;_a]:text-[#2f6e91] [&amp;_a]:visited:text-[#09c] p-5 bg-[#F5F5F5] text-sm text-[#333]\">\n<p class=\"infoUpdate-log tracking-[.02em] pt-2 font-normal\"><strong>Last updated 20th April 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>Checked to ensure all kids&#8217; helmets are current and available. How to choose section reformatted. <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a id=\"elk-1f09b863-b59d-443f-b1fd-d67313ab25be\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"best-kids-bike-helmets-3\">Best kids\u2019 bike helmets<\/h2>\n<p class=\"text-xs leading-5 mb-2 text-left py-2 md:px-4\" id=\"how-we-test\">\n<span class=\"font-bold text-primary-500\">You can trust Cyclingnews<br \/>\n<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"size-3 inline-block text-primary-500\" data-component-name=\"Icon\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\">\n<path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M2.25 12c0-5.385 4.365-9.75 9.75-9.75s9.75 4.365 9.75 9.75-4.365 9.75-9.75 9.75S2.25 17.385 2.25 12Zm13.36-1.814a.75.75 0 1 0-1.22-.872l-3.236 4.53L9.53 12.22a.75.75 0 0 0-1.06 1.06l2.25 2.25a.75.75 0 0 0 1.14-.094l3.75-5.25Z\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\"\/>\n<\/svg><br \/>\n<\/span><br \/>\n<span>Our experts spend countless hours testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/features\/cyclingnews-tech-how-we-test\/\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/features\/cyclingnews-tech-how-we-test\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Find out more about how we test.<\/a><\/span>\n<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-best-overall\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-best-overall\"><span>Best overall <\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\" id=\"elk-85b2a2fd-a584-4d2e-8376-2219b55f2b99\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:2000px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\"> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2HKLPEx99BhM2BvfYsJH3E-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2HKLPEx99BhM2BvfYsJH3E-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2HKLPEx99BhM2BvfYsJH3E-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2HKLPEx99BhM2BvfYsJH3E-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2HKLPEx99BhM2BvfYsJH3E-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2HKLPEx99BhM2BvfYsJH3E-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\"\/>\n<\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Bern Nino 2.0 MIPS youth bike helmet <\/span><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Josh Ross)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"product prog-buying-guide\" id=\"elk-6ee13cad-492d-4d82-8b79-74c481c10dcb\">\n<p><h3 class=\"product__title\" id=\"1-bern-nino-2-0-mips\">1. Bern Nino 2.0 MIPS <\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<p>Best overall<\/p>\n<div class=\"product-summary spec\">\n<h4>Specifications<\/h4>\n<div class=\"product-summary__container\">\n<p><span class=\"spec__name\">Sizes: <\/span><span class=\"spec_value\">S (52 \u2013 55.5cm \/ 20.5 \u2013 21.9in), M (55.5 \u2013 59cm \/ 21.9 \u2013 23.2in)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"spec__name\">Ages: <\/span><span class=\"spec_value\">2-5yrs<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"spec__name\">Colours available : <\/span><span class=\"spec_value\">Matte Black, Matte Lime, Matte Grapefruit, Matte Shark Bite, Metallic Space Splat, Matte Fun Fruits, Satin Galaxy Pearl<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"spec__name\">Visor : <\/span><span class=\"spec_value\">Removable soft visor<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"spec__name\">Rotational Impact Protection : <\/span><span class=\"spec_value\">MIPS<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"product-summary pros\">\n<h4>Reasons to buy<\/h4>\n<div class=\"product-summary__container\"><span class=\"_hawk pros__value\"><span class=\"pros__marker\">+<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Cool designs<\/p>\n<p><\/span><span class=\"_hawk pros__value\"><span class=\"pros__marker\">+<\/span><\/p>\n<p>No need to adjust the rear cradle<\/p>\n<p><\/span><span class=\"_hawk pros__value\"><span class=\"pros__marker\">+<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Winter accessories available<\/p>\n<p><\/span><span class=\"_hawk pros__value\"><span class=\"pros__marker\">+<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Light available as an accessory<\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-e8458460-fc93-45b1-b71b-4470c9c75856\">Skate-style helmets have a reputation for being heavy and lacking ventilation\u2014 the Bern Nino 2.0 bucks that trend. It comes with the extended coverage you&#8217;d expect from a skate-style lid, but Bern has trimmed the weight and added more ventilation than most other helmets in this category.<\/p>\n<p>A lot of that comes down to what Bern calls Zip Mold+ technology. The outer shell uses a tough but lightweight PVC, while the inside is filled with a proprietary liquid-injected foam that&#8217;s precisely formed to use only as much material as necessary. The result is a helmet that&#8217;s resilient enough to survive being knocked around off the head, yet light and comfortable enough to forget about while wearing it.<\/p>\n<p>The real standout feature, though, is the optional cold-weather liner. Rather than stuffing a hat under any old helmet, Bern&#8217;s cold-weather liner slots right into the helmet to keep ears and head warm without compromising fit. It&#8217;s one less thing to keep track of on a chilly morning ride. The one addition that would make this helmet even better is a magnetic buckle \u2014 standard buckles can get pinched in small hands and are easy for kids to get wrong.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-best-value\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-best-value\"><span>Best Value<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\" id=\"elk-b50c5989-4203-4151-bbb1-8303e0805786\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:2000px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\"> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7MPh7UADcryyBe3KZxnQaD-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7MPh7UADcryyBe3KZxnQaD-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7MPh7UADcryyBe3KZxnQaD-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7MPh7UADcryyBe3KZxnQaD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7MPh7UADcryyBe3KZxnQaD-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7MPh7UADcryyBe3KZxnQaD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Best kids bike helmet - Fox Racing Youth Mainframe Helmet\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7MPh7UADcryyBe3KZxnQaD-1200-80.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7MPh7UADcryyBe3KZxnQaD-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7MPh7UADcryyBe3KZxnQaD-970-80.jpg 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7MPh7UADcryyBe3KZxnQaD-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7MPh7UADcryyBe3KZxnQaD-480-80.jpg 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7MPh7UADcryyBe3KZxnQaD-320-80.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7MPh7UADcryyBe3KZxnQaD.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7MPh7UADcryyBe3KZxnQaD.jpg\"\/>\n<\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Fox Racing Youth Mainframe Helmet <\/span><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Josh Ross)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"product prog-buying-guide\" id=\"elk-5d6629fb-82e3-46a3-b876-4e307b84d65d\">\n<p><h3 class=\"product__title\" id=\"2-fox-racing-youth-mainframe-helmet\">2. Fox Racing Youth Mainframe Helmet<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<p>Best Value <\/p>\n<div class=\"product-summary spec\">\n<h4>Specifications<\/h4>\n<div class=\"product-summary__container\">\n<p><span class=\"spec__name\">Sizes available : <\/span><span class=\"spec_value\">OS (48\u201352cm \/ 18.9\u201320.5in)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"spec__name\">Ages: <\/span><span class=\"spec_value\">6+yrs<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"spec__name\">Colours available : <\/span><span class=\"spec_value\">Slate blue, Flo Red, Tortoise\/Bronze, Flo Yellow<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"spec__name\">Visor : <\/span><span class=\"spec_value\">Integrated<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"spec__name\">Rotational Impact Protection : <\/span><span class=\"spec_value\">MIPS<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"product-summary pros\">\n<h4>Reasons to buy<\/h4>\n<div class=\"product-summary__container\"><span class=\"_hawk pros__value\"><span class=\"pros__marker\">+<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Replaceable visor<\/p>\n<p><\/span><span class=\"_hawk pros__value\"><span class=\"pros__marker\">+<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Adult style<\/p>\n<p><\/span><span class=\"_hawk pros__value\"><span class=\"pros__marker\">+<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Lots of ventilation\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><\/span><span class=\"_hawk pros__value\"><span class=\"pros__marker\">+<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Lightweight<\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"product-summary cons\">\n<h4>Reasons to avoid<\/h4>\n<div class=\"product-summary__container\"><span class=\"_hawk cons__value\"><span class=\"cons__marker\">&#8211;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Lacks vertical rear cradle adjustment<\/p>\n<p><\/span><span class=\"_hawk cons__value\"><span class=\"cons__marker\">&#8211;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Old style MIPS liner<\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-13ff9da6-a2b5-47f2-9b74-9b6c15bd5fd6\">Fox Racing needs little introduction in the mountain biking world, and the Youth Mainframe is the brand&#8217;s masterpiece for a proper kids&#8217; mountain bike helmet. It takes the design of the well-regarded Speedframe helmet and scales it down without cutting corners.<\/p>\n<p>Like other mountain bike helmets, the Mainframe sits lower at the back and sides of the head for extra protection, and comes with a generously sized visor to manage glare. At 337g, it feels light on the head and, just as importantly, it looks like a real mountain bike helmet rather than a metered kids&#8217; version.<\/p>\n<p>A couple of limitations are worth noting: the MIPS liner used here is an older style, shared with the adult Speedframe, and it can catch long hair \u2014 we have a helmet perfect for long hair later in this guide. There&#8217;s also no vertical adjustment in the rear cradle, which narrows the overall fit range of the helmet.<\/p>\n<p>Overall, the Youth Mainframe is a strong choice for any kid riding trails. It&#8217;s light, well-ventilated, and comes with a quality visor. If your child is on a mountain bike, this helmet belongs on their head.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-best-style\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-best-style\"><span>Best Style <\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\" id=\"elk-8dde2e24-92db-4c7f-9fe3-847e152a5156\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:2000px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\"> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rL4Uv9dhhqBAu6LALUbuZE-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rL4Uv9dhhqBAu6LALUbuZE-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rL4Uv9dhhqBAu6LALUbuZE-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rL4Uv9dhhqBAu6LALUbuZE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rL4Uv9dhhqBAu6LALUbuZE-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rL4Uv9dhhqBAu6LALUbuZE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Best kids bike helmet - Nutcase Little Nutty\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rL4Uv9dhhqBAu6LALUbuZE-1200-80.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rL4Uv9dhhqBAu6LALUbuZE-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rL4Uv9dhhqBAu6LALUbuZE-970-80.jpg 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rL4Uv9dhhqBAu6LALUbuZE-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rL4Uv9dhhqBAu6LALUbuZE-480-80.jpg 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rL4Uv9dhhqBAu6LALUbuZE-320-80.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rL4Uv9dhhqBAu6LALUbuZE.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rL4Uv9dhhqBAu6LALUbuZE.jpg\"\/>\n<\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Nutcase Helmets Little Nutty <\/span><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Josh Ross)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"product prog-buying-guide\" id=\"elk-03b707d3-4b05-460b-872c-d4f4270eb56c\">\n<p><h3 class=\"product__title\" id=\"3-nutcase-helmets-little-nutty\">3. Nutcase Helmets Little Nutty <\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<p>Best kids\u2019 bike helmet if you want lots of creative styles<\/p>\n<div class=\"product-summary spec\">\n<h4>Specifications<\/h4>\n<div class=\"product-summary__container\">\n<p><span class=\"spec__name\">Sizes: <\/span><span class=\"spec_value\">Toddler (48\u201352cm \/ 18.9\u201320.5in), Youth (52\u201356cm \/ 20.5\u201322in)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"spec__name\">Ages: <\/span><span class=\"spec_value\">Toddler: 3-5yrs, Youth: 7yr+<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"spec__name\">Colours available : <\/span><span class=\"spec_value\">Huge range of rotating designs<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"spec__name\">Visor: <\/span><span class=\"spec_value\">Clip-on included<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"spec__name\">Rotational Impact Protection : <\/span><span class=\"spec_value\">MIPS<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"product-summary pros\">\n<h4>Reasons to buy<\/h4>\n<div class=\"product-summary__container\"><span class=\"_hawk pros__value\"><span class=\"pros__marker\">+<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Plastic exterior protects against small drops and bumps<\/p>\n<p><\/span><span class=\"_hawk pros__value\"><span class=\"pros__marker\">+<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Amazing designs<\/p>\n<p><\/span><span class=\"_hawk pros__value\"><span class=\"pros__marker\">+<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Visor is included and optional\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><\/span><span class=\"_hawk pros__value\"><span class=\"pros__marker\">+<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Magnetic buckle that won\u2019t pinch<\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"product-summary cons\">\n<h4>Reasons to avoid<\/h4>\n<div class=\"product-summary__container\"><span class=\"_hawk cons__value\"><span class=\"cons__marker\">&#8211;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>A bit heavier than the competition<\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-eaf98563-94b5-4b03-8439-23428a78667e\">My son has tried a lot of helmets. His usual response is a shrug. When the Nutcase Little Nutty arrived in Watermelon \u2014 a helmet that looks exactly as you&#8217;re imagining \u2014 his eyes lit up, and he wanted to go riding immediately. That says everything you need to know about what Nutcase does differently. Styles rotate regularly, but the brand consistently delivers helmets that kids genuinely want to wear.<\/p>\n<p>Style isn&#8217;t the only thing going for it, though. The skate-style shell provides extended coverage at the sides and back, and the thick plastic exterior means everyday drops and bumps don&#8217;t immediately ruin the helmet \u2014 a real advantage when kids are, well, kids. MIPS is included too. The trade-off for all that protection is a helmet that sits on the heavier end of the scale.<\/p>\n<p>Sizing-wise, the Little Nutty Youth runs large and suits kids who are approaching adult small territory. Smaller children are better served by the Little Nutty in toddler sizing, and for the youngest riders, Nutcase also makes the Baby Nutty.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-best-visibility\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-best-visibility\"><span>Best Visibility <\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\" id=\"elk-09628f20-8d73-4ce5-826c-f16d40afa4bd\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:1200px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\"> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fQPkaVVacnMnQDsavepshn-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fQPkaVVacnMnQDsavepshn-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fQPkaVVacnMnQDsavepshn-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fQPkaVVacnMnQDsavepshn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fQPkaVVacnMnQDsavepshn-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fQPkaVVacnMnQDsavepshn-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Specialized Shuffle Youth LED on the ground\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fQPkaVVacnMnQDsavepshn-1200-80.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fQPkaVVacnMnQDsavepshn-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fQPkaVVacnMnQDsavepshn-970-80.jpg 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fQPkaVVacnMnQDsavepshn-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fQPkaVVacnMnQDsavepshn-480-80.jpg 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fQPkaVVacnMnQDsavepshn-320-80.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fQPkaVVacnMnQDsavepshn.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fQPkaVVacnMnQDsavepshn.jpg\"\/>\n<\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Specialized Shuffle Youth LED helmet <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"product prog-buying-guide\" id=\"elk-b46246c2-3322-4ad2-9b99-0ba0e9c86473\">\n<p><h3 class=\"product__title\" id=\"4-specialized-shuffle-youth-led\">4. Specialized Shuffle Youth LED<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<p>Best kids\u2019 bike helmet if you want an integrated light<\/p>\n<div class=\"product-summary spec\">\n<h4>Specifications<\/h4>\n<div class=\"product-summary__container\">\n<p><span class=\"spec__name\">Sizes Available : <\/span><span class=\"spec_value\">OS Youth (52\u201357cm \/ 20.5\u201322.4in)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"spec__name\">Ages: <\/span><span class=\"spec_value\">7+<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"spec__name\">Colours Available: <\/span><span class=\"spec_value\">Satin Redwood, Satin Smoke, Satin Clay\/Cast Umber, Satin Cast Blue Metallic Wild<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"spec__name\">Visor: <\/span><span class=\"spec_value\">Clip on<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"spec__name\">Rotational Impact Protection : <\/span><span class=\"spec_value\">MIPS<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"product-summary pros\">\n<h4>Reasons to buy<\/h4>\n<div class=\"product-summary__container\"><span class=\"_hawk pros__value\"><span class=\"pros__marker\">+<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Integrated LED<\/p>\n<p><\/span><span class=\"_hawk pros__value\"><span class=\"pros__marker\">+<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Specialized ANGi crash sensor compatibility<\/p>\n<p><\/span><span class=\"_hawk pros__value\"><span class=\"pros__marker\">+<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Side straps don\u2019t require adjustment<\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"product-summary cons\">\n<h4>Reasons to avoid<\/h4>\n<div class=\"product-summary__container\"><span class=\"_hawk cons__value\"><span class=\"cons__marker\">&#8211;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Light is difficult to turn on and non-rechargeable<\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-e4b2fcc5-f529-4463-8025-0e5d72aa7987\">The simplest way to make a young rider more visible is to add more of the <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/features\/best-bike-lights\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/features\/best-bike-lights\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/features\/best-bike-lights\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">best bike lights <\/a>\u2014 front, rear, and as many as reasonably possible. Not everyone wants to deal with separate lights for their kid&#8217;s helmet, though, which is exactly the problem the Specialized Shuffle Youth LED solves. A rear light is built directly into the helmet and turns on with a single press. It&#8217;s a little stiff to activate, so it&#8217;s worth switching it on before putting the helmet on your kid&#8217;s head, rather than fumbling with it after.<\/p>\n<p>Beyond the light, the Shuffle Youth is a well-rounded mountain bike-style helmet with extended side and rear coverage and a visor included. The side strap connectors are fixed rather than adjustable, but Specialized has positioned them well enough that they rarely need attention. For older kids heading out independently, the helmet is also compatible with the Specialized ANGi crash sensor \u2014 added peace of mind for any parent.<\/p>\n<p>One sizing note: the smaller version of this helmet is sold as the Shuffle Child LED, and the smallest size is the Mio MIPS, which doesn&#8217;t include the integrated light.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-best-versatility\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-best-versatility\"><span>Best Versatility <\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\" id=\"elk-93f20038-41d5-4a5e-bcd5-cea4e5ef86f4\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:1200px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\"> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9ct3z8saPTYQhssUVtNMcP-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9ct3z8saPTYQhssUVtNMcP-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9ct3z8saPTYQhssUVtNMcP-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9ct3z8saPTYQhssUVtNMcP-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9ct3z8saPTYQhssUVtNMcP-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9ct3z8saPTYQhssUVtNMcP-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Bontrager Jet WaveCel kids helmet in red on the ground\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9ct3z8saPTYQhssUVtNMcP-1200-80.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9ct3z8saPTYQhssUVtNMcP-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9ct3z8saPTYQhssUVtNMcP-970-80.jpg 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9ct3z8saPTYQhssUVtNMcP-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9ct3z8saPTYQhssUVtNMcP-480-80.jpg 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9ct3z8saPTYQhssUVtNMcP-320-80.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9ct3z8saPTYQhssUVtNMcP.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9ct3z8saPTYQhssUVtNMcP.jpg\"\/>\n<\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Bontrager Jet WaveCel <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"product prog-buying-guide\" id=\"elk-b7d7b2fc-8113-46d9-8337-4a414a8a5af6\">\n<p><h3 class=\"product__title\" id=\"5-bontrager-jet-wavecel\">5. Bontrager Jet WaveCel<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<p>Best versatile skate style kids\u2019 bike helmet<\/p>\n<div class=\"product-summary spec\">\n<h4>Specifications<\/h4>\n<div class=\"product-summary__container\">\n<p><span class=\"spec__name\">Sizes: <\/span><span class=\"spec_value\">Kids (48\u201352cm \/ 18.9\u201320.5in)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"spec__name\">Ages: <\/span><span class=\"spec_value\">5-8yrs<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"spec__name\">Colours: <\/span><span class=\"spec_value\">White\/Azure -Gloss, Black\/Volt -Matte, Vis Green\/Royal-Gloss, Magenta\/UltraViolet -Gloss<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"spec__name\">Visor: <\/span><span class=\"spec_value\">Integrated<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"spec__name\">Rotational Impact Protection : <\/span><span class=\"spec_value\">Wavecel<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"product-summary pros\">\n<h4>Reasons to buy<\/h4>\n<div class=\"product-summary__container\"><span class=\"_hawk pros__value\"><span class=\"pros__marker\">+<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Magnetic buckle<\/p>\n<p><\/span><span class=\"_hawk pros__value\"><span class=\"pros__marker\">+<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Wavecel Technology<\/p>\n<p><\/span><span class=\"_hawk pros__value\"><span class=\"pros__marker\">+<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Uncomplicated visual design<\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-00f9d895-0b28-48c3-86ee-24a09e9eeca0\">The Bontrager Jet ticks the two boxes that skate-style helmet buyers are usually looking for: serious coverage and genuine style. Its extended shell protects more of the head than a standard road-style helmet, holds up well to the rough treatment kids tend to give their gear, and looks sharp enough that kids actually want to wear it.<\/p>\n<p>What sets it apart from most skate-style helmets is the rotational impact protection. Instead of MIPS, Bontrager uses its own WaveCel technology \u2014 an open-cell structured material that replaces traditional EPS foam and acts as both an energy absorber and a slip plane in one. Crucially, there&#8217;s no separate liner, which means no risk of catching long hair.<\/p>\n<p>The other highlight is the magnetic Fidlock buckle \u2014 one of the best features any kids&#8217; helmet can have. It snaps together with magnets, making it easy for small hands to manage independently and impossible to pinch skin in the clasp. It&#8217;s the kind of underrated feature that matters more than you think.<\/p>\n<p>The one compromise, as with most skate-style lids, is weight. The Jet runs a little heavier than a standard helmet, which is the price of that extra protection and build quality.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-best-for-small-heads\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-best-for-small-heads\"><span>Best for small heads<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\" id=\"elk-adc5093c-a600-4e2e-93f8-5fce604446fa\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:1200px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\"> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gFCh5nZrbFYJhB9miG3u3g-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gFCh5nZrbFYJhB9miG3u3g-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gFCh5nZrbFYJhB9miG3u3g-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gFCh5nZrbFYJhB9miG3u3g-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gFCh5nZrbFYJhB9miG3u3g-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gFCh5nZrbFYJhB9miG3u3g-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Giro Dime MIPS kids helmet in blue on the ground\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gFCh5nZrbFYJhB9miG3u3g-1200-80.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gFCh5nZrbFYJhB9miG3u3g-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gFCh5nZrbFYJhB9miG3u3g-970-80.jpg 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gFCh5nZrbFYJhB9miG3u3g-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gFCh5nZrbFYJhB9miG3u3g-480-80.jpg 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gFCh5nZrbFYJhB9miG3u3g-320-80.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gFCh5nZrbFYJhB9miG3u3g.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gFCh5nZrbFYJhB9miG3u3g.jpg\"\/>\n<\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Giro Dime MIPS kids helmet <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"product prog-buying-guide\" id=\"elk-06f9af91-d60d-4c3c-b4d8-2f271292e1e0\">\n<p><h3 class=\"product__title\" id=\"6-giro-dime-mips\">6. Giro Dime MIPS<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<p>Best kids\u2019 bike helmet for the smallest kids<\/p>\n<div class=\"product-summary spec\">\n<h4>Specifications<\/h4>\n<div class=\"product-summary__container\">\n<p><span class=\"spec__name\">Sizes : <\/span><span class=\"spec_value\">XS (47\u201351cm \/ 18.5\u201320.1in), S (51\u201355cm \/ 20.1\u201321.7in)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"spec__name\">Ages: <\/span><span class=\"spec_value\">XS: 3-5yr S: 6yr+<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"spec__name\">Colours available : <\/span><span class=\"spec_value\">Matte Black, Matte Blue, Matte Bright Red, Matte Purple, Matte Screaming Teal<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"spec__name\">Visor: <\/span><span class=\"spec_value\">None<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"spec__name\">Rotational Impact Protection : <\/span><span class=\"spec_value\">MIPS<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"product-summary pros\">\n<h4>Reasons to buy<\/h4>\n<div class=\"product-summary__container\"><span class=\"_hawk pros__value\"><span class=\"pros__marker\">+<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Smaller size available<\/p>\n<p><\/span><span class=\"_hawk pros__value\"><span class=\"pros__marker\">+<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Amazing designs<\/p>\n<p><\/span><span class=\"_hawk pros__value\"><span class=\"pros__marker\">+<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Visor is included and optional\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"product-summary cons\">\n<h4>Reasons to avoid<\/h4>\n<div class=\"product-summary__container\"><span class=\"_hawk cons__value\"><span class=\"cons__marker\">&#8211;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0Lacks a magnetic buckle\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-60a27f00-25aa-4d83-b88b-c30ce99c4cfd\">Finding a well-made helmet for very young riders can be extremely difficult, but these two options from Giro cover the earliest riders&#8217; noggins better than most.<\/p>\n<p>The Giro Scamp MIPS is the starting point, fitting heads from 45cm and designed for children just getting started \u2014 think balance bikes and rides alongside an adult. It includes MIPS, a pinch-guard buckle, and an integrated visor that&#8217;s strong enough to offer real forehead protection if they take a tumble. There are also plenty of colour options to keep things fun.<\/p>\n<p>For most kids, though, the Giro Dime MIPS will be the more practical choice. It starts at 47cm in XS, but the skate-style design and heavier plastic shell make it more durable for everyday use. The size range tends to align better with the years when kids are actually riding regularly. It&#8217;s worth doing some head measurements before committing to one or the other. One thing to watch: while there is a pinch-guard buckle, there isn&#8217;t a magnetic buckle on either helmet, so take care when fastening the chin strap.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-best-for-long-hair\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-best-for-long-hair\"><span>Best for long hair <\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\" id=\"elk-ba492f2d-75de-4882-91a5-46fb0158d46e\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:1200px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\"> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/98epcuwgFWq7E7ssJqUwcL-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/98epcuwgFWq7E7ssJqUwcL-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/98epcuwgFWq7E7ssJqUwcL-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/98epcuwgFWq7E7ssJqUwcL-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/98epcuwgFWq7E7ssJqUwcL-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/98epcuwgFWq7E7ssJqUwcL-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Lazer Nutz Kineticore kids helmet on the ground\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/98epcuwgFWq7E7ssJqUwcL-1200-80.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/98epcuwgFWq7E7ssJqUwcL-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/98epcuwgFWq7E7ssJqUwcL-970-80.jpg 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/98epcuwgFWq7E7ssJqUwcL-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/98epcuwgFWq7E7ssJqUwcL-480-80.jpg 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/98epcuwgFWq7E7ssJqUwcL-320-80.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/98epcuwgFWq7E7ssJqUwcL.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/98epcuwgFWq7E7ssJqUwcL.jpg\"\/>\n<\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Lazer Nutz Kineticore kids helmet <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"product prog-buying-guide\" id=\"elk-e2031f08-3096-4c27-aa28-94d16af8f3fe\">\n<p><h3 class=\"product__title\" id=\"7-lazer-nutz-kineticore\">7. Lazer Nutz Kineticore<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<p>Best kids helmet for long hair<\/p>\n<div class=\"product-summary spec\">\n<h4>Specifications<\/h4>\n<div class=\"product-summary__container\">\n<p><span class=\"spec__name\">Sizes: <\/span><span class=\"spec_value\">OS (50\u201356cm \/ 19.7\u201322.0in)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"spec__name\">Ages: <\/span><span class=\"spec_value\">5-8yrs<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"spec__name\">Colours Available: <\/span><span class=\"spec_value\">Space, Black, Black Flash Yellow, Dragons, Butterfly, Unicorns<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"spec__name\">Visor: <\/span><span class=\"spec_value\">None<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"spec__name\">Rotational Impact protection: <\/span><span class=\"spec_value\">Kineticore<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"product-summary pros\">\n<h4>Reasons to buy<\/h4>\n<div class=\"product-summary__container\"><span class=\"_hawk pros__value\"><span class=\"pros__marker\">+<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Great design options<\/p>\n<p><\/span><span class=\"_hawk pros__value\"><span class=\"pros__marker\">+<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Rotational Impact protection without a MIPS liner<\/p>\n<p><\/span><span class=\"_hawk pros__value\"><span class=\"pros__marker\">+<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Extended rear and side protection<\/p>\n<p><\/span><span class=\"_hawk pros__value\"><span class=\"pros__marker\">+<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Cheek buckle<\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-2163af55-9fb3-4e08-806f-5d426d418c90\">Most helmets on this list use MIPS, but MIPS isn&#8217;t the only way to get rotational impact protection. For kids with long hair, it isn&#8217;t always the most practical. The original MIPS liner can catch and pull hair, which is enough to put some riders off an otherwise excellent technology.<\/p>\n<p>Lazer&#8217;s alternative is called Kineticore, and it works differently. Rather than adding a separate slip-plane liner, Kineticore built flexible crumple zones directly into the foam of the helmet itself. You can&#8217;t see or feel them during normal use, but they serve the same protective purpose \u2014 absorbing rotational forces in a crash \u2014 without a liner that could snag hair.<\/p>\n<p>The Lazer Nutz Kineticore and Pnut Kineticore bring this technology to younger riders, with the Nutz also offering enhanced rear and side coverage and eight design options to choose from. Lazer has also moved the buckle to the cheek area to reduce the chance of pinching \u2014 a thoughtful detail \u2014 though it remains a standard clasp rather than a magnetic one.<\/p>\n<p>If your child has long hair, the Lazer Kineticore helmets are well worth a look.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-how-to-choose-the-best-kids-bike-helmet\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-how-to-choose-the-best-kids-bike-helmet\"><span>How to choose the best kids&#8217; bike helmet<\/span><\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-3d92f89e-cc12-4f31-80b1-2e03b05fb5dd\">Here are our recommendations for the key considerations when choosing the best bike helmet for your kid.<\/p>\n<ul id=\"elk-acd90724-96db-46a9-8184-9831df321708\">\n<li><strong>Does it fit comfortably? <\/strong>Is the sizing right for your kid&#8217;s head, and is the shape of the helmet a match for their head shape, so that it doesn&#8217;t move around? Is there room and adjustment to fit as they grow? Can you fit a cap underneath if it&#8217;s cold?<\/li>\n<li><strong>Are the straps comfortable?<\/strong> Kids may not like the straps, but they need to be adjustable to fit well. A magnetic buckle can help when putting the helmet on and removing it.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Do they like the design\/colour?<\/strong> Kids are more likely to be happy to wear their helmets if they like the look. They probably want a helmet to match their riding too, whether that&#8217;s a skate park, mountain biking or general road and off-road play.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Is there the right level of venting?<\/strong> A helmet without enough vents can get uncomfortably hot in hot weather. On the other hand, one with too much airflow can feel too cold in winter weather.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Is there additional rotational impact protection? <\/strong>A system such as MIPS or KinetiCore can add extra protection in a crash by reducing rotational forces. While kids may not be crashing at high speeds, more protection is always better. If you don&#8217;t know what MIPS is, check out our in-depth\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/features\/what-are-mips-helmets\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/features\/what-are-mips-helmets\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/features\/what-are-mips-helmets\/\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>MIPS guide<\/u><\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Does it feel too heavy? <\/strong>Whether you&#8217;re an adult or a child, a lighter helmet is going to be more pleasant to wear when riding. Kids will probably complain if they think a helmet is too heavy, and discourage them from wearing it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a id=\"elk-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-best-kid-s-bike-helmets\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-best-kid-s-bike-helmets\"><span>Everything you need to know about the best kid&#8217;s bike helmets<\/span><\/h2>\n<section class=\"article__schema-question\" id=\"elk-d011280b-8f99-435a-9079-34911bcddd18\">\n<h3>How do I measure my kid&#8217;s head size?<\/h3>\n<article class=\"article__schema-answer\">\n<p>Helmet sizes are usually measured in centimetres around the circumference of their heads. That&#8217;s true for adult helmets as well as kids&#8217; bike helmets. <\/p>\n<p>The best way to measure your child&#8217;s head size is to use either a cloth tape or a piece of string. If you use the string method, just use a ruler to measure the string&#8217;s length. Measure around the largest section of their head, horizontally just above the ears, making sure that you take in the brow and the occipital lobe, the bump on the rear of the skull. <\/p>\n<\/article>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"article__schema-question\" id=\"elk-d90a899c-0b1b-42f1-af00-633adf80ea25\">\n<h3>How do I make sure the fit is right?<\/h3>\n<article class=\"article__schema-answer\">\n<p>Everybody buys clothes big and lets their kids grow into them. When I sat down and chatted with Isla Rowntree, founder of Islabikes, she relayed that bikes for children typically last three years but are only optimally sized for one. In the first year, they are too small for the bike, and in the last year, the bike is too small for them. Only during the middle year does the bike fit a child perfectly. All that is to say, everything your kid owns only fits for a short time, but a helmet has to be right all the time. Don&#8217;t buy a helmet too big and let it grow into it. Also, don&#8217;t let it stick around too long when it&#8217;s small. <\/p>\n<p>The helmet should sit low on a child&#8217;s head in the front and should be stable once properly adjusted. If it sits too far back or flops around, it&#8217;s not the right size. It should also be comfortable and if it\u2019s too tight, it\u2019s not the right helmet. There&#8217;s a good amount of adjustability in a helmet, so you should be able to find one that will last for a while. But never buy one that doesn&#8217;t fit. A helmet that doesn&#8217;t fit isn&#8217;t safe. <\/p>\n<p>Some helmets come with multiple pad sets with different thicknesses, so you can alter the fit as your child&#8217;s head grows. All will have a rear cradle with a dial adjuster or slider that lets you adjust the fit for the circumference and depth of their head.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"article__schema-question\" id=\"elk-78c557d8-e22b-4fa0-99ef-84669700b86b\">\n<h3>When else should I replace my child&#8217;s helmet?<\/h3>\n<article class=\"article__schema-answer\">\n<p>Besides replacing a helmet that they&#8217;ve grown out of, you should always replace a helmet that&#8217;s been in a crash, which involves a head impact. The EPS foam and the shell may have been damaged, so they&#8217;ll be less protective in a subsequent crash, and this is not always visible.<\/p>\n<p>The same is true of a helmet that has been dropped. Although kids&#8217; helmets are usually designed with an extra level of abuse resistance over lightweight adult helmets, if it has fallen down the stairs, for example, a helmet may become damaged. A helmet should also be stored out of direct sunlight and shouldn&#8217;t be left in a car on a hot day.<\/p>\n<p>Most helmet makers say you should replace a helmet after a period of use, often five years, as the EPS foam will degrade over time. Your kid will almost certainly have grown out of their helmet by then, but it&#8217;s worth keeping in mind for hand-me-downs.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"article__schema-question\" id=\"elk-51894887-a3aa-4538-ac6b-decb22b56fd9\">\n<h3>What is MIPS?<\/h3>\n<article class=\"article__schema-answer\">\n<p>Helmets are really good at keeping you from a head injury in the event of a crash. At one point in time, saying that would have been a big deal, but at this point, it&#8217;s kind of the baseline requirement. Any helmet on the market will meet a variety of minimum requirements in order to be sold in a particular country. But it turns out there&#8217;s a lot more to keep you safe than that baseline. <\/p>\n<p>When an impact occurs at an angle, which it almost always does, if your head stops moving very abruptly, it can cause your brain to move or stretch within your skull. Your child can experience a traumatic brain injury, more often referred to as a concussion, from the brain moving inside the skull. The current thinking is that the best way to solve this is to allow for some movement between the helmet and the skull. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/features\/what-are-mips-helmets\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/features\/what-are-mips-helmets\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/features\/what-are-mips-helmets\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">MIPS<\/a> is a brand name that stands for Multi-directional Impact Protection System. It is one brand&#8217;s solution to the problem and the technology is licensed by various helmet brands, but there are other solutions to the same problem with other brand names applied. On our list of the best kids&#8217; cycling helmets, there is MIPS, Lazer&#8217;s Kineticore, and Bontrager&#8217;s Wavecel technology represented, but there are others as well. <\/p>\n<\/article>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"article__schema-question\" id=\"elk-3fb4a022-fd6e-4326-9566-9aafa6b99f72\">\n<h3>Does your child&#8217;s helmet need MIPS?<\/h3>\n<article class=\"article__schema-answer\">\n<p>If you are purchasing a helmet for your child or for you, it\u2019s a good idea to have some form of technology designed to allow for angular rotation. It is not a guarantee that the wearer has complete protection against concussion, but right now, the general consensus of research suggests that this type of technology is helpful. That\u2019s not to say that a helmet without rotational impact protection technology is unsafe. All helmets have to meet required safety standards before being sold. Even if a helmet doesn\u2019t have rotational impact protection, it\u2019s safe.<\/p>\n<p>Instead of considering the choice binary, I prefer to look at it as a consideration. There is a helmet for every size kid that includes some type of rotational impact protection. There\u2019s no drawback, so it makes sense to include it in the helmet you buy. <\/p>\n<\/article>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"article__schema-question\" id=\"elk-ac74dc4d-592c-48b2-97b8-268da2bce68c\">\n<h3>Does your kid&#8217;s helmet need a visor?<\/h3>\n<article class=\"article__schema-answer\">\n<p>A visor on a helmet is both a fashion choice and a functional choice. If your child has a very upright bike, a visor makes sense to help keep the sun out of their eyes. Bikes that keep the head lower mean that a visor will get in the way of visibility. A visor may also help stop branches and other obstacles from hitting them in the face.<\/p>\n<p>In practical terms, that means road bike helmets don&#8217;t have visors and mountain bike helmets often do. If the bike your child has, as well as the style you and your child are going for, match up with a visor, then they are helpful, depending on the design. Many kids think the visor looks cool and it&#8217;s often removable too.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"article__schema-question\" id=\"elk-154567a7-d1c1-4b45-a4d4-f1a5060a913d\">\n<h3>Does the buckle style matter?<\/h3>\n<article class=\"article__schema-answer\">\n<p>The short of it is that a good buckle is worth shopping for. No parent wants to hurt their kid and it&#8217;s easy to hurt them with the wrong buckle. When you help a child buckle their helmet, you are often above them, making the area under their chin difficult to see. Even if you get down on a knee, it can be hard to judge where the buckle is in comparison to the skin. Not only that, but it&#8217;s a sensitive area and skin pinched in the buckle will hurt!<\/p>\n<p>As a parent, you&#8217;ll go through a lot to make sure you don&#8217;t catch your kiddo&#8217;s skin in the buckle. That might mean lots of extra time being careful, but it can also mean making the strap looser so it&#8217;s less of an issue. A strap that&#8217;s too loose means the helmet is less effective and all the extra time isn&#8217;t fun for anyone. Instead, look for a buckle that makes life easier with some kind of no-catch system. Magnetic buckles are easy to use.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"article__schema-question\" id=\"elk-6c212de7-9a34-4912-bf67-156832e33b2a\">\n<h3>Does my child need to wear a helmet when cycling?<\/h3>\n<article class=\"article__schema-answer\">\n<p>In much of the world, there&#8217;s no legal requirement to wear a helmet for cycling. Most adults do wear one nowadays though and it&#8217;s sensible to provide the extra protection that a helmet provides to your offspring when they are cycling.<\/p>\n<p>Kids don&#8217;t always judge the risk involved in a manoeuvre as well as an adult, so they&#8217;re more likely to take a tumble. It&#8217;s then that a helmet adds extra safety, even if they&#8217;re riding speed is likely to be lower than yours. Choose a cool helmet and they&#8217;re less likely to make a fuss about wearing it.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n<\/section>\n<p><a id=\"elk-how-we-test\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-how-we-test\"><span>How we test<\/span><\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-9e805580-8012-44ca-8df6-16d27b151e86\">We take testing seriously at <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>\u2014especially when it comes to critical safety equipment such as kids&#8217; bike helmets. For this guide, we tested eight helmets across multiple months and riding conditions, including pavement, gravel, school runs, and family trail rides. Given how crowded the category is, we focused on several key criteria to carefully shortlist the best kids&#8217; bike helmets available today.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, safety standards were an absolute imperative. We started by shortlisting helmets that met key safety standards such as CPSC (US) and EN 1078 (EU). While we can&#8217;t crash-test the helmets ourselves, we can simulate wear and tear and durability by dropping them, storing them in bags, and exposing them to sun and rain.<\/p>\n<p>We also prioritised helmets from trusted brands with a history of quality and made sure to include a mix of budget, mid-range and premium options\u2014some with MIPS, others without\u2014to suit a range of needs and price points.<\/p>\n<p>Each helmet was assessed for true-to-size fit, how well it stayed in place during riding, comfort over longer rides, how easily a child could put it on or adjust it themselves, and general durability. We paid special attention to strap adjustment systems and dial retention mechanisms since proper fit is vital to safety.<\/p>\n<p>Testing is the backbone of our tech department, and we always aim to provide reliable, unbiased advice. Check out our <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/features\/cyclingnews-tech-how-we-test\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/features\/cyclingnews-tech-how-we-test\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/features\/cyclingnews-tech-how-we-test\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">how we test page<\/a> if you&#8217;d like further information.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-multimodelreview\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-model-name=\"Bern Nino 2.0 Kids Helmet,Bern Nino 2.0 Youth Bike Helmet,Bern Nino 2.0 MIPS youth,Fox Racing Youth Mainframe,Nutcase Helmets Little Nutty,Specialized Shuffle Youth LED,Specialized Shuffle Child LED,Bontrager Jet WaveCel,Giro Dime MIPS,Lazer Nutz Kineticore\" data-name=\"Buying Guide Multimodel widget\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-widget-title=\"multimodelWidgetTitle\" data-widget-type=\"multimodelreview\" class=\"hawk-root\">\n<div class=\"hawk-multi-model-review-container\">\n<div class=\"hawk-multi-model-review-retail-container\">\n<p>Round up of today&#8217;s best deals<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/features\/best-kids-bike-helmets\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learning to ride a bike is one of childhood&#8217;s most prominent memories. Whether your child is wobbling on a balance bike, cruising on two wheels, or riding to school, a quality helmet is non-negotiable. Every helmet in this guide has been worn and tested by real kids \u2014 including my own. As a parent and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":118449,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[4],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/118448"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=118448"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/118448\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/118449"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=118448"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=118448"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=118448"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}