Bontrager Solstice Youth

Bottom Line

The Bontrager Solstice Youth holds up well to rigorous impact testing by a credible watchdog agency. Not only is the helmet safe, but it's also comfortable, affordable and comes in fun colors for boys and girls alike.

Performance

Strong in-molded shell. The Bontrager Solstice Youth garners praise from a consumer watchdog after their review of late-model helmets in 2012. Passing stringent impact tests, it is the proven choice for protecting children's noggins. Additionally, the ease of use impresses reviewers. The tester at RidingAgainstTheGrain.com purchased the Bontrager Solstice Youth for his 4-year-old daughter and reports both he and his little girl are happy with the helmet's fit, ventilation and style. The helmet's interior foam has internal reinforcements and is in-molded to the shell.

Comfort

Lightweight and comfortable. At 300 grams, the Bontrager Solstice Youth falls in the middle range of most adult models -- not so heavy it will be a nuisance for young riders on an afternoon cycle. The interior has adequate padding and easily adjusts to fit smaller or larger heads via the Micro-Manager Fit System, which is operated by turning a dial at the back of the helmet. A reviewer at RidingAgainstTheGrain.com says it's even a good choice for children who have long hair and up-do hairstyles.

Ownership

Adult design for kid-sized heads. With more mature designs, the Solstice Youth is great for children growing out of the desire for cartoon helmets and is also suitable for preteens and teens with smaller heads. According to users, this Bontrager model is a kid-sized helmet that looks, feels and performs like a quality adult helmet.