Bell Trigger

Reviewers say the Bell Trigger is the best bike helmet for kids; it performs well in crash testing and has a huge number of vents -- 23 in all -- for a kids' bike helmet. Parents are fans of the Trigger's pinch-proof buckle, and the rounded profile has few snag points that can catch during a crash. The Trigger comes in one size that can accommodate head sizes between 19.75 inches and 22.5 inches. It has no cartoonish images, so it resembles an adult helmet and is more suitable for older kids from ages five to 12, and it doesn't come with a visor. Parents posting to online review sites say that the Bell Trigger helmet is easy to fit and kids generally like to wear it. However, some parents complain that the straps don't lie flat. If you have a younger child between the ages of one and five, reviewers recommend the Giro Me2 (*Est. $30), which also performs well in independent impact tests.

The Bell Trigger does not get as many reviews as adult bike helmets. ConsumerReports.org tests this helmet for impact absorption, fit, ventilation and ease of use. Although the site rates the helmet on various criteria, there is little analysis to accompany the ratings. The Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute also discusses the Trigger in relation to other Bell youth helmets. We found a couple of owner-written reviews at Amazon.com.