Bike Helmet

[cara1]

Please help me find a new bike helmet for DS. I love the Fisher Price one for ages 1+, but it seems too small now (he's 4, but small). I measured his head: 50 cm/ 19.5 inches. At TRU, there was a Schwinn age 3-5 that seemed to fit, but was pink. Also, hasn't there been a recall of Schwinn helmets? What should I buy, and where should I buy it? TIA.

[ellies mom]

The Bell Boomerang was rated really well. It is just adorable in the girl version but here is the boy one.
http://a1072.g.akamai.net/f/1072/2062/1d/gallery.rei.com/media/638659.jpg

http://www.rei.com/product/47604305.htm

[kellyotn]

My husband is the biker in the family, so I made him research helmets last year. He picked a Bell Boomerang for our oldest.

Shortly thereafter, the youngest needed one too. We gave him the Boomerang and got a Bell Amigo for the oldest. They are very similar - shape, size, little sunshade. But the Amigo has a REALLY nifty knob to adjust the size.

Bike shops generally have nicer helmets than Walmart etc. They are likely made by Bell but are a cheaper more basic version made for Walmart. (Not that basic is bad, but things like easy adjustments, etc make the others worth it for us.) There is also likely someone at the shop to help fit a child to ensure the right size and adjustment.

(edited for typo)

[cara1]

They also make a "shell" style helmet. It's shaped rounder, more like a motorcycle helmet. Is this okay, too? Some of the patterns are cuter.

[cara1]

Also the Boomerang fits up to 50 cm, he's 50 cm now, so shouldn't I get something a bit bigger?

[gordo]

We got a Bell Boomerang at REI. Consumer reports rated bike helmets this year. Here are their ratings. http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/travel/bike-helmets-606/ratings/latest-ratings/index.htm

[kellyotn]

Hmmmm, I missed that he was four. The Amigo will still fit my DD when she's four (in a few months) but I don't know that I'd buy her an Amigo at this point. I'd probably buy her something bigger to last another couple seasons.

Honestly, I'd go to a bike shop or REI, they'll have a larger selection.

I know for a certain age range they have a big chunk that goes down the back farther than for older kids. (To protect the base of their spine, I believe.) But, I'm not sure what the age range is.

I'm thinking you might be into "big kid" helmets at his age/size.

[table4three]

We have this one:
http://www.livingincomfort.com/gime2inbiher.html
It fits to 20.5 inches.

http://b2.lilypie.com/mkn7m5.png

[shburks]

We have a Giro for our 20 months old also. http://www.giro.com/main.html (Look under cycling and then under helmets.) Their children's helmets fit a wide range because they have a nifty little turn thing in the back that allows you to get a snug fit while adjusting as their head grows. Actually, our whole family has Giro helmets! DS has the Rodeo. If you click that spot where you can download the helmet specs, it tells you, for example, that the Rodeo fits "SIZES: UC (50-55 cm / 19.75-21.75�)".

HTH

Susan

[dr mom]

Another vote for Bell Boomerang from REI. Easy to adjust, and comes with two sets of foam inserts so the fit can be adjusted as your child grows.

I didn't like this year's patterns (girly pink and blue with trucks for boys) but last year's model had a cute bee-themed unisex design.

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/34561.jpg http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/34562.jpg

Most important, DS *loves* his helment, as you can see! :)

(It's a little loose in this picture...when fitted correctly, should cover the forehead to just above the eyebrows, not sit this far back on the head)