Helmet Size

It is essential you buy the correct sized helmet.  You MUST NOT buy a helmet for your kid to grow into. Find the correct size to buy by using goRide’s How to Size & Fit a Kids Bike Helmet.  You will need a flexible measuring tape or a piece of string and a ruler.

Helmet Adjustment

How does the helmet adjust?  As a general rule most bike helmets are adjusted at the straps and an adjustable occipital dial or slide.  Compared to street style helmets or budget helmets that use additional foam pads and a chin strap that may or may not move. It is essential that the adjustment system of a kids helmet is good.  It needs to accommodate a growing head so you can get the right fit.  Then the helmet will stay on and over your child’s head in an impact.

Helmet Shape

All bike helmets sold in New Zealand need to meet a minimum safety standard. To get maximum protection for your child’s head we suggest a helmet shaped like your head – that is round and smooth. No protrusions. Being round and smooth it allows the helmet to slide better along a surface, reducing the peak forces with sudden stopping. An outcome that reduces the risk of a head injury. A rounded shaped helmet is important for comfort if the child’s head will be leaning against a surface like the back of a kids bike seat – you definitely want to avoid an elongated styled helmet in this situation. The shape of the helmet needs to provide good coverage of the head. Coverage from above the eyebrows to right down low at the back of the head (where the head meets the neck).

Weight

Putting a bike helmet on your child’s head adds weight to their head. Therefore they will need the strength to support their head and the helmet. This is of particular importance if you are buying for young kids. You want a lightweight helmet. The Right Kids Bike Helmet.

Colour and Graphics

Bright coloured helmets and graphics can offer improved visibility. If your kids love their helmets it will help with the challenge of getting them to wear it and look after it.

Materials

Different brands use different materials and construction methods.  For a detailed overview of what this means read our story Essential Guide to Bike Helmets – Components & How They Work.  This will help you understand things like…how the shell is attached, what the foam is

Ventilation

The interior foam of a kids bike helmet is an insulator so ventilation holes are important for temperature control. Kids often struggle with temperature control. A good temperature makes for a more comfortable experience. Ventilation becomes more important as the kids are not just the passenger but are now the riders.

A Helmet that matches the type of riding your child does

Understand what type pf biking your child is likely to be involved in. Matching you helmet to the type of riding will ensure you have the level of safety required for that type of riding.

• If your child needs a helmet for multi-use eg. skiing and biking then consider a multi-sport helmet.
• Are they beginning to ride on the trails, regularly, being more dynamic on the trails, having a go at jumps etc?  Then you may need to consider a helmet with higher specification like our youth mountain bike helmet.
• Being visible in traffic is important if they do a lot of on road riding – biking to school or activities.  The addition of a rear vent light is a great way to keep them safe

Read through Bike Helmets for Kids – The right kids bike helmet and have a look at the Youth/Adult Mountain Bike Helmet Buying Guide

A kids head grows and changes.  Each child will have different rates of growth and times when they are growing. Please be aware that most of your head growth is done by the time you reach 6yrs old (this is an average head growth, you or your child may be different).  After this age your head will change shape allowing for maturity of your face.  What this means for helmet buying is that children as young as 6yrs old can fit into adult/youth helmets.  “Youth” helmets tend to be an adults size small in kids graphics or colours.  These helmets will be more of an investment but your child is less likely to grow out of it.

For ADULT town, recreation, road helmets see the BIKE HELMET BUYING GUIDE

For ADULT Mountain Bike Helmet options see the specific MOUNTAIN BIKE HELMET BUYING GUIDE

MAKE YOUR PURCHASE A SUCCESS…

Adjust to the head for a SNUG Fit

get Safe – when you first purchase your helmet you need to invest some time to make the necessary adjustments to make the helmet fit snugly to the head. Then you need to do a pre-ride check – that is a quick helmet check before every ride.

Caring for your helmet

Role model good habits with your helmet, how do kids learn… by watching you.  Wear your helmet every time you ride a bike, don’t drop it or throw it, store it in a safe place, hang it by the chin strap not through the V-straps (otherwise you will be forever adjusting it).