Best bike helmets for toddlers and kids
For the youngest riders, reviews say the Bell Boomerang (*Est. $30) is the best of the bunch. This bike helmet for toddlers performs well in independent testing, where it scores highly on impact absorption and fit, but it receives only a fair rating for ventilation. The Bell Boomerang fits toddler head sizes from 18.5 inches to 20.5 inches and it comes with a stretchy material that hugs the head for a snug fit. The Boomerang ships in a variety of kid-friendly colors and patterns, and it also comes with a detachable foam visor and pinch-guard buckle. Bicycling magazine calls it a "good choice for the little cyclist in your life." On Amazon.com, most parents are happy with the Bell Boomerang helmet, but some reviewers note that the helmet protrudes slightly in the back, which irritates some younger children who are unable to lean back fully in a bike trailer or stroller. Since this helmet only comes in one size, some parents find it too small for their toddlers.
The Giro Me2 (*Est. $25) toddler helmet also has good impact absorption in tests, but it scores lower on this count than the Bell Boomerang. Still, the Giro Me2 gets above-average ratings from parents posting to Amazon.com, and multiple reviewers say the smooth, rounded back is preferable to the pointy design on the Bell Boomerang. The adjustable fit system also gets rave reviews, particularly because it allows parents to tighten the helmet without fiddling with chin straps. The Giro Me2 fits toddler head sizes between 18.5 inches and 20.5 inches, and it comes in a pattern of colorful chicks, ducks, pigs or bunnies with a built-in bug net. If a Giro helmet is involved in a crash, buyers may be able to get a credit toward a new helmet through the company's crash-replacement program by submitting a letter, the helmet and the receipt to Giro.
The Specialized Small Fry (*Est. $40) comes in two sizes -- one for toddlers up to 3 years old and another for older children between the ages of 3 and 7. The toddler size fits heads between 17.25 inches and 20.5 inches, so it can accommodate smaller heads than either the Giro Me2 or the Bell Boomerang. The youth helmet fits head sizes of 18.5 inches to 21.75 inches. London's Telegraph newspaper finds the full-head fit band provides a snug fit with minimal hassle. Cookie magazine agrees, saying the Specialized Small Fry is much easier to adjust than other youth bike helmets. The biggest downside? The Specialized Small Fry is harder to find than Bell or Giro helmets, since Specialized helmets are only sold in bike shops or online.
For older children, the Bell Trigger (*Est. $30) excels in crash tests and is favored by experts for ease of use and its ErgoDial Fit retention system. The Trigger's design is made to look like an adult helmet -- cooler and less cartoonish -- to appeal to older children. It weighs 8.7 ounces and fits head sizes between 19.7 inches to 22.45 inches. With 23 vents, the Bell Trigger has very good ventilation. The few parents who post to Amazon.com are very pleased with the Bell Trigger helmet, saying it has a precise fit that kids like to wear. The Bell Trigger does not come with a detachable visor, but you can spend a little more to get a visor on the nearly-identical Bell Alibi (*Est. $40).
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