Helmets are a non-negotiable in our house if you are riding a bike. But is a full face helmet really necessary? We hope we can help you answer that question for the young bikers in your family and give you some of our team recommendations!
When our oldest was 6 and was upgraded to a 20″ Specialized Riprock, we knew we wanted to have better protection for her face as she started biking more and on bigger trails. Our main reason for choosing a full face helmet for her was to protect her face in the event of a crash. She isn’t a big risk taker or doing extreme things, but it only takes one crash on the trail to do some damage.
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I watched her go over the handlebars on her balance bike when she was 3 and wished she had a full face helmet then. Thankfully those physical scars healed and she was not mentally scarred by the crash. Last year when she was 6, my husband watched her slip out on some algae covered rocks at a river crossing in Bentonville and almost smash her face on the rocks. Thankfully she was wearing her Maya Full Face Child Helmet and the chin bar protected her face. It could have been so much worse!
And again at age 7 during a race course pre-ride early this summer she grabbed a handful of her front brake and over the handlebars she went. She had one bruise on her elbow and a little scuff on her chin bar – full face for the win again!
Our youngest is a bit braver, but smaller and we have struggled to find a small, lightweight, full face helmet for her. I would have preferred to have her in a full face last year when she was pedaling at age 3, but we couldn’t find anything to fit her well, so we have just been using her Smith Wilder Jr.
Full face helmets can be heavy, and might not be the best choice for smaller bikers, plus the selection is rather limited for smaller heads.
Finding a kids full face helmet for young bikers can be challenging, but we hope these suggestions help your littlest riders.
When Should Your Child Wear a Full Face Helmet?
For our family, if we are riding trails, Kylie (our oldest) is wearing her full face. If we are casual or road riding, we remove the chin bar and she wears it like a traditional bike helmet. There have even been times where we have given her the option and she chose to leave her chin bar on since she felt safer.
Trails, Jumps, or Riskier Riding
For little kids and toddlers I would probably reserve the full face helmet for riskier riding like trails and jumps. The extra weight and warmth of a full face (especially a shell helmet) for a casual ride might not be necessary and a regular helmet with MIPS would probably suffice.
Downhill and BMX Riding
A lot of downhill MTB parks and all downhill races require a downhill certified helmet, so if you are planning to do downhill MTB, make sure you have a certified helmet. BMX racers are also required to wear a full face with the appropriate certification.
Anyone Who Wants a Little Extra Protection
And if you just want a little extra protection in case your little one takes a big spill, thats all right too! We have never regretted picking up a full face and I see more and more little rippers wearing full face helmets these days.
I would love to see a lightweight helmet like the Kali Maya Full Face Child available down in sizing to 46-47 cm heads so there could be a lightweight option with chin bar protection for the littlest riders no matter when they are riding.
Once you get into adult sizing (51-52 cm) the selection for lightweight, breathable full face helmets really opens up! There are a lot of options with varying levels of coverage. This post will focus mostly on helmets fitting heads under 52cm.
Reminder – the best helmet is the one fits properly and the one you or your kids will wear every single time!
Youth Full Face Helmet Types
There are a few different designs of full face bicycle helmets on the market.
Any bike helmets sold in the US is required to meet the CPSC Standard, if they do not meet this standard, please do not purchase. There is also ASTM F1447 which is identical to CPSC.
I am yet to find a full face helmet of any style for heads smaller than 47cm, so if you have any leads drop them in the comments! I would love to see some lightweight helmets with chin bars for all the little shredders out there.
Downhill Approved Full Face Helmet- ASTM F1952
These helmets meet the ASTM Standards for Downhill Biking and these types of helmets are often required for downhill bike parks and any downhill racing. They provide more coverage and are tested at higher impact levels.
Summary: ASTM’s F1952 Downhill Mountain Bicycle Racing helmet standard is significantly more stringent than the CPSC bicycle helmet standard. A helmet needs much more coverage to meet F1952, and is tested at higher impact levels. Chinbars are not required, but are tested if they are present.
Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute
Full Face Helmet but Not Downhill Approved
Just because a helmet is not downhill approved does not make it a bad choice. Unless you are planning to do something where you need a DHA helmet, you could use a non-DHA helmet. Helmets the meet the ASTM F1952 are tested at higher levels, but but little ones who just need face protection, it may not be necessary. They may even be a little lighter weight and offer more ventilation but still have valuable face protection.
Removable Chin Bar / Convertible Full Face Helmet
This last kind of full face helmet is most comparable to a regular bike helmet with the addition of a chin bar that can be removed. Some may be DHA, others are not. They often have a lot of venting and are lightweight compared to a “shell” full face helmet.
The removable chin bar gives you more flexibility with one helmet. Remove the chin bar for casual/road rides and add back in for more risky riding. These types of helmets typically have a dial adjustment in the back which can give a more precise fit and extended fit range for longer wear on a growing child.
Fit of Full Face Helmet
To test the fit of a helmet, put the helmet on making sure it is no more than two finger widths above the eyebrow, snug the straps so you can fit one finger through and tighten the dial if there is one, then shake the head YES and look for excessive movement. Then shake the head NO and check for movement. Is the helmet still positioned properly? Did it move around on the head when shaking? If it was moving around and is not in the same spot, that helmet is probably too big.
One of the downsides to full shell full face helmets (like Bell Sanction, 7iDP M1), companies will often use one shell for multiple sizes and adjust the padding on the inside for sizing. This isn’t great for the smallest riders because they can end up with a larger shell with a lot of padding which increases the weight and profile on the small child and is a lot hotter on those summer days.
Hard-shell Full Face Helmets vs. In-mold Full Face Bike Helmets
In a hard-shell helmet, the shell is cast separate from the foam liner and then they are molded together. With in-mold helmets, the shell and liner and formed in one mold and then fused together. Here is a quick video demonstrating the differences in construction.
Shell full face helmets (looks more similar to a motorcycle helmet) typically have a fiberglass exterior shell that is all one piece with lots of padding on the inside, very similar to a motorcycle helmet. There will be a strap under the chin which is either a side push buckle or a double D ring. The fit in these helmets are more precise (1-3 cm range of fit) and are not adjustable. However, very protective.
Shell helmets and helmets without a removeable chin bar typically are the snuggest fitting and most protective, but often the heaviest.
Full face bike helmets that use in-mold have a more traditional bike helmet look to them with a chin bar, sometimes removeable. These are typically lighter-weight than hard-shell helmets and more breathable. They also have a wider ranger of fit as well as they utilize dials to tighten the helmet in the back.
Full Face Kids Helmet Options
Here are some of the best full face helmet options out there for little riders. Once again, this list mostly focuses on helmets fitting under 52cm. Any helmet that we had in our possession I also weighed on our kitchen scale to compare.
Before purchasing any helmet, check out the Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings. Unfortunately, none of the helmets below are currently on the list but they are always testing new helmets, so check back.
The list is in alphabetical order and not ranked as there are many personal preferences!
Author Note: I have come to the conclusion that perhaps my youngest daughter has a narrower head than average which may be the reason some of these don’t fit as well as they should even when she is in the size range.
100% Status Youth Full Face Helmet
The 100% Status Youth is a popular option for little rippers. It has an ultralight fiberglass shell with a removable liner and cheek pads that are washable. The Status has an adjustable visor and lots of vents to keep cool. This helmet is best for downhill riding and BMX.
Author Note: Unfortunately this helmet didn’t make it past the try-on phase for us. My youngest has a 48.5cm head and tried on the Youth Medium which fits 49-50 cm heads. Unfortunately it was not a secure fit and didn’t pass the “yes/no” test. We should have sized down. You can see the large gaps near her temples in the photo below.
What We Like:
- Removable liner and cheek pads for washing
- Padding is soft and comfortable
- Lots of ventilation
What We Don’t Like:
- Bulky
- No MIPS
- D-Ring closure is tricky for kids
Helmet Specs:
- Helmet Construction: ABS Shell with EPS liner
- Sizes Available: S (47-48cm), M (49-50cm), L (51-52cm)
- Weight: (no size indicated) 880 grams (manufacturer weight), M – 875g (on our kitchen scale)
- Price: $175
- Downhill Approved: Yes
- Standards and Certifications: The Status Youth is tested and certified according to ASTM (F1952-15), CPSC (16 CFR 1203), CE (EN 1078:2012+A1:2012), and AS/NZS (2063:2008) Bicycle Standards
- Crash Replacement Program: Yes, 35% of a new helmet. Details here.
7idp M1 Full Face Helmet – KRB Team Tested and Recommended!
The 7idp M1 Full Face Helmet is a good all around full face helmet. Lightweight and breathable with 13 vents. Also comes in 5 different colors.
Author Note: Unfortunately this helmet didn’t make it past the try-on phase for us. My youngest has a 48.5cm head and tried on the Youth Medium which fits 48-49 cm heads. Unfortunately it was not a secure fit and didn’t pass the “yes/no” test.
What We Like:
- Good ventilation
- Less bulky than some others
- Great price point for a full face
What We Don’t Like:
- No MIPS
- Chinstrap is difficult for kids
- We found it runs a little big, but Team Member Sara thought it ran a little small.
Helmet Specs:
- Helmet Construction: ABS Shell
- Sizes Available: YM (48-50cm), YL (50-52cm), Adult XS (53-54cm) through Adult XL (61-62cm)
- Weight: Adult M – 900g (manufacturer weight), Youth Medium – 921g (on our kitchen scale)
- Price: $110
- Downhill Approved: No
- Standards and Certifications: Complies to CPSC Standards
- Crash Replacement Program: Yes, if your 7iDP product has been damaged in a crash or any other mishap, you are eligible for a 50% discount on a new 7iDP replacement item.
The youth M1 helmet is lightweight and was very affordable (7iDP has great sales!). They seem to run small, so I suggest sizing up. My very small 7 year old daughter is wearing the youth size medium and I don’t think it will fit her next summer. It doesn’t have as much padding inside as the Fox and Fly helmets so it feels less bulky and it’s definitely light (840 grams). This is the helmet my kids prefer over the other two brands we own. Only con is the chin strap is impossible for kids to do on their own.
KRB Team Member Sara
Abus YouDrop FF – KRB Team Testing in Progress!
The Abus You Drop FF is very lightweight! Coming it at 440g, one of the lightest on our list. Simple design with a removable chin bar and removable visor. It also has a wide fit range to grow with your child. The back dial is also height adjustable to dial in a more precise fit or allow room to put a ponytail through. The visor is also held on with hook and loop vs a rigid attachment. This allows the visor to easily pop off in the event of a crash, potentially reducing strain on the neck.
Author Note: We are currently in the process of testing this helmet, but unfortunately it was still a little loose on our 48.5 cm head kid. I feel like this helmet may be a better fit for kids with more round heads.
What We Like:
- Very lightweight
- Removable chin bar for flexibility
- Dial adjustment in the back for extended fit
- Removable pads that can be hand washed
What We Don’t Like:
- No MIPS
- Runs a little big
Helmet Specs:
- Helmet Construction: In-Mould for a permanent bond between the outer shell and the shock-absorbing helmet material (EPS)
- Sizes Available: One size, 48-55 cm
- Weight: 440g (manufacturer weight)
- Price: $130 (newer helmet to USA market, can be harder to find)
- Downhill Approved: No
- Standards and Certifications: Complies to CPSC Standards, CE EN1078:2012
- Crash Replacement Program: Not noted on website, but you can always try and email customer service as they may give you a discount code.
Bell Sanction Full Face Helmet – Favorite Toddler Full Face Helmet
The Bell Sanction is a full shell helmet that is our top full shell pick for little riders. Recommended by many KRB Team Members, this helmets fits the smallest heads well. A side pinch buckle makes this easier to get on and off than D ring helmets.
Author Note: This was the only helmet we tried on that securely fit our 48.5cm head. You can see in the photo below that her cheeks are actually squished like they should be in a full face shell.
What We Like:
- Lightweight and good fitting
- Side pinch buckle closure is easy to use
- Good price point for a full face
What We Don’t Like:
- No MIPS
Helmet Specs:
- Helmet Construction: ABS Shell with EPS Liner
- Sizes Available: XS (48-51cm), S (52-54cm), M (55-57cm), L (58-60cm)
- Weight: M – 850g (manufacturer weight), XS – 850g (on our kitchen scale)
- Price: $110 (but often found on sale!)
- Downhill Approved: No
- Standards and Certifications: Complies to CPSC Standards
- Crash Replacement Program: Yes, if your Bell bike helmet has been involved in an accident, you may be eligible for a discount on a new Bell replacement helmet.
Fly Racing Youth Rayce Helmet
The Youth Rayce is a quality helmet for those looking to go big on some downhill. It has a D ring closure which is secure, but can be tricky for little hands.
What We Like:
- Padding can be removed for washing.
- Full coverage, secure helmet
What We Don’t Like:
- D ring closures can be hard for little hands.
Helmet Specs:
- Helmet Construction: Polycarbonate-alloy shell with EPS foam liner
- Sizes Available: YS (47-48cm), YM (49-50cm), YL (51-52cm)
- Weight: Adult M 930g (manufacturer weight), Youth M – 873g for old Rayce model (manufacturer weight)
- Price: $120 (2023 is closeout product now, can find cheaper!)
- Downhill Approved: Yes
- Standards and Certifications: CPSC 1203, ASTM F1952-15, CE EN 1078:2012/A1:2012
- Crash Replacement Program: Not noted on website, but you can always try and email customer service as they may give you a discount code.
Fox Youth Rampage – KRB Team Tested
The Fox Youth Rampage is a downhill certified youth helmet for kids who are ready to send it. MIPS technology and a double D ring closure make this a great safety pick.
What We Like:
- MIPS equipped
- Adjustable visor
What We Don’t Like:
- Lack of YM size (50-51cm) makes in between sized heads tricky
Helmet Specs:
- Helmet Construction: Lightweight, injection molded ABS shell
- Sizes Available: YS (49-50cm), YL (51-52cm)
- Weight: YS 980g +/- 50g (manufacturer weight), YL 980g +/- 50g (manufacturer weight)
- Price: $215
- Downhill Approved: YES!
- Standards and Certifications: ASTM F1952-15
- Crash Replacement Program: Not noted on website, but you can always try and email customer service as they may give you a discount code.
The Fox helmets have a lot of padding and and they are a little beefier than some other full face. The weight is about 1000 grams. They only offer 2 youth sizes – youth small and youth large – which is a bummer if you’re in between sizes. Super safe helmet that is ASTM DH certified, however the chin strap is hard for kids to do on their own – I have to do it for them.
KRB Team Member Sara
IXS Trigger Full Face Helmet
The IXS Trigger Full Face Helmet is a lightweight full face helmet that fits and breathes like a traditional bike helmet with a good size range. There is a MIPS version and one without MIPS.
What We Like:
- MIPS technology
- Dial adjuster on the back for a precise fit
- Magnetic closure is easy for little hands
What We Don’t Like:
- One of the most expensive on the list
Helmet Specs:
- Helmet Construction: In-mould technology with EPS liner
- Sizes Available: XS (49-54cm)
- Weight: S – 595g (manufacturer weight)
- Price: $270
- Downhill Approved: YES!
- Standards and Certifications: EN1078:2012+A1, CPSC, ASTM F1952-15 + F1446-15b, KC
- Crash Replacement Program: Yes, through the Gravity Cartel. The Gravity Cartel offers a pro-rated crash replacement program to the original owner from the date of purchase up to three (3) years on select iXS goods.
Kali Protectives Maya Child Full Face Helmet – KRB Team Tested and Recommended!
This helmet offers the best of both worlds! Full face protection for trails or when more protection is needed and take the chin bar off for road or leisurely rides. One button on each side removes the chin bar. Just pop back into the slots until it clicks and its back to full face.
Author Note: We have been loving this helmet for over a year now. We still have room to grow, but it is a secure fit with my oldest, it doesn’t fit my youngest (pictured below) yet because she only has a 48.5cm head. You can see it looks loose on her head in the photos below.
What We Like:
- We love that it is very lightweight but still offers valuable protection
- Crash replacement guarantee for the lifetime of the helmet
What We Don’t Like:
- Only goes down to 50cm, would love to see another size of this helmet start around 46cm
- The liner sometimes gets caught on long hair, but head bands and braids normally keep it to a minimum.
Helmet Specs:
- Helmet Construction: Quad Core LDL Layer – Composite Fusion
- Sizes Available: One size, 50-54cm
- Weight: 520g (manufacturer weight and on our kitchen scale)
- Price: $140
- ATSM Downhill Approved: NO
- Standards and Certifications: EN 1078, CPSC
- Crash Replacement Program: Yes, lifetime crash replacement policy.
Mongoose Title Full Face Helmet – Great Lightweight Budget Pick!
This is a helmet that really surprised me. It seems to be built decent, it was very lightweight and downhill rated, all for under $100!
Author Note: Unfortunately this helmet didn’t make it past the try-on phase. My youngest has a 48.5cm head and tried on the Youth Small which fits 47-48 cm heads. Unfortunately it was not a secure fit and didn’t pass the “yes/no” test.
What We Like:
- Super lightweight!
- Downhill rated
What We Don’t Like:
- We found it runs a little big
- No MIPS
Helmet Specs:
- Helmet Construction: ABS shell and EPS foam liner
- Sizes Available: YS (47-48cm), YM (49-50), YL (50-51) and Adult Sizes through 62cm.
- Weight: YS – 695g (on our kitchen scale)
- Price: $99
- Downhill Approved: YES
- Standards and Certifications: CPSC and ASTM Standard F1952
- Crash Replacement Program: No.
Other Kids Full Face Helmets
Strider Full Face
I have come across the Strider Full Face a few times, but it isn’t one that really impressed me, especially for the price tag. The chin bar can provide benefit in a crash, but the overall coverage of the helmet isn’t that great. We have tried this helmet on a few times in stores, but its not one I would spend my money on.
What We Like:
- Chin bar for protection
- Lightweight
What We Don’t Like:
- No MIPS
- Feels cheap compared to others
Helmet Specs:
- Helmet Construction: ABS shell and EPS foam liner
- Sizes Available: Small (48–52cm), Medium (52–58cm)
- Weight: (no size specified) 450g (manufacturer weight)
- Price: $89
- Downhill Approved: No
- Standards and Certifications: CPSC
- Crash Replacement Program: No.
Kids Full Face Bike Helmets for Heads Bigger than 51cm
These helmets are also popular with younger riders, but we didn’t include in the list above since they start at a larger size.
Bell Super 3R Mips
A lightweight full face with a removeable chin bar. Sizing starts at 52cm. Size M weights 784g. Not DH certified.
Giro Switchblade Mips
The Switchblade has a removeable chin bar and starts at 51cm. This helmet is downhill certified and a medium weights 975g.
Smith Mainline Mips
The mainline is a popular helmet with adults at starts at 51cm. Downhill rated and a medium weights just 770g.
The Best Kids Full Face Helmet Is the One They Will Wear
Finding the perfect full face helmet for little ones is no easy task. The smaller the head and biker, the harder it gets. Hoping that more companies will start coming out with lightweight full face helmets for toddler and little kids.
I struggle with the idea of putting a 800-900g helmet on my little 40lb 4yo because I worry I am putting her more at risk for a neck injury with the added weight. More 400-500g full face helmets down to 46cm-ish would be awesome to see on the market. Big kids and adults are not the only ones who should have solid face protection.
Have a helmet that should be on this list? Send us a message or drop it in the comments below!
Related Articles:
- Bike Safety for Kids
- Bike Gloves for Kids
- Best Bike Helmets for Kids in 2022
- How to Get Your Child to Wear a Bike Helmet
Choosing a Kids Full Face Helmet
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