Bike Helmets for Youth – What are the Options?

Youth Helmet Options

• Youth Recreation Helmet
• Urban/ Multi Sport Helmet
• Youth  All Round Helmet (add a rear light for on road use)
• Adult Traffic/Recreation Riding Helmet
• Adult Recreation Helmet
• Adult All Round Helmet (including Mountain Biking)

All these helmets have great head shape, have adjustment systems and come in good colours/graphics.  Some will be designed for specific environments but are versatile enough to be used whenever your child rides.

Youth riders who are serious about mountain biking should be wearing an adult mountain biking helmet… please go to our Mountain Bike Helmets – What are the Options? story.

Best Suited to – Recreation riding on bikepaths as well as beginner/easy off road trails.

Age Range – approximately 6yr to 12yrs.  Size Range – 50 to 57cm (youth size)

Great features:  Full head coverage (a shape that resembles a human head and goes low at the back of the head). In mold construction gives the helmet the ability to absorb knocks, strength and durability. Lightweight and easy to use adjustable fit system so the helmet is secure and stable on their heads.

Other features: Good ventilation & sweat absorption, pinch guard on chin strap for young kids, bright colours for visibility in traffic.

Recommendation – The Bell Sidetrack is the best kids through to youth helmet we could find in the market because it has such a great shape.  It’s extended length  covers their head well.  The easy to use adjustable dial system guarantees a secure fit every time they ride.  All this makes it a great helmet for safety to take them off road exploring or into traffic.

Best Suited to – kids who ride in urban environments, who need a helmet to use biking, scootering or at the skate park.

Age Range – one size approximately 8yr to 12yrs.  Size Range – 52 to 56cm.

Great features:  Full head coverage (a shape that resembles a human head and goes low at the back of the head) including ear/temple protection.  Strength and durability, ability to absorb impacts. Certification for use in the sports you are participating in – skate, scooter, biking. Awesome bright graphics.

Other features: Good ventilation & sweat absorption, pinch guard on chin strap.

Recommendation – This street style helmet has a Multi Directional Impact Protection System (MIPS).  The only helmet in this class to offer this level of protection   Great fit system to ensure a secure position on the head.  Lightweight, with 11 vents and a great pinch free buckle system.

Best Suited to – kids who enjoy riding to & from the trails. Optional pop in light for the rear vent makes this a great all round helmet.

Age Range – approximately 6yr to 12yrs.  Size Range – 50 to 57cm (one size).

Great features:  Full head coverage (a shape that resembles a human head and goes low at the back of the head) including MIPS (multi directional impact) protection.  Strength and durability, ability to absorb impacts created by in mold construction & liners.  Easy to use fit systems that provide the ability to have a secure & stable helmet every time it is put on a head.  Good colour options, bright range.

Other features: Good ventilation & quick dry padding for sweat and temperature management, easily removed for washing.  Visor removability.  Ability to add a rear vent light for on road/in traffic riding.

Recommendation – As your child steps up to the challenge that is mountain biking so should their helmet step up in its ability to protect their head and the features it offers.  The Giro Tremor does just that. It has the best dial fit system we could find in a kids helmet along with the added protection of MIPS technology.  The internal pads are made from the same fast drying, sweat wicking fabric as adult Giro helmets.  Eighteen vents & 5 airflow channels throughout the full head coverage design allows for great air movement and keeps the helmet lightweight (306gms).  It also has an optional rear vent light to assist with visibility in traffic – school commute riding, activities/sports practices, riding to/from the trail.

Best Suited to – kids who enjoy riding to & from the trails. Optional pop in light for the rear vent makes this a great all round helmet.

Age Range – approximately 10yrs.  Size Range – 54 to 61cm (one size).

Great features:  Full head coverage (a shape that resembles a human head and goes low at the back of the head) including MIPS (multi directional impact) protection.  Strength and durability, ability to absorb impacts created by in mold construction & liners.  Easy to use fit systems that provide the ability to have a secure & stable helmet every time it is put on a head.  Good colour options, bright range.

Other features: Good ventilation & quick dry padding for sweat and temperature management, easily removed for washing.  Visor removability.  Ability to add a rear vent light for on road/in traffic riding.

Recommendation – As your child steps up to the challenge that is mountain biking so should their helmet step up in its ability to protect their head and the features it offers.  The Giro Fixture does just that. It has the best dial fit system we could find in a helmet along with the added protection of MIPS technology.  The internal pads are made from the same fast drying, sweat wicking fabric as adult Giro helmets.  Eighteen vents & 5 airflow channels throughout the full head coverage design allows for great air movement and keeps the helmet lightweight.  It also has an optional rear vent light to assist with visibility in traffic – school commute riding, activities/sports practices, riding to/from the trail.

Best Suited to – Youth who ride in traffic.  With an adult or as an independent rider. Suitable for all recreation riding bikepaths as well as beginner/easy off road trails.

Age Range – approximately 10yrs+.  Size Range Sm 54-58cm, Med 58-61cm

Great features:  Full head coverage (a shape that resembles a human head and goes low at the back of the head).  Strength and durability, ability to absorb impacts created by in mold construction & liners.  Easy to use fit systems that provide the ability to have a secure & stable helmet every time it is put on a head.

Other features: Rear light vent & bright colour.  The helmet is acting as a visibility aid, drawing driver attention with the rear light on flashing mode.

Recommendation – If you are choosing to let your pre-teen/teen ride their bike as transport through traffic their helmet should provide them with added safety.  The Cratoni C-Pure has that ability.  Not only does it have a great fit system & full head coverage including temporal protection, it has a rear dial light.  This light is great for use in traffic and will always be with them whenever they put their helmet on their head.

Best Suited to – Youth who enjoy all types of recreation riding from the road to the trails.

Age Range – approximately 10 years plus.  Size Range – Small 49-54cm Med 54-58cm Lge 58-62cm.

Great features:  Full head coverage (a shape that resembles a human head and goes low at the back of the head) including MIPS (multi directional impact) protection.  Strength and durability, ability to absorb impacts created by in mold construction & liners.  Easy to use fit systems that provide the ability to have a secure & stable helmet every time it is put on a head.

Other features: Good ventilation & quick dry padding for sweat and temperature management, easily removed for washing.  Visor removability.  

Recommendation – When your teenager chooses to ride a bike all over town during the week and spends time off road in the weekends you want a helmet that is up to the task of being well used.  These helmets deliver on all the features we ask you to find in a performance helmet.  Including extended rear head coverage yet it is lightweight.  It provides ideal impact protection with its increased dense shell strength.   An easy to use fit system is a must for this age group.  Three sizes also helps with getting a helmet to fit their head correctly.  MIPS is another element of protection from impacts at angles.  This will help when preteens/teens start exploring intermediate and advanced off road tracks.