Top 5 Best Toddler Helmets | 2017 Reviews
Any form of physical activity is recommended for you and your entire family to keep everyone healthy and happy. Going on bicycle rides are a great form of exercise and entertainment, for example, and it is required for anyone of any age to go and protect their heads with bicycle helmets. Whether your child rides a bike on their own or rides along with you, helmets are required to help keep their tiny heads safe especially during a fall.
Bike helmets are made from fairly inexpensive materials so if you decide to go for the high-end and pricey ones, remember that you are paying for the lighter weight, better ventilation, style and perhaps a combination of all.
As for the toddler helmet, there are a few things that you might want to keep in mind before making the decision to purchase one. Most helmets available in the market are designed for school-aged kids who have much larger heads than toddlers. Aside from the size, it is also important to consider other things such as weight, ventilation, style and color. They may still be young but kids this age already know how to say no to things that they don’t like!
Another thing you might want to look at when choosing a toddler bike helmet is the CPSC certification. Kids around three years old should not be getting helmets with a 1+ certification as these will be too small for the head of a toddler or preschooler. At this age, a certification of 5+ should be the standard.
So, to give a recap, the things that you should consider in a kid’s bike helmet include the size, weight, ventilation (the more vents, the better the air circulation), chin straps (some helmets make adjusting the fit a breeze through the dial adjust feature) and construction (in-mold models tend to be more lightweight and durable than the hardshell).
Confused yet? Sorry about that. As parents ourselves, we at the ParentsNeed HQ are only in the lookout for what is best for our kids and we want to make sure that you make the best decisions as it is their safety and comfort that is at stake.
If you still cannot decide which of the kid’s helmets to go for, we’ve come up with a list of the top 5 best and most recommended toddler helmets. Hopefully the bicycle helmet reviews below will help clear up your mind so you can make the best purchasing decision. Otherwise, you can check out our comprehensive Best Helmets for Infants and Toddlers Buying Guide here.
Quick Comparison Table
|
Giro Scamp MIPS Helmet |
Uvex 2016 Hero Junior Bicycle Helmet |
Lazer P’Nut Helmet with MIPS |
Bell Sidetrack Helmet |
Catlike Kitten Child Helmet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
$$$ |
$$$ |
$$$ |
$$$ |
$$$ |
|
49-53 cm |
49-52 cm |
50-56 cm |
50-57 cm |
49-52 cm |
|
8 vents |
13 vents |
16 vents |
15 vents |
23 vents |
 |
|
|
|
|
Giro Scamp MIPS Helmet
We start off our toddler helmet reviews with what we believe is the best in the market, the Giro Scamp Toddler Helmet.
There are many things to like about this product. For one, it comes in fun, non-geeky designs that even picky toddlers will love wearing. Plus, they are also lightweight and slimmer so it doesn’t get in the way during biking. The Dial Adjust system is also a big plus that both parents and kids love.
But, what is really great about this kid’s helmet is the MIPS technology that it comes with. Basically, what it does is add an extra layer of protection to the wearer’s head in case of certain impacts. The MIPS is made from a thin plastic shell that will stretch and move around so that the helmet rotates around the head during impact. The only con to the anchors holding this shell is that it easily snags the hair although this is just a very minor disadvantage.
Aside from use during biking, the Giro Scamp’s flatter back design makes it ideal for use on trailers and bike seats. For the awesome safety technology that it is fitted with, lightweight and cool design and the fair price, we are placing the Giro Scamp helmet the first position in the list.
|
Details of the Giro Scamp MIPS Helmet |
|
|---|---|
|
Size |
49-53 cm |
|
Weight |
251 grams |
|
Number of Vents |
8 |
|
Reflector |
No |
|
Visor |
Yes |
|
Dial Adjust System |
Yes |
|
Skater Style |
No |
|
Construction |
In-mold |
Uvex 2016 Hero Junior Bicycle Helmet
Uvex is a German brand that provides exceptional helmets and high end sporting gear products.
There are basically five main reasons why we love the Uvex and putting it high up on our list. For starters, this bike helmet for kids comes with a unique buckle which is the monomatic closure. Putting on the helmet and ensuring proper fit becomes much easier through this buckle and its design is truly one that is pinch free. The only downside is that sliding the buckle upside down is possible which will not allow it to lock in place.
Other things we love about the Uvex Hero toddler helmet is its in-mold construction, which is extremely durable, numerous vents with mesh covers, inner padding strips and visors. At just a little over 200 grams, this helmet for kids is among the lightest in our list making it highly recommended for children. It also has a removable LED light that blinks when turned on, adding yet another safety feature.
Perhaps the only thing that we do not like is its price although we are only talking about a difference of $14 between this brand and the Giro Scamp. You might also want to make sure to measure your child’s head properly before putting in your order as the UVEX Hero tends to be on the small side even for toddlers.
|
Details of the Uvex 2016 Hero Junior Bicycle Helmet |
|
|---|---|
|
Size |
49-52 cm |
|
Weight |
205 grams |
|
Number of Vents |
13 |
|
Reflector |
Yes |
|
Visor |
Yes |
|
Dial Adjust System |
Yes |
|
Skater Style |
No |
|
Construction |
In-mold |
Lazer P’Nut Helmet with MIPS
Lazer is among the oldest helmet manufacturers in the world and you can trust that they produce only the best products for their consumers to use.
More than just protecting your child’s head, their cool bike helmets were designed with style, comfort and technology in mind. Just like the Giro Scamp, the Lazer P’Nut Helmet also comes with MIPS and the non-MIPS designs, which is evident in the yellow cage inside it. Another thing we love about the Lazer helmet is its expanded plastic shell which covers and protects the foam that is exposed on the underside of the helmet so it does not easily get punctured or dented.
The Autofit system is also another stand-out feature for this specialized bike helmet. Basically, this means that the helmet comes with extra inner tension wires that allow it to perfectly fit around the kid’s head. With the system in place, there is no longer a need for an adjustment dial. However, it’s really important to take note that parents will still need to adjust the straps manually, as well as the side-ear sliders so as to ensure proper fit during first time use.
The Lazer P’Nut also has comes with different Crazy nutshells that will definitely become a big hit to your toddler. Among the most popular ones that they can try are the Pretty nutshell, Spacy nutshell or the Fireman nutshell. These shells easily snap on to the main helmet, which usually comes in white, black, Race Red and Race Green.
While this bicycle helmet has great touches with its lightweight and durable design and other safety features, the fitting is a little problematic for wearers with long hair as it tends to slide down and go out of place within several minutes of use. This helmet is also the heaviest in this group and may feel quite uncomfortable to some kids so you might want to consider another model that is much lighter. It is also slightly pricier than the Uvex Hero helmet thus we are placing this one on the third spot in our list.
|
Details of the Lazer P’Nut Helmet with MIPS |
|
|---|---|
|
Size |
50-56 cm |
|
Weight |
300 grams |
|
Number of Vents |
16 |
|
Reflector |
No |
|
Visor |
Yes |
|
Dial Adjust System |
Auto |
|
Skater Style |
No |
|
Construction |
In-mold |
Bell Sidetrack Helmet
Bell bike helmets are designed for kids five years and older but it also greatly depends on the size of your child’s head. Among those included here in our most recommended helmets for toddlers, the Bell bicycle helmets have the largest maximum diameter. You can also choose from two different sizes so you can switch helmets as your child grows. What is there to love about the Bell helmet? For starters, the design comes with a much lower coverage at the back of the head so that you can have peace of mind that no injuries will happen in case of a non-frontal fall.
Another great feature about the Bell Sidetrack is that it has 15 vents all throughout the helmet, allowing for a comfortable ride for your kid. It also comes with an ErgoDial fit system and a PinchGuard buckle to ensure that it fits the head comfortably and that snapping in the buckles will not result to accidental pinching. The toddler helmet also has Snap-in visors so your kid’s eyes are protected from the sun during biking. Visors can also help further protect your kid’s face in case they fall face front although snap-ons are not the most durable kinds.
While this toddler’s helmet is still among the best ones available in the market, we feel like it still has so much potential. The price point is definitely much lower – in fact, it is the cheapest on our list – which makes us a little skeptical about the overall quality of the product. This is definitely still in our recommendation list but we suggest you take a good look at it and compare it with other products before finalizing your purchase.
Thus, in conclusion, the Bell bike helmets take the fourth spot in our list.
|
Details of the Bell Sidetrack Helmet |
|
|---|---|
|
Size |
50-57 cm |
|
Weight |
286 grams |
|
Number of Vents |
15 |
|
Reflector |
No |
|
Visor |
Yes |
|
Dial Adjust System |
Yes |
|
Skater Style |
No |
|
Construction |
In-mold |
Catlike Kitten Child Helmet
Yet another of the best helmets to consider is this one from Catlike. The Catlike Kitten child helmet is not as the other brands in our list but it certainly does not mean that it cannot compete alongside them. Catlike has Spanish roots and the Kitten is their line specially designed for toddlers and younger bikers.
One of the things that we love about this helmet is that it has a wheel adjustment at the back of the helmet which allows it to stay in place even after a long time of use. Parents no longer have to worry about it sliding down the back of the head and exposing the forehead because it stays securely in place. To get the best fit, all you have to do is tighten or loosen it using the wheel adjustment – each click will tell you that it has been loosened or tightened by 1mm at a time.
At 215 grams, the Catlike is the second lightest toddler helmet in our list and if that is the biggest criteria in choosing a helmet for you, then this should definitely be among the top products to consider for your kid.
But, as much as we like this bike helmet for toddlers, it still falls short on a lot of aspects. For example, we would have loved for this product to come with built-in visors to add more protection in case the wearer will fall face first. Thus, we will have to push this down further in our list, putting it on fifth place.
|
Details of the Catlike Kitten Child Helmet |
|
|---|---|
|
Size |
49-52 cm |
|
Weight |
215 grams |
|
Number of Vents |
23 |
|
Reflector |
No |
|
Visor |
No |
|
Dial Adjust System |
Yes |
|
Skater Style |
No |
|
Construction |
In-mold |
Conclusion
There are still a lot of considerations that you might want to remember when shopping around for the best helmet for toddlers. But, in the end, it is your kid’s comfort and safety that should be the top priority. No matter how great a helmet is, if your kid is not comfortable wearing it, then it will not be able to provide the best protection that it potentially can.
Make sure to consult your little ones in your decision to ensure that both of you agree on your choice of bicycle helmet for toddlers.
FAQ (By Our Ardent Readers)
- Why would a child need to wear toddler helmet while biking? The answer is simple. Pure safety. When a child falls over from a bike while riding on it or as a passenger, the first part to hit the ground is the head which may cause severe injuries. Considering child safety it is absolutely necessary for the child to wear helmet while biking.
- Why is it so important to wear a helmet? Helmet is the first line of defence. We can't stress enough on the safety aspects of your child while on the bike. No matter how closely you are monitoring your child, accidents can happen and cause serious injuries to your little one. To avoid any such harm , we strongly recommend children to wear toddler helmets while on bike.
- Is it against the law to ride a bike without wearing helmet? Yes it is. There are strict laws put in place in 22 states, to wear a helmet while on road. It is similar to wearing a seatbelt while driving.
- Do toddler helmets reduce head injuries? Yes most certainly it does reduce the risk of death. 75% of all accidents involves head injuries. By wearing helmet you could reduce the damage caused during accidents and aid for quicker recovery.
- How does helmet protect your toddler's head? Well it is better not to crash at all. But in the worst circumstances if they do, better crash with a helmet as it absorbs 90% of the force caused by the impact during the crash and can reduce the risk of fatal death. The injuries caused by wearing a helmet is a lot lesser as compared to wearing no helmet at all.
- Why are bicycle helmets shaped the way they are? The toddler helmets are circle in shape to fit the shape of the head and is aerodynamically designed so that less air particles enter the helmet and does not get in the way during crash. If the air particles come in the way during impact, it creates a force called drag and results in serious injuries to the head.
- Can i buy cheap toddler helmets? Cheap toddler helmets which are not certified for safety does not do the job they are meant to do. So there is no real benefit of wearing it. As it is the safety of your child, we would recommend a standard one. Please read through our reviews to find your best pick that suits your budget.
- Do toddler helmets expire? Not really unless it is damaged or worn out. They can be used for years to come.
- Do toddlers need helmets on bike trailers? Yes of course as they are still on their own bike at the back and can still fall off.
- Are toddler helmets available in different sizes? Are they adjustable? yes they are available in various sizes and also has a adjustable band to fasten it tight.
- How to measure toddler head for helmets? Take a garment measuring tape and wrap it around one inch above his/her eyebrows to find the exact size.
- How should a toddler helmet fit? The helmet should sit low on the forehead leaving 2 finger spaces above the eyebrow. The side straps should form a 'Y' below the ear and the child should be able to comfortably see the rim of the bicycle.
- How to get a toddler wear the helmet? We completely agree that it is extremely challenging. But we have to explain the risks of not wearing it and highlight the importance of it several times until they get a hang of it. May be you could try luring them by buying them their favorite character helmets so they enjoy flaunting them.
- How to choose the best toddler helmet for my child? We understand it is extremely tricky to chose the one that suits you the best as there are several available in the market. Our review page about best toddler helmets will help you understand the various types of helmets and also provide a price tag for you to suit your budget.
- Where can i buy toddler helmets? You could buy them in store or shop online from trusted online retailers like amazon for best prices.
The post Top 5 Best Toddler Helmets | 2017 Reviews appeared first on ParentsNeed.
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