sledhead17
New member
At what age can kids start wearing snowmobile helmets? Do they make youth helmets that could fit a 4 year old? I'm just looking forward to taking my daughter out for a ride.
Kids Helmets
- Thread starter sledhead17
- Start date
cat_man_mike
New member
We just bought my 3 year old a helmet for his birthday and it fits him perfectly. (Arctic cat sm/m) I would say the bigger issue is when you find a helmet to fit her, make sure it is light enough for her neck to support the wieght. My uncle had to get a snocross type helmet for my cousin because the full face helmets where too heavy for him.
sledhead17
New member
Thanks Mike great point
Does he get cold quick in the snowcross helmet?
Does he get cold quick in the snowcross helmet?
I bought my son a open face when he was 2 1/2 because if the weight. Was worried about him being cold, but when on a sled he sat so low he never had to worry about wind behind the windsheild. I upgraded to a full face HJC this year and he wears it fine and he is 4 1/2 now.
indy_500
Well-known member
i started to think the same thing, when i was little i could barely see over the handlebars
3_old_jags
New member
confusion_900
Member
3 old jags
Did He fall asleep about n hour into it ! and then U have to hold there head LOL
Did He fall asleep about n hour into it ! and then U have to hold there head LOL
3_old_jags
New member
He did some sleeping off and on and I did some head holding. It great to have the kids out riding.
Nothing like them falling asleep and hitting the kill switch, happened to me 2 years ago on the way to Miners Castle, twice on the straight away before turning off at the Castle. You can also find open face helmets and put the shields on them. That's what we did and they don't seem to get cold. Nothing better than riding with the kids and rest of our family.
Depends on your kid
I think the solution depends entirely on your kid. They develop at such different rates at that age that you can't make a general statement. However, the good news is that you should easily be able to find something that will work.
If your daughter is of average or better size or strength then she will probably be able to handle a youth full faced helmet fine. My younger son is about average size / strength and started with an HJC full face at that age with no problems. We have a nephew that struggled with the same helmet at the same age. My suggestion is have your daughter try on a full size helmet. Have her quickly move her head around and see if she has any trouble controlling the weight. If not, you're probably fine for the trail. If not, one of the open face helmets will work. (The HJC helmets have worked out great for my kids. They adjust well and have held up to the rough and tumble my boys put them through.)
Once you've got the helmet sorted out the next biggest thing for success is to make sure she's warm and comfortable. Make sure she's got really good mittens and boots. Kids have a lot less body mass and can get cold much faster. They tend to do ok when they are out playing in the snow because they generate their own heat but just sitting on the sled and riding in the wind chill can cool them off quickly. They also don't tend to notice or say anything until they are really cold. Nothing ruins a ride with your kid faster then them having aching cold hands or feet when you're a 20 minute ride from the nearest place to warm up.
My suggestion is to get really warm mittens with the heat packet pockets in them, and then have a warm pair of gloves as a backup. Adjust based on the outside temps.
Please don't let this deter you from getting out there. Both my sons love sledding. My 9 year old rides his Yammi Bravo on our property or doubles up with us on the trail rides. My 12 year old just passed the safety course last weekend and is looking forward to riding his new (to us) '96 Indy Lite project sled in a couple of weeks. They've been riding since they were 4 and 7 respectively. Love to see kids getting into our sport!
I think the solution depends entirely on your kid. They develop at such different rates at that age that you can't make a general statement. However, the good news is that you should easily be able to find something that will work.
If your daughter is of average or better size or strength then she will probably be able to handle a youth full faced helmet fine. My younger son is about average size / strength and started with an HJC full face at that age with no problems. We have a nephew that struggled with the same helmet at the same age. My suggestion is have your daughter try on a full size helmet. Have her quickly move her head around and see if she has any trouble controlling the weight. If not, you're probably fine for the trail. If not, one of the open face helmets will work. (The HJC helmets have worked out great for my kids. They adjust well and have held up to the rough and tumble my boys put them through.)
Once you've got the helmet sorted out the next biggest thing for success is to make sure she's warm and comfortable. Make sure she's got really good mittens and boots. Kids have a lot less body mass and can get cold much faster. They tend to do ok when they are out playing in the snow because they generate their own heat but just sitting on the sled and riding in the wind chill can cool them off quickly. They also don't tend to notice or say anything until they are really cold. Nothing ruins a ride with your kid faster then them having aching cold hands or feet when you're a 20 minute ride from the nearest place to warm up.
My suggestion is to get really warm mittens with the heat packet pockets in them, and then have a warm pair of gloves as a backup. Adjust based on the outside temps.
Please don't let this deter you from getting out there. Both my sons love sledding. My 9 year old rides his Yammi Bravo on our property or doubles up with us on the trail rides. My 12 year old just passed the safety course last weekend and is looking forward to riding his new (to us) '96 Indy Lite project sled in a couple of weeks. They've been riding since they were 4 and 7 respectively. Love to see kids getting into our sport!
sledhead17
New member
Thanks for the feedback
Great stuff. I think we'll just have to head to the store and see what my daughter is comfortable in. She's still a little small so I'm guessing we'll have to start with a snowcross helmet but we'll see what happens.
And I couldn't agree more about warm everything. You don't want them to have a bad experience or else they won't want to go out the next time you want to hit the trails. Short runs and warm clothes are a must.
I appreciate all the help. Hopefully we'll be riding with the kids the day after Christmas.
Great stuff. I think we'll just have to head to the store and see what my daughter is comfortable in. She's still a little small so I'm guessing we'll have to start with a snowcross helmet but we'll see what happens.
And I couldn't agree more about warm everything. You don't want them to have a bad experience or else they won't want to go out the next time you want to hit the trails. Short runs and warm clothes are a must.
I appreciate all the help. Hopefully we'll be riding with the kids the day after Christmas.
