Hey everyone. My songot a new bike for his birthday, and I want to buy him a helmet. Does anyone know how you properly size for a 10 year old? What should I be looking for when buying a helmet for him? What stores would be good to go to? I don't see any bicyle stores so I will just be going to the local Wal Mart where I believe the bike was bought. So what should I look for, and how do I know it fits him properly?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

i'd just bring his head along to make sure the helmet fits properly, but it's best to bring the body along still attached to the head if you don't want to cause a panic :whistling:

1. Force son to come along with you

2. In store, force helmets on son's head until you find one that fits

3. Continue searching until you find one that has a design he hates on it and fits. Buy this one

4. Optional: cover son in bubble wrap (make sure to stick a straw in his mouth so he can breath).

Good idea about bringing the body.

The helmet should protect the forehead, rear, sides, and top of the head. The chin strap should not dangle, or be too tight. The helmet should fit comfortably, not too tight or too loose. The straps should fit properly over the ears. The lip of the helmet at teh forehead should not obstruct the child's view. The helmet should be made of quality materials, and it's a good idea to get one rated for high impacts. Most helmets come with insertable velcro padding for added comfort. You'll need to take your son with you, looks like the two of you will get some quality time out of this.

Make him move his head. No seriously, try to see whether it moves and wiggles when he moves his head, because there's nothing more silly than a bicycle helmet sliding over his head while riding. Also, according to research simple helmet designs protect best and not flashy, more expensive ones.

I remember when we didn't have to wear helmets just to ride a bicycle. Of course, we did a lot of :banghead: and and looked like :wacko: . Then my dad looked like :flame: and I had to :bolt: . So, I would follow Mama's advice. And Ditre's.

Well, to be honest you don't really need one. I learned to ride a bicycle when I was three years old, but didn't wear a helmet until I went bicycle racing with my father for the first time when I was eleven or twelve and these days I only wear a helmet when I go bicycle racing with more than three or four other people. I fell a couple of times of course, but got seriously injured only once, a cut below my knee

I remember riding once when I was sunburned and dumped my bicycle. That hurt like all kinds of hell as I was only wearing shorts. I always got hurt worse on my skateboard. Didn't wear a helmet on that either.

Don't worry folks, it's a Dutch thing.

My son could ride a bike with out training wheels before he was out of diapers..
scary as hell :cold: But I survived.. :blush:


@Davor
Be prepared to get him a new one every 18 months or so if he's only ten, since his noggin is gonna be growing soon

Yeah in my day no protective wear was ever done. Not for bike riding or skate boarding or anything. But I rather be prepared better safe than sorry.

Just like Hockey or construction sites or any where else that matters. It hardly ever happens anyone gets hit in the head but it does happen so why take the chance?

Thanks Mamagato I will do as you say.

@ Krigaren (damn that is a long name) I know what you mean. I never thought of him moving his head so will do that as well.

@ Old Andy I never thought of getting him a new one every 18 months. Yeah he is growing very fast.

Thanks all for the help, I really appreciate it and when we go today, I will use your advice. Thank you again.

Emphasis on the not too loose bit. It wont be pretty if you fall and it "malfunctions" halfway to the ground.

I have to admit people are being more careful these days than they used to in the past. Though traffic has also become more dangerous, people are more often in a hurry, so a bit of protection for your little one isn't that redundant. If and when something happens, you'll be glad to know those few bucks prevented further injury.
Also, as far as my user name is concerned, "Krigar" will do in conversation, I wanted to pick that, but it seemed someone got the same idea.

5. To ensure the helmet that you bought truly fits. Look for metal pole in store. Bring son to pole. Grab son by ankles and swing into pole to see if helmet properly protects his head. If it does, find one that doesn't. Rinse/repeat.

Just try to be careful with that chinstrap or whatever that stuff is tight and could be very irritating and itchy.

If the chinstrap isn't irritating and itchy it isn't fitting properly, sometimes I think those things are designed to be uncomfortable.

I don't doubt it.

Just seems they find a bit of rope and tie it around and maybe some nicer models have a car seat like buckle that was designed by people who don't bother to understand the form of a small child's chin.