Choosing the right Kids Helmet
Your guide to selecting the best snow helmets for Kids
There’s nothing quite like hitting the slopes with your young ones, not least if you yourself love getting to the snow. But their safety is always front and centre and, given the speed some of them tackle runs at, you can’t help but want to wrap them in cotton wool.
The right kids’ ski/ snowboard helmet is a large step in the right direction for their safety and your peace of mind. Thankfully, today, finding a helmet they’ll be happy to wear is less of a battle - helmets are lighter weight and come in a huge range of styles, not to mention endless colours and patterns. The release of visor helmets has been a massive win for groms too.
Our lead helmet and eyewear expert, Jake, recently shared his top tips for kids' helmets and answered some common questions that parents ask. If you have a helmet-related question, Jake is your person - drop by the Rhythm store in Cooma or send an email to customerservice@rhythmsnowsports.com.au.
Do kids need to use a kids-specific helmet, or is an adult ski helmet okay as long as it fits?
Using an adult helmet is fine. If the helmet fits, whether it’s an adult, youth or child size, it will provide the required protection. The advances in ski helmet technology mean that there is no longer a compromise between the weight of the helmet and the level of protection either, with the latest models being super lightweight and offering advanced safety features.
We sometimes find that children are more comfortable in an “adult” helmet and vice versa for some adults in “kids” helmets, and there is no difference in the protection afforded.
My son/ daughter is still growing quickly and I’ve seen helmets that have a greater size range (e.g. 52-59cm or S/M). Is that less protective than a less adjustable helmet (e.g. 52-55cm or Small)?
No, as long as the helmet fits snuggly when tightened using the adjustable BOA, they’re good to go and there’s no disadvantage to choosing a helmet with a larger size range.
Regardless of the size range, it’s critical that, when you initially purchase the helmet, it is not too loose when the BOA is tightened. Helmets are one of those instances where “growing into it” isn’t really an option and it needs to fit properly to be protective from the start.
How often should I replace my kid's helmet?
We recommend replacing ski and snowboard helmets every five years or after any major crashes and certain minor ones, too*. If the helmet is becoming too tight on your childs head, it’s also time for a new one.
Even if the helmet has been involved in a relatively minor fall, if it is an EPS helmet (Expanded Polystyrene) it needs to be replaced. If it’s an EPP helmet (Expanded Polypropylene) it’s designed to withstand multiple minor impacts but you should still check for signs of damage to both the interior and exterior of the helmet. If you don’t know what type of ski/ snowboard helmet it is, check the model details on the manufacturer's website. If you don’t know the model and have had a fall, replacing it is the safest option.
Can I buy a second-hand ski helmet?
As kids grow out of helmets it can be tempting to opt for a second-hand helmet. While there is nothing wrong with a well-cared-for second-hand helmet, understanding its history is critical to ensuring that it’s safe. Be sure to:
Check the helmet for marks and signs of damage - inside, outside and to the fittings
Look for any parts that might have been replaced
Ask the previous owner if it’s been involved in any falls and how old it is - if they don’t know the history, it would be best not to purchase the helmet
My son/ daughter has outgrown their helmet. How can I sell/ dispose of old ski helmets?
If the helmet is in good working order and less than five years old, having not been in any collisions, try your typical second-hand marketplaces. Jindabyne also has ski markets every so often for old ski gear. From experience, charity shops tend to be reluctant to take old ski helmets but you could try this too.
If the helmet needs to be disposed of, it’s a little more tricky. Currently, we aren’t aware of any companies in Australia offering ski helmet recycling and, while you might be able to recycle small parts of your helmet if you take it to pieces, this varies significantly by region/ council. On the upside, Salomon has released news of a recyclable helmet which we expect to be available in Australia in 2025.
We only ski once a year, can my child ski in their bike or horse-riding helmet?
In general, no, you should not use a bike or horse-rising helmet for skiing. However, Smith have developed the Scout Junior helmet that can be used for biking and snow, with removable earpads and lining to make it more breathable during summer. If you’re looking for a multi-purpose helmet, ensure that it is certified for use for all of the required sports, as they will have different safety requirements and standards.
What safety features should a kids ski helmet have?
MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) can be found in kids helmets too, it’s a great added protection to have. Although kids may not be doing black runs or skiing at a fast speed, with the mountain becoming increasingly crowded, there is always the risk of a skier/ boarder having difficulties controlling their skis and running into your child.
As above, an Expanded Polypropylene (EPP) helmet is a more robust option than Expanded Polystyrene (EPS).
Choosing a kids ski/ snowboard helmet
Before going into the specifics, a few top tips:
*We always recommend a helmet with an adjustable BOA at the back with kids and to purchase it a little bigger so that the child has room to grow but not so that the helmet is loose on the smallest setting
*Find a design that your child likes - they’re much more likely to want to wear it then and it will make getting onto the slopes every morning less of a chore!
*Check the weight of the helmet. Even if they’re comfy in them at the store, remember that the helmet will be worn for the majority for the day so a lighter weight helmet is a great option
*If they find goggles uncomfortable, try a helmet with a built in visor. These were released last year and have been incredibly popular with groms. A visor helmet means no lost goggles either… Take a look at the Salomon Grom Visor.
Kids & youth ski helmet sizing
Sizing is specific to each brand, and you’ll often find that different brands fit a little differently. As such, you and your child may have a preference for one brand over another based on fit.
Some useful size charts from the major helmet brands include:
Ready to give it a go?
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