Choosing the right helmet for your child is crucial for their safety while skateboarding, longboarding, or rollerblading. This guide breaks down the best options available in 2024, focusing on safety, comfort, and style. We’ll explore a range of helmets, from budget-friendly choices to those packed with advanced safety features, helping you make the best decision for your young rider.
Top Kids’ Helmets for Skateboarding, Longboarding, & Rollerblading
Triple Eight Little Tricky – The Most Comfortable Certified Helmet
The Triple Eight Little Tricky helmet stands out for its exceptional comfort. Its thick padding ensures a snug yet comfortable fit for various head shapes. The inclusion of extra padding allows for customization and replacement as the original pads wear out.
Triple Eight Little Tricky helmet for kids, known for its comfortable padding and dual certifications
This helmet is dual certified with both CPSC and ASTM F1492 certifications, ensuring it meets rigorous safety standards. It comes in four different colors, offering a minimalistic yet appealing design. The Little Tricky helmet accommodates head sizes from 19.25 to 22 inches (50 to 56 cm) with its single shell size, making it suitable for growing children. Although priced higher at around $40, the investment reflects the quality, comfort, and safety it provides. You can find the Little Tricky helmet here on Amazon.com. For kids with slightly larger heads, consider the XS/S version of the Triple Eight Sweatsaver, which fits head sizes 20 to 21.25 inches (51 to 54 cm) available here on Amazon.com.
Bavilk Toddler Helmet – Best Budget-Friendly and Secure Fit
The Bavilk toddler helmet is an excellent budget-friendly option at approximately $20. It features two main sizes, a small (48-54 cm / 18.9″-21.3″) and a medium (54-57 cm / 21.3″-22.4″), ensuring a more precise fit. Additionally, it includes an adjustable dial at the back for even greater security.
Bavilk helmet for kids, showcasing its budget-friendly design and adjustable fit
While it only has a single CPSC certification and no fancy designs, it comes in various cool colors. If you are willing to compromise on having dual certifications, the Bavilk helmet is a solid choice, especially if you’re on a budget. Find the Bavlik helmet here on Amazon.com.
S1 Mini Lifer – The Best All-Around Helmet
The S1 Mini Lifer helmet is a top choice for its combination of safety, comfort, and style. It is dual-certified with ASTM F1492 and CPSC certifications, and it comes in a range of great colors.
S1 Mini Lifer helmet for kids, recognized as the best all-around helmet with multiple size options
The S1 helmet offers the most size options, with six different sizes from X-Small (18.5″) to X-Large (20.5″), with 0.5-inch increments. Its interchangeable pads allow for fine-tuning the fit. Although the pads may wear out within six months, replacement pads are provided. While it’s a more expensive option, the S1 helmet’s sleek design and superior comfort make it a worthwhile investment. Check it out here on Amazon.com.
OutdoorMaster Kids Helmet – Top Choice for Safety, Price, Fit, and Comfort
The OutdoorMaster kids’ helmet excels in safety, price, fit, and comfort. Priced under $20, it provides both ASTM F1492 and CPSC certifications, ensuring excellent protection.
OutdoorMaster helmet for kids, highlighting its impressive combination of safety features and affordability
This helmet features an adjustable dial for a snug fit and comes in two sizes: small (46-52cm / 18.1″-20.5″) and medium (52-56cm / 20.5″-22″). It also offers excellent ventilation. However, the helmet can appear bulky, and it lacks any fancy designs. Despite these minor drawbacks, the OutdoorMaster is a top choice for those seeking a great value. Check out the OutdoorMaster kids helmet here on Amazon.com.
OutdoorMaster helmet showcasing safety certifications
Atphfety Helmet – Not Recommended
While the Atphfety helmet has an appealing shark design, it is not recommended due to its lack of safety certifications.
It only has a CE certification, which is not as stringent as the ASTM and CPSC certifications needed for skateboarding and cycling respectively. The fin design could also cause the helmet to twist during an impact, causing neck injuries. Avoid this helmet and prioritize the safety of your child. Feel free to check it out here on Amazon.com for yourself.
Dacool Helmet – Another Helmet to Avoid
The Dacool helmet, similar to the Atphfety helmet, should be avoided. It is not certified and therefore does not guarantee adequate head protection.
Dacool helmet, another helmet to avoid due to lack of certifications
It is available with a set of knee, elbow, and hip pads, but without proper certification, its ability to protect your child’s head is questionable. Prioritize certified helmets for your child’s safety. Find out more about it here at Amazon.com.
Nutcase Little Nutty Helmet – Safest with the Best Designs
The Nutcase Little Nutty helmet stands out as the safest option on the list. It features Multi-directional Impact Protection System (MIPS) technology that reduces rotational forces during an impact, significantly decreasing the risk of concussion and brain damage.
Nutcase Little Nutty helmet, featuring the safest design with MIPS technology and attractive aesthetics
This helmet has all the relevant certifications (ASTM + CPSC), and it offers the best designs. It includes a visor, an adjustable dial, and comfortable padding. It comes in two sizes: toddler (18.8-20.5 inches, 48-52cm) and youth (20.5-22 inches, 52-56cm). Although the most expensive on the list, the Little Nutty helmet is a worthwhile investment if safety and design are paramount. Check out the Little Nutty here on Amazon.com.
Nutcase Baby Nutty – Best for Babies with Small Heads and MIPS
The Nutcase Baby Nutty is the ultimate choice for babies, featuring MIPS technology and the highest safety standards. This is one of the best and safest options for your baby.
Nutcase Baby Nutty helmet, designed for babies with MIPS technology and focus on safety
It offers ASTM and CPSC certifications, great designs, and colors, as well as a velcro style dial for a secure fit. Designed for head sizes between 18.8 and 20.5 inches, the Baby Nutty helmet prioritizes safety and comfort for the youngest riders. Check out the Nutcase Baby Nutty helmet here on Amazon.com.
FAQ: Things to Consider Before You Buy
Prioritize Certified Helmets for Safety
Ensure the helmet you choose is certified by ASTM F1492 and CPSC.
Images of helmet certifications, highlighting the importance of these safety standards
Image showing an example of helmet certifications on an OutdoorMaster helmet
ASTM F1492 protects against multiple smaller impacts, while CPSC protects against a single large impact. Dual-certified helmets offer the most comprehensive protection. Always check for these certifications on the product description and the helmet itself. Remember to replace a helmet after any impact.
MIPS Technology for Enhanced Safety
MIPS technology helps reduce the rotational forces during an impact, offering an additional layer of safety. This is a good technology to have, and it is highly recommended for maximum safety.
Avoid Helmets with Protruding Designs
Helmets with protruding designs can be a safety hazard as they may cause the helmet to twist during an impact, leading to neck injuries. If the helmet is not certified, you should avoid it altogether.
Correct Sizing is Crucial
Ensure the helmet fits properly, snugly, and comfortably. A helmet that is too big or too small will not provide adequate protection.
Style and Comfort Matter
Choose a helmet that your child likes and is comfortable to wear. Involving them in the buying process ensures they will want to wear the helmet every time, and that is very important for safety.
Cycling vs. Skate Helmets: Understanding the Differences
Cycling helmets sit higher on the head and don’t extend as far down the back of the head. They are designed to protect against single impacts. Skateboarding helmets sit lower and are certified for multiple impacts (ASTM F1942). They provide more coverage due to the higher likelihood of multiple impacts on the ground.
Additional Safety Gear
Consider getting knee, elbow, and wrist pads. A gear set like the one from Triple 8 provides excellent protection and is available here at Amazon.com.
Replace Helmets Regularly
Replace helmets after any impact, when they are outgrown, or annually if possible. The EPS foam degrades over time and loses its ability to absorb impacts.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a helmet for your child can be difficult, but prioritizing safety, comfort, and fit is crucial. While the Triple Eight helmet is a reliable and comfortable option, the MIPS helmets from Nutcase provide the highest levels of safety. Ultimately, the best helmet is one that is certified, fits well, and is worn consistently by your child.
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