17 Top Full Face Helmet for Kids (Proven Safe for MTB)
Loads of kids love to spend time on their bikes, but there is a big difference between riding around the neighborhood getting from A to B and choosing to take to the hills or start biking for sports. Mountain biking is full of positives for kids; it keeps them fit and active, out in the fresh air, and can teach lots of important skills. Safety needs to come first, though. Sending children unprepared to participate in a sport that can be dangerous just isn’t an option. Like with a motorcycle helmet, the best way to protect your child’s head is with a full face helmet, which is why we’ve rounded up the top kids full face helmets, proven safe for MTB purposes.
There are certain considerations which need to come into play when choosing any safety-related product.
The most important of all criteria by which we are judging the best helmets is their safety. Fortunately, as well as physical safety features like a face shield, cheek pads, a visor, and a solid outer shell here are numerous safety certifications and standardized tests out there which are designed to ensure the safety and integrity of every mountain bike helmet. CPSC and CE certifications are names to look out for when looking through different designs, these are seals of approval that show that the helmets have been put through some thorough testing.
Sizing. Sizing is an interesting area when we are looking at helmets for kids. Head sizes do not change as drastically throughout our lives as other parts of our bodies. Children’s heads are a large percentage of the size they will be when they are adults. For instance, aged 12 months, a baby’s head is an incredible 75% of the size it will be in adulthood, according to figures by the WHO. How does this relate to purchasing helmets? Well, while there are a couple of specific ‘junior’ or ‘kids’ helmets, most of the time you will simply be looking for the smaller side of the adult scale. Many of the adult full face helmets come in small and even extra small sizes and come with size guides to ensure that you buy the correct model. This isn’t to say that the youth helmets are useless. We’ve included a range of youth and junior helmets and helmets with smaller sizes which are suitable for youth mountain bikers.
Comfort is always an important feature for helmets. This is even more important when you are wearing a full face helmet, covering the front of your child’s face with a chin strap. Children are far more likely to stay with a hobby if they are able to do so as comfortably as possible. Fortunately, most helmets out there are equipped with high-quality padding on the inside, which is washable to ensure that sweat buildup doesn’t become an issue. Anyone who has washed their kid’s gym kit will know what an unpleasant issue that can be!
Design and looks are important, perhaps even more for kids than for adults. We all want to look our best when out on our bikes, but kids are much more likely to have a clear idea of what they want and opt for more vibrant designs to impress their friends. Anything that makes your child more likely to love their helmet is a real positive, as there’s no option but to wear one, especially at high speeds such as downhill.
The Best Full Face Kids Helmets, Reviewed
Bell Sanction BMX/Downhill Helmet
Bell is a massive name when it comes to all sorts of cycling helmets. They have over 50 years of experience producing helmets. This is a top seller for a few reasons including its very reasonable price. This is especially attractive for kids who you know are going to one day grow out of their junior helmet. Investing hundreds of dollars on a helmet which won’t get years worth of use isn’t appealing!
In spite of its lower price, the Bell Sanction doesn’t lack features. It advertises itself as a BMX and Downhill helmet, and is absolutely safe for all forms of MTB, having passed the same tests and certifications, with CPSC accreditation.
This is specifically made for smaller riders, which can be either small sized adults or juniors, making it a great choice for kids. As it is small-sized, the company has managed to keep it extremely lightweight, at just 950 grams of mass! This all helps with the comfort, which is already pretty great due to the 15 airflow vents and generous padding.
Kids are likely to also enjoy the loud and professional looking designs on offer, with six different designs to choose from with different color schemes so your kid can choose their favorite. Four sizes are available, which run slightly small anyway and are available as small as XS size—perfect for kids of all different ages.
Bell Star Wars Storm Trooper Multisport Chinbar Helmet
There is absolutely no way we could ignore the stormtrooper helmet. We’re not assuming every child loves Star Wars, but a huge percentage does. And, let’s face it—this is a model that is going to stand out for all of those who are into the franchise!
This isn’t a novelty item and has been made by Bell that, as we’ve already mentioned, knows how to produce a top-quality helmet. Parents will also be attracted to the price tag, as this is not one of the most expensive helmets out there.
It is designed for small heads, and as such is suitable for younger kids. The ‘multisport’ design means it can be used for plenty of other extreme sports, and the price hasn’t meant any safety compromises, as the CPSC certificate is still in place. If we were to look at negatives, this is perhaps not as well vented as some of the competitors, and the padding is decent but not removable and washable like some of the more expensive models.
The massive plus point is, of course, that it makes you look like a stormtrooper! No wonder this is a popular and highly reviewed helmet.
Kent Razor Full Face Youth Helmet
Kent is another brand which is something of a giant in the world of MTB helmets. This Razor design is a specific youth helmet and is designed to fit heads between 21.5 and 23 inches which tends to be roughly ages 8 to 14, but this isn’t strict and kids develop differently so it is always wise to measure your child’s head to check the fit.
This is an affordable helmet and, of course, has the required certificates to prove its safety. A vented mouthpiece and 17 vents around the rest of the helmet mean really good airflow and detachable, washable padding keeps comfort and freshness as a priority. It does only come in two different designs so there isn’t as much to choose from for your little daredevil. In spite of this, it is an option worth a second look.
WOW Youth Kids Motocross BMX MX ATV Dirt Bike Helmet
This may not be a brand which is quite as popular as some of the others, but they really have made an incredible offering at an incredible price with the WOW youth kids helmet. It took us by surprise, especially considering the lack of information about the company and the fact that they seem to be a relatively new brand.
In terms of looks, there are an incredible 19 designs available, and there is bound to be something that takes your kids fancy. The fact that this is a youth helmet is perhaps reflected in these designs. Spider web and star designs have proved very popular among kids, and colors ranging from green to red to pink mean that there is a little bit of everything.
DOT approval has been granted as the safety standards of this helmet, which is again a “multi-sports” design so has been approved for use on dirt bikes, MTB, and even in motocross.
THE Industries Youth T3 Carbon Shield BMX and Mountain Bike Helmet
THE Industries has created a youth-specific helmet too. It describes itself as a ‘generation flagship’ with its modern looks and very thorough safety standards. The T3 Carbon is called so because of its hi-tech carbon designed shell.
One difference from some of the other full face helmets is the steel buckle which is designed to secure the helmet in place for your ride and make sure it doesn’t move around and become uncomfortable.
Other comfort-based features include an impressive 15 vents to keep you cool and a removable, thorough inner padding making it one of the more comfortable helmets on the market too. All of this does come at a little extra cost but the professionalism is clear from the look and feel of this helmet as well as the rigorous safety features.
Demon Podium Full Face Mountain Bike Helmet
Demon is a brand not only known for their MTB products but their snowboarding and skiing safety gear. The Demon Podium is a hugely popular helmet for adult riders but is suitable for younger riders too as it comes in a small size which will fit most younger riders.
One of the great aspects of this helmet is the fact that it has very high visibility. You don’t want to send your kid out onto the hills with low visibility. This doesn’t affect their peripheral vision and means any hazards will be clearly visible. It is available with or without goggles depending on your preference. The fact that there are goggles specifically made by the brand means they will fit perfectly, something that can sometimes cause an issue if you are buying goggles and helmet separately.
As we’ve grown to expect, the safety certifications are all in place. On top of that, air vents and breathability keep you comfortable. Most helmets offer these features but this one stands out due to being lightweight at just 2.2 lbs and having the option to include compatible goggles. It also comes with its own sturdy bag for carrying the helmet.
On top of these features, a very cleverly designed lining includes EPS foam, which has the ability to conform to the individual shape of your face, allowing a comfortable and almost tailor-made fit. With these extra comfort features, and six very sleek and professional looking designs to choose from, as well as a wide range of sizes to suit almost every head, the Demon podium has become popular with both children and adults alike. It is somewhere in the mid to expensive range for helmets due to its wide range of features.
Conclusion
To choose one specific ‘best’ full face helmet is not possible, there is such a range of features and criteria. For instance, if you want a small helmet which is also lightest in terms of weight then the Bell Sanction will probably be your preference. If you are looking for value for money on the lower end of the price range, the WOW Youth helmet could be the best option for you. For build quality, the Demon Podium is up there with the best.
If you are concerned about choosing an adult helmet, there will usually be no issue. Each specific manufacturer will have its own sizing guide and chart to refer to. When measuring, you should place a tape measure around the forehead of the child who will be wearing the helmet, around one centimeter above their eyebrows. Take measurements two or three times and assume the largest result to be correct, as this will avoid getting a helmet which is too small. Don’t go excessively large, though, thinking that a kid will ‘grow into it.’ A helmet that isn’t correctly sized can be a safety concern.
Safety should always be your first consideration. Even if your child falls in love with a design, it is vital to ensure that the helmet is offering the right level of protection and will fit perfectly. Looks will probably be considered somewhere along the line, and it is natural to want to look as good as possible in your biking gear, but this should always be secondary.
