Best Youth Dirt Bike Helmets
I got my first dirt bike when I was 13. The 1999 Honda XR 100 served me well until I grew too tall and moved up to the KDX 200cc a few years later. Prior to the Honda, I raced offroad go-karts. Let’s just say 4 wheels wasn’t my thing. But what I’m trying to say is that I’ve been through a lot of different bikes and an equal amount of helmets. With that said, this is my buyers guide for the best youth dirt bike helmets for every budget.
How do you choose a kids dirt bike helmet?
You might be pleased to hear that many of the “budget” dirt bike helmets I’ve reviewed also offer youth sizes. Perfect if you’re child is just starting out or you’re not up to spend more than a couple hundred bucks on a helmet. You might also be pleased to hear that the premium adult dirt bike helmets also offer youth sizes. In this buyers guide I’ve included a few cheap youth dirt bike helmets, as well as a few of the very best, and a couple in between.
When choosing a dirt bike helmet for a child there’s a few important criteria to look at. These criteria are essentially the same as the criteria I look at when choosing a helmet for myself. There are a huge range of dirt bike helmets under $200 that fit right in the sweet spot of my budget. The budget helmets included in that review tick pretty much all of my criteria but lack some of the more advanced and “nice to have” features you would find in the top of the range adult dirt bike helmets.
Reviews Of The Best Youth Dirt Bike Helmets
The following 5 products are what I consider to be among the best dirt bike helmets for kids. Every helmet meets either ECE 22.05 and/or D.O.T and/or Snell helmet safety ratings.
Answer Youth AR1 Helmet
Answer makes fantastic helmets and other motocross gear too. Check out our complete list of youth dirt bike gear. The Youth AR1 helmet is the perfect budget helmet for any beginner rider or cash conscious parent.
The new 2021 AR1 helmet has been re-engineered with a new shell and a fascinatingly aggressive look. One of the fantastic features of this helmet is the impressive 14 well placed vents. 10 in the front and 4 exhaust vents. These help increase airflow and keep the rider cool.
As I mentioned in the “what to look for” section, this helmet is made from a polycarbonate and ABS injection mold and also has the removable inner liners.
Standard with any of the 3 shell sizes is a dual density EPS liner which serves as an impact absorbing protection mechanism. It’s awesome to see a helmet in this price range that is fully compliant with both DOT and ECE regulations.
Safety Ratings
ECE22.05
D.O.T
Sizing
| Helmet Size | Head Size (inches) | Head Size (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| Small: | 18 1/2″ – 19 1/8″ | 47 – 48.6 |
| Medium: | 19 1/4″ – 19 7/8″ | 48.9 – 50.5 |
| Large: | 20″ – 20 1/2″ | 50.8 – 52.1 |
Fox Racing V1 Youth Helmet
Value For Money:★★★★★
Protection:★★★★☆
Features:★★★★☆
Comfort:★★★★★
Style:★★★★☆
When it comes to fox helmets I might be a little biased. But I honestly believe that to be for good reason. I’ve ridden with a number of different helmets and so far the Fox V1 helmet feels the best, looks the best, and I’m just super stoked to ride in this helmet.
It’s a budget friendly youth option coming in at under $200 and has all the protection and features I look for in a dirt bike helmet.
The V1 helmet has 9 intake vents and four exhaust vents which give plenty of airflow. The inner lining and cheek pads are removable and easily washable.
The helmet is fitted with the MIPS system which I discuss in the “what to look for section” of this buyers guide, as well as the Magnetic Visor Release System (MVRS) The shell is constructed using an injection molded polycarbonate and ABS.
I really do like the Fox V1 helmet and I think this is a great option for any junior dirt bike rider.
Safety Ratings
ECE22.05
D.O.T
Sizing
| Helmet Size | Head Size (inches) | Head Size (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| Small: | 18 1/2″ – 19 1/8″ | 47 – 48.6 |
| Medium: | 19 1/4″ – 19 7/8″ | 48.9 – 50.5 |
| Large: | 20″ – 20 1/2″ | 50.8 – 52.1 |
Fly Racing - Youth Toxin Helmet
Value For Money:★★★★☆
Protection:★★★★☆
Features:★★★★☆
Comfort:★★★☆☆
Style:★★★☆☆
What’s unique about Fly Racing helmets is what they call “TFV” which stands for True Functional Ventilation. TFV helps to push air through the multiple air vents on the front of the helmet when the rider is moving. The air is then pushed through the special cutout channels within the helmet, to the exhaust vents.
Like the other helmets in this review, the Fly Racing Toxin helmet has built in MIPS, a solid outer shell construction, removable and washable inner cheek pads.
Fly Racing is a brand known around the world for high quality gear and the Youth Toxin helmet is no different.
Safety Ratings
ECE 22.05
D.O.T
Sizing
| Helmet Size | Head Size (inches) | Head Size (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| Small: | 18.25 – 19″ | 47 – 48 |
| Medium: | 19 – 19.75″ | 49 – 50 |
| Large: | 20.5 – 21.25″ | 51 – 52 |
Bell - Youth Moto 9 Helmet
Value For Money:★★★★☆
Protection:★★★★★
Features:★★★★★
Comfort:★★★★★
Style:★★★★☆
Let me start off by saying that Bell makes some of the most feature rich helmets on the market. In addition, The Bell Moto 9 helmet is one of the few helmets in this review that meet the DOT, ECE22.05 AND Snell safety ratings. That makes the Moto 9 one of the best kids dirt bike helmets for protection. If you’re looking to maximize the safety of your child, this is one of your best options.
The helmet is built with a lightweight shell which includes the MIPS technology, breakaway screws and even a breakaway camera mount – something you don’t see on many other helmets.
The moto 9 helmet shares many of the same features as it’s father helmet. Removable and washable padding which is sweat absorbing. It has 10 air vents and 3 additional brow vents to help with overheating and ventilation.
All in all, the Moto 9 helmet is one of the finest helmets you can get for your kid. Keeping in mind that this helmet is right in the middle of the price range, you’re getting a whole lot of helmet for your well spent cash.
Safety Ratings
ECE 22.05
D.O.T
Snell
Sizing
| Helmet Size | Head Size (inches) | Head Size (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| Small: | 19 1/2″ – 20″ | 50 – 51 |
| Medium: | 20″ – 20 1/2″ | 51 – 52 |
| Large: | 20 1/2″ – 21″ | 52 – 53 |
6D Helmets - Youth ATR-2Y Helmet
Value For Money:★★★★☆
Protection:★★★★★
Features:★★★★★
Comfort:★★★★☆
Style:★★★★☆
No helmet review would be complete without mentioning something at the very top of the food chain. The 6D ATR2 is the alpha predator of the dirt bike helmet and cycling world.
With the amount of research, development and features packed into this helmet, one might call it an overkill. Although, when you consider the sole purpose of a helmet is to save a life, some might call it a necessity.
Safety and protection of young brains is the main goal of the ATR2 helmet. It features softer foam liners and a 6D’s patented ODS (Omni-Directional Suspension) technology.
Ventilation in this helmet is also top notch with 15 air vents which work in perfect harmony with the Air Gap Ventilation System that 6D has developed. It’s the only helmet in this review that is available in 4 youth sizes.
Safety Ratings
DOT
ASTM
Sizing
| Helmet Size | Head Size (inches) | Head Size (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| Small: | 19.3 – 19.7 | 49 – 50 |
| Medium: | 19.7 – 20.1 | 50 – 51 |
| Large: | 20.1 – 20.5 | 51 – 52 |
| X-Large | 20.5 – 20.9 | 52 – 53 |
For even more details, check out this video.
What to look for in a Kids dirt bike & motocross helmet
These are the key criteria I look for in every dirt bike helmet that I recommended, whether that be for kids, adults, beginners, and even for the racing snakes.
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Protection
Protection is always at the top of my priority list when it comes to dirt bikes. Accidents can and do happen. Trust me. I’ve had my fair share of broken bones. But, I’ve never suffered any head injury thanks to the helmet I ride with (which is nothing fancy). I ride with the Fox Racing V1 helmet. A helmet just over a hundred bucks that gives all the protection you could need.
The helmet MUST be safety certified with either (preferably both) ECE 22.05 and/or DOT and/or Snell safety certifications. Here is an in depth article with information on helmet safety ratings and certifications. Value For Money
Look for a helmet fitted with MIPS. MIPS stands for Multi-directional Impact Protection System. This is a type of technology that has been proven to help reduce the rotational forces an impact would apply to one’s head.
Another one of the features found in most decent-quality helmets is a quick-release visor which will actually snap off in the event of a crash. This serves to further limit rotational and impact forces.
Designed with MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) technology, which is scientifically proven to reduce rotational forces on impact, and a visor designed to release in the event of a crash, the V1 gives you that peace of mind, each and every ride.
The construction of the helmet’s outer shell is also important. A shell made through Injection-molded polycarbonate and ABS is the way to go.
Features
When it comes to the features of the helmet, there are some features that you might want in particular, and others you may feel your kid can live without.
In my opinion, one of the main features to look out for is the ventilation. Poor ventilation can ruin all the fun. The Fox V1 helmet that I ride with nine intake and four exhaust vents for optimum airflow. The youth version has the exact same.
For me, a must have feature in any helmet is a moisture wicking, removable/washable foam padding on the inside. No one wants a sweaty smelly helmet. Most helmets on the market are fitted with removable padding.
You might also want to consider the closure mechanism. The majority of dirt bike helmets make use of a padded chin strap with a D-ring closure system. There are also helmets that use a quick release clip in style buckle which makes getting the helmet on and off much easier. This one is up to your personal preference.
Style
Style is a tough one. Kids can be quite picky. I still remember my dad buying me my first helmet when I was 8 years old. I was driving a go kart not a dirt bike back then, but a dirt bike helmet was perfect for the job.
My dad came home after work the first time with a glossy black helmet kitted out with teal and pink racing stripes down the side.
I didn’t like it.
He took it back and swapped it for another one.
Dad came home with a shiny white helmet styled with red and green flares.
I didn’t like it either.
Dad took it back and swapped it for another one.
This went on a couple times until I eventually wanted the first black helmet back. What can I say… Kids, right?
Shape
The shape of the helmet is important. Shape does not refer to the outer shape of the helmet’s shell. Instead, shape refers to the interior shape of the helmet and the shape of the child’s head.
Helmets come in various shapes. Most common are round shaped, narrow shaped and in between them is an intermediate oval shape.
Make sure you’re looking at a brand of helmet that offers the right shape for the child’s head. I’ll mention this detail in each of the product reviews found in this buyers guide.
Weight
Helmets often differ by weight. While it might not seem like a considerable amount. However, if you and your kid plan on putting in hours of riding time, the weight of a helmet on your head adds up very quickly and can lead to fatigue.
Generally you want to look at helmets that offer all the benefits and protection while weighing as little as possible.
Vision
When you decide on a youth helmet and make the purchase, make sure your child tries the helmet on. Ask him/her about the fit, the weight and the vision. If the kid can’t see out of the helmet, he might just be better off without wearing it. (That’s a joke. “All the gear, All the time)
What is the best youth motocross helmet?
Almost all of the best dirt bike helmet brands also produce helmets in youth sizes. These brands include Fox Racing, Fly Racing, 6D Helmets, LS2 Arai, O’Neal, Leatt, HJC, Thor, and Bell.
You won’t go wrong buying your kid a helmet from any of these brands.
How much does a Youth Dirt Bike Helmet Cost?
As with all things, the price range varies. The price also depends on the features you’re looking for. Prices for a decent kids motocross helmet can range from $50 with the right deal, all the way up to $600 and beyond.
Best Youth dirt bike helmets under $100
Fly Racing – Youth Kinetic Helmet
Best Youth dirt bike helmets under $200
Fly Racing – Youth Toxin Helmet
Troy Lee Designs – Youth GP Helmet
Best Youth dirt bike helmets under $300
Troy Lee Designs – Youth SE4 Helmet
Best Youth Dirt Bike Helmets $400-$600
In this category, you’re really getting all the bells and whistles. Some of the premium examples include:
Fly Racing – Youth Formula Helmet
6D Helmets – Youth ATR-2Y Helmet
Last Checkpoint
As you can see, there are a ton of different dirt bike helmets for kids. I personally think that any child would be very well off wearing either of the helmets that I’ve suggested. Now if I had to choose one, I’d have to go with the Fox Racing – Youth V1 Helmet. It might be my biased love for my own V1 helmet, but you just can’t go wrong with this one – especially for the price.
If you have any thoughts or questions, I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
Until next time!
-Wesley
