Kids Bike Helmet Buying Guide
Answer the following questions and/or think through the points. This will help with the correct bike helmet choice.
Supporting you to get the right solutions so you can smile when you ride
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.
LEARN MORE: How to Size and Fit a Kids Bike Helmet
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 – What are the options? Also see The right kids bike helmet and have a look at the Mountain Bike Helmet Buying Guide
goRides Kids Bike Helmets Solutions
$93.00
$102.00
$149.00 - $169.00
$149.00 - $169.00
$99.00
$132.00
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.
LEARN MORE: How are you wearing your helmet.
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).
LEARN MORE: Caring for your helmet.
What is the right Bike Helmet solution for you? Your success is different to others… use our stories and support, get the right solution
Full Selection
View goRides Bike Helmets Stories and Support. Supporting you to get the right Bike Helmet and SMILE when you ride.
Mountain Bike Helmet Buying Guide
What is the best MTB helmet for the type of riding you enjoy? There are many factors to consider in your decision. Use our Buying Guide to get the right bike helmet solution.
How to Size & Fit a Kids Bike Helmet
Learn how to measure to get the right size helmet for your child, then adjust for the perfect fit.
The 'right' Kids Bike Helmet
Learn what is important in a helmet and what helmet suits the riding your kids do.
Kids Bike Helmet - What are your options?
Understand your options. Match the type of riding your child enjoys with the right bike helmet. .
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