Cycle helmets for children: What parents need to look out for!

Perfect fit

A poorly adjusted bicycle helmet may offer hardly any protection. Explain to your child how the helmet should fit and, if in doubt, have the helmet adjusted by a specialist retailer. The basic rules: The forehead must not be exposed and the helmet must fit "shake-proof" even with the chin strap open. The chin strap must not be able to slip forwards over the chin, but should also not be unnecessarily tightened. (see photo above)

Moral support

Wearing a helmet should be as comfortable as possible for children. When buying a helmet, make sure that the fastener on the chin has little "pinch potential" and that the rotating wheel at the back of the head does not pinch any hair. Insect protection in the ventilation openings also helps to ensure that a bike outing with a helmet does not turn into a horror trip for the little ones.

Infants

If your child is travelling in a child seat or trailer, the helmet must be suitable for this purpose. A flattened rear can be useful so that the helmet is not permanently pushed forwards. In this case, check not only the fit of the helmet, but also the fit with the child seat or trailer before buying.

Alpina Carapax Jr.

Enduro feeling and trail fun just like the big boys - that's what the Carapax Jr. stands for. Alpina emphasises good adaptability and builds an insect screen into the front of the 15 ventilation holes. Suitable for a head circumference of 51 to 56 centimetres. Also available with integrated rear light.
Weight 230 grams, price 64.95 euros >> e.g. available here.

Cratoni Maxster Pro

The new children's helmet from Cratoni is also modelled on modern all-mountain helmets for adults: the back is pulled down far for optimum protection and the helmet can be adjusted to the head circumference using a one-handed rotary knob. A drawstring is integrated into the chin strap, making it easy to open even for small children. Clever: A red rear light is integrated into the fastening at the back of the head. The facts: 14 ventilation openings, insect protection, weight 230 grams, two sizes, price 49.95 euros >> e.g. available here.

Interview with Sebastian Schwager, Product Manager Helmets at Alpina:
"He'll grow into it" - this argument should not be used when buying a helmet."

What should parents consider when buying helmets for their children?
The adjustment options and wearing comfort are crucial - because children will only wear a helmet if it is comfortable. So be sure to take time to try on the helmet to find out whether it really fits the shape of the head. Even a child will notice relatively quickly whether the helmet is pinching anywhere. Incidentally, children's heads grow in different directions - so helmets should also be easily adjustable in width.

Are there differences between children's and adult helmets?
The arrangement of the ventilation openings is particularly important for small children. The helmet should of course be well ventilated, but the head should not be directly exposed to the sun's rays. And with a children's helmet, we attach even more importance to good padding and a comfortable fit than with a performance-orientated helmet.

Normal helmet in a small size - is that possible?
If it fits the shape of your head, this is generally not a problem. In this case, it is all the more important to try it on thoroughly. A helmet with a particularly wide adjustment range is of course interesting for fast-growing children.

Does that make sense?
If I as a helmet manufacturer only pay attention to passing a safety standard, I can realise a very large adjustment range. In practice, however, the closer the material sits to the head, the less I have to adjust the helmet, the safer it is. The classic argument "it will grow into it" should not be used when buying a helmet.