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The Ultimate Kids Snowboarding Helmet Guide

kids-snowboarding-helmetAfter the boots, buying a kids snowboarding helmet is probably the next most important piece of gear.

When you plan to go out and ride with your children, you’ll need to get them a helmet that will keep them protected while also keeping their head warm and comfortable.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to find the right fit and size, different construction materials, compatibility with goggles and adjustable features. It’s everything you need to know before you buy kids snowboarding helmet.

The Ultimate Kids Snowboarding Helmet Guide

How to Find the Right Fit & Sizing for Your Child
Recommended Kids Snowboarding Helmets
Construction Materials
Features and Tech
Compatibility with Goggles
FAQ
When to Replace a Snowboarding Helmet?
I Have a Helmet from a Different Sport, Can I Use it for Snowboarding?
Where to Buy Kids Snowboarding Helmet

How to Find the Right Fit & Sizing for Your Child

Most brands carry helmets in small, medium, large and sometimes extra large. Other times they’ll group their sizes as small/medium (S/M) and large/extra-large (L/XL). The sizes correlate to ranges in the circumference of the head measured in centimeters (cm).

measure-kids-head-tape-measureSince the sizing is not universal across snowboarding helmet brands, you’ll need to measure your child’s head. If you have a tape measure, that’s great. You can take your child’s measurements and figure out what will best suit them. Otherwise, you may need to go into a store and get your child to try on a few different helmets to see what works best.

Most helmets have a dial system that allow you to micro-adjust the helmet for a precise fit. I talk about this more in the Features and Tech section, but start by finding the right helmet size, whether that’s small, medium or large etc. Then, fine-tune the fitting so you get a snug but not tight fit.

Here’s how you’ll know if you’ve got the right fit for your child:

  • If the helmet can rock back and forth on your child’s head, the fit is too loose. You can try tightening the micro-adjust dial or tightening the chin strap.
  • If you can rotate the helmet from side-to-side on your child’s head, try a smaller helmet size or micro-adjust the dial system.
  • Push up on the front and back edges of your child’s helmet. If they move, tighten the straps.

You can use this kids snowboarding helmet sizing chart as a reference if you can’t get to a store and need to buy online.

Kids Snowboarding Helmet Size Head Size (CM) Head Size (Inches)
X-Small 48.5 to 52 CM 19” to 29.5”
Small 52 to 55.5 CM 20.5” to 21.75”
Medium 55.5 to 59 CM 21.65” to 23”
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kids-snowboarding-helmet-anon-rime-3If you’re looking for an entry-level kids snowboarding helmet, check out the Anon Rime 3. Coming in at $120CAD, it’s got everything you need in a helmet without the bells and whistles. It’s got a hardshell construction and a classic ‘skate’ aesthetic. Your child will fit right in on the mountain.

It’s also multi-season certified which means you can wear if for mountain, bike, skate, etc. because the liner and ear pads are removable. The helmets vents are meant to draw air in the front and pull moisture out the back to keep your child’s head dry and comfortable. However, this skate inspired style of helmet has minimal venting.

On the plus side, it’s easy for kids to put on and take off the helmet themselves. There are magnets in the buckle, so even while wearing gloves you can get the strap on and off with one hand.

kids-snowboarding-helmet-anon-windham-wavecelIf you’re looking to step it up and go beyond the basics for your child, you’ll want to check out the kids’ Anon Windham WaveCel snowboarding helmet. At $250CAD you’re getting a ton of high-end features in a kids snowboarding helmet.

First, it’s got a BOA dial on the back for micro-adjusting the fit. If you’ve ever used BOA before you know how good it is. Its patented dial system is the best for getting the best fit. Even better than that, it’s got WaveCel technology. It’s the latest innovation in helmet construction and protection. It’s designed to flex, crumple, and glide to reduce rotational and direct impact forces. I talk about WaveCel in more detail below.

But all you need to know that this is the best head protection technology you can get on the market for snowboarding helmets. Your child could grow out of the helmet in a season or two, so you’ll have to decide if the price is worth it to you.

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Kids Snowboarding Helmet Construction Materials

Most buyers don’t know this but there are many different types of helmet construction and materials. You wouldn’t realize how much some helmets differ from others just by looking at their cosmetic appearance. First we’ll discuss the different kinds of kids snowboarding helmet construction types, then the materials used.

In-Mold Construction

in mold snowboard helmet construction

When it comes to this type of construction, there is a hard plastic shell that is used for the outer layers. The plastic is molded onto an Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) foam liner, which is a fancy way of saying styrene foam. It’s used to absorb the impact of a fall and traditionally offers less rebound. For the most part, these are the lightest helmets available.

Hard Shell ABS Construction

hard shell snowboard helmet construction

When it comes to these kids snowboarding helmets, the Hard Shell ABS variety makes use of a much thicker Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) plastic for the outer shell. It’s manufactured and then glued onto another hard foam layer (interior) and the liner – it’s the most optimal option for those who want both security and affordability.

Soft Shell Construction

soft shell snowboard construction

Soft shell helmets aren’t designed to take the impact that the other two options can, but they still provide an exceptional amount of protection. Most of the time, you’ll find that soft shell helmets have two different kinds of foam inside (to promote a more secure helmet in general); the harder foam will be on the outer layers for protection and the softer foam will be close to your head for comfort.

WaveCel Construction

Check out the video on WaveCel. Basically, it’s like a 3D-printed network of hundreds of interconnected shock absorbers connecting your head and the outer shell of the helmet.

It’s designed to distribute the impact energy through its network of cells. It absorbs impact forces like the crumple zone of a car and then helps divert rotational forces by flexing and gliding.

As of right now this is the latest innovation in helmet design and protection.

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Kids Snowboarding Helmet Features & Tech

Fitting Systems

Most helmets will feature adjustable fitting systems. It’s usually a dial that you can turn to tighten and loosen the fit. There are some other fitting systems out there, including:

Adjustable Wheel System – This fitting system allows you to adjust the tightness of your child’s snowboarding helmet with a dial that is not BOA. It’s a finely tuned option that will allow you to “pin-point” that perfect level of snug!

In-Form Fitting System – Somewhat similar to the adjustable wheel system, this one makes use of a ratchet for tightening purposes. You can adjust the size of your child’s helmet both horizontally and vertically.

Pad Systems – This is when you have pads inside that can be removed to change the level of tightness. Its less common these days but some brands might use these approach for fitting.

Venting Systems

Fixed Venting – Almost all helmets have some form of open, passive venting built into their design that allows for excess heat and moisture to escape. These systems are generally simple and cannot be personally adjusted. Each company sets up their venting systems in different ways to reflect what they see as necessary.

Adjustable Venting – Helmets with adjustable venting systems give you the ability to open or close the holes to fit your needs depending on the weather conditions. A variety of adjustable systems are used by companies including plugs, sliding mechanisms, and one-push buttons. Choosing a specific system is mostly up to your personal preference.

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Kids Snowboarding Helmet Compatibility with Goggles

Sometimes you could run into compatibility issues, where the goggles don’t fit optimally with the helmet. Most of the time you won’t have any issues, generally kids snowboarding goggles will interface with a kids snowboarding helmet perfectly fine.

snowboard helmet goggle gapUltimately, you’re trying to avoid the “goggle gap”. That’s when there’s space between where the top of your child’s goggles should align with the brim of the helmet.

By avoiding the goggle gap, you’ll ensure that your child’s forehead doesn’t get cold in the wind and that their goggle have good air circulation so they don’t fog. You also don’t want your kid to look dorky with an ill-fitted gap.

Since I recommended Anon snowboarding helmets above, here’s a Anon snowboarding helmet and goggle compatibility chart. You’ll know which Anon kids snowboarding goggles will match with corresponding kids Anon snowboarding helmet size.

Kids Snowboarding Helmet Size
S/M
L/XL
Round Fit Circumference (cm) 51-53 53-55
Global Fit Circumference (cm) 48-51 52-55
Recommended Goggle Pairing
Relapse Jr Goggle ✔️ ✔️
Tracker 2.0 Goggle ✔️ ✔️
Nesa Goggle ✔️
Helix 2.0 Goggle ✔️ ✔️
WM1 Goggle ✔️
WM3 Goggle ✔️
M5S Goggle ✔️
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FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

When to Replace a Snowboarding Helmet?

Kids snowboard helmets are designed for a singe-impact. Meaning that once you take one strong impact to the head, the helmet will have lived out its usefulness and will need to be replaced.

You’ll be able to tell if  an impact was hard enough to now render the helmet useless. If you remove any padding or cushions in the helmet to expose the hard foam, you’ll notice it has cracks or pieces that have crumbled. Regardless of how small the cracks, the helmet has lost its structural integrity and its time for a new one.

I Have a Helmet from a Different Sport, Can I Use it for Snowboarding?

If you have a helmet from skateboarding, BMX bike riding, snowmobiling, inline skating etc. you should not use it for snowboarding. You should use a snowboard helmet for snowboarding.

This is because helmets must be certified by a regulatory body to approve they’re safe to use. Certification is based on the helmet’s design to protect the user from certain types of falls or impacts that would occur during the specific sport. Therefore, helmet safety approvals are slightly different for each sport.

Shouldn’t I purchase a helmet that’s a bit bigger, that way they can grow into it?

No, that’s the complete opposite of what you should do. Purchasing a snowboard helmet that is the perfect fit will offer optimal protection for your child, and when they’ve grown too large for it, you’ll have to purchase a new one. 

Do I need to Buy a Kids Snowboarding Helmet with Vents?

Children are going to sweat just like adults, but odds are they won’t need a uniquely designed ventilation system as you would find in some helmets. As long as there is some sort of ventilation and fresh air can get in to dry things up, you’re good to go!

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Where to Buy Kids Snowboarding Helmet

If possible, try on helmets at your local snowboard shop. I like to go to Corbett’s in Oakville, Ontario. Tip: bring your goggles with you to the store and try them on with the helmet.

Sometimes its not possible to go to a store so you can always buy your kids snowboarding helmet online. Buying a helmet online is ideal if you’re confident about your child’s head measurements.

You’ll have to be more cautious though, as you’ll want to make sure your helmet is compatible with your goggles. When buying online double-check that there is a return policy incase the helmet doesn’t fit quite right. You’ll want to be able to return it or exchange it for something else.

Now that you know how to find the right fit, as well as what construction types are available, you should be able to navigate the market accordingly. 

 

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