My 5 1/2 year old boy is in need of a new helmet. For the last year he's been in a GT helmet (bought at Academy for about $17) that fit him perfectly, and provided great coverage both at the front and back. I've visted pretty much all the bike and sports stores in our area (REI, Bike Barn, Cycle Spectrum, Sun & Ski etc), but it seems impossible to find a helmet that provides good coverage in his size. Most of the helmets in the youth size, or whatever size is a step up from toddler type helmets, are too fancy/aero/fashionable and does not extend far enough down at the back of the head for my liking. They all seem to be kid versions of adult helmets.

Which helmet do you use for your 5-6 year old, and what are your thoughts on the current crop of helmets for kids?

The following picture shows the current helmet both of my kids are using:

I put a Specialized Air Wave on my 6 year old's head after he outgrew his Cratoni.

I second the Specialized Air Wave Mega. It got top ratings at consumerreports.org for kid's helmets. They retail for about $30. A bargain if you ask me. Here's my 5 year old in his, and he loves it:








Scott

The current Specialized kids helmets are called Air Force, according to the Specialized web site. How different are they from the Air Wave? Specialized were among the helmets we checked out today, but the ones they had at our local LBS were still way to open in the back.

I found a BMX helmet that was a good fit on a seven year old. I found it at a shop that carried a lot of BMX stuff, and had three or four sizes. Skateboard helmets seem quite similar, and come in a range of sizes.

The funny thing was, I had trouble getting this kid to wear a helmet. But, the BMX helmet has a logo that looks like a skull or something and he decided the helmet was "cool". He is happy to wear it, and I am happy with its broad coverage, from his eyebrows back almost to his shirt collar.

Perhaps all bike helmets cover "all of the skull", but this BMX helmet covered more of "all of the skull" than the helmet it replaced.

The current Specialized kids helmets are called Air Force, according to the Specialized web site. How different are they from the Air Wave? Specialized were among the helmets we checked out today, but the ones they had at our local LBS were still way to open in the back.
Just what do you mean by "open?" All bike helmets cover the entire skull. Many good quality helmets have vents in the back to keep the head cool. All helmets sold in the US meet the same CPSC standerds. Unless you want an open face motorcycle type helmet, and those block perphial vision, I can't help you.