Helmet for toddler

[nammynake]

I’ll soon be introducing my son to a balance bike and looking for recommendations on helmet brands/models. He is 19 months. Thanks

[lllnorrislll]

When Islabikes were at the Birmingham Cycle show a couple of years ago, they were using ABUS helmets.

We like it so much we bought a ABUS youn-i (but a FROG bike)

[chrisch77]

Abus and Bell are both brands we’ve used for our kids in the past, but the main advice I would give you is make sure that you get a helmet with adjustable headband (usually a thumb wheel at the back like an adult helmets. That way you can make it fit securely - a lot of the cheapest helmets are essentially fixed size/shape so total pot luck if buying online and even if it fits now your child will probably quickly outgrow it.

[skilly1]

Micro scooters make great helmets.

[gazza285]

Go to the shop and buy the one that fits best.

[MockingJay]

skilly1 said:

Micro scooters make great helmets.

This is what my daughter uses.

[lufbramatt]

gazza285 said:

Go to the shop and buy the one that fits best.

^this

Helmets can be quite different shapes, I was going to get my son a Lazer helmet as I liked the look of it but when we tried it on it just didn't fit him at all (too narrow) and we ended up with a Specialized lid.

[defblade]

Then make sure you do the chin strap up snuggly. This is not entirely comfortable, which is why so many kids are riding around with a helmet on, but a very loose strap. Can actually do more damage to the throat when it comes off, even in a fall that wouldn't have been a problem without a lid; and much less likely to help in a proper crash.

[2fast748]

Just got my 2 (2 & 5 years old) these from Halfords (mail order !):

https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-helmets/kids...

They fit well (have an elasticated type system rather than thumb wheel) and seem well made.

Sizing is the big problem when you can't test them out, my 2 year old needs a 4+ size!

[Davie]

Beware of the front design! My wife bought my then 2yr old one on the advice of the local bike shop... fitted fine but seem to lack any forward protrusion at his forehead as it were. ""No no, the man said..." and that was great till he did a tank slapper one day and face planted the ground, taking the skin off his nose. Add some rain and it looked like a murder scene.

Anyways, that helmet got thrown somewhere far away and I bought him a Raleigh branded helmet via Go Outdoors, mainly because it fitted very snuggly (I echo the wheel based adjustment comments) and it is far more pronounced at the front plus has an extra peak, much like "proper" MTB helmets and thus there's much less chance of nose / tarmac scenarios. It also seems to sit down closer to his ears and much flatter on his head... his first seemed to sit at a jaunty angle which further increased the risk of facial reconstruction.

Simply not worth skimping or getting one that isn't right... try them on, it's the only way to do it.

[Omaruk]

Agree don't skimp and ensure fit and coverage is good. I use a Petzl Picchu climbing/cycling helmet for my little one due to fit and coverage, I find it far better than the traditional kids helmet.