youth helmet

scott_l

Member
time to purchase my seven year old a new helmet and looking for some real life feedback

so far I have been purchasing him a what I call a open helmet (covers the top, side and back of his head) and then has a clear full front shield that tilts up and down. I have been picking these up from fleet farm for $40ish and then the clear shield for another $10. I have been going this route as they are light, I don't care if they bounce on the drive way and I can replace the shield when they get scratched up. He has also been using the same helmet in the summer to go four wheeling. Probably using the helmet 8-10 weekends out of the year. also these don't break the bank when we need to purchase the next size ever other year or so.

was looking on line at nicer full face helmets in the $110-$125 but having a hard time finding a dealer/location that has these in stock so I can take my son there to try them on for proper size (we are in the Twin Cites).

then there is the motor cross style, lots of these options available but I have no knowledge of them at all (I only have a cheap one that I use 4 times a year in the summer).

what's everyone's thoughts on the two different styles for youth. I would like to purchase one that can be used in the summer and winter if possible. My concern with the motor cross style with goggles is the warm issue (is there a issue), don't wan to leave the house and have him tell me three hours later that his cheeks or nose is cold when we are 40 miles from home.

thanks
 

lak7

Member
I buy my son (now 12) a separate helmet for dirt bike and snowmobile - HJC brand seem to fit him well.
It does hurt the pocket book a little when you are buying a new helmet every 18 months or so, but what are you going to do.
 

renegade

Active member
Depends on your sled. If you have any type of a windshield those motorcross helmets are fine cause the kids are not tall enough to get the wind. My kids have used them and didn't get cold. But if your windshield is shorter than your dash might want a full face. I found the full face fogs real easy with kids.
 

MNBlizzard

New member
I have one of each for my kids. Not one store is better than the other IMO. The open face motocross style is cold but the goggles do not fog up. The full face is much warmer but fogs up pretty bad if it's cold or worn for more than 30 minutes.

Really either helmet has its pros/cons, but it's more about helping the little ones learn to adapt. My 7yr old in the full face needs to learn to crack the lens and push her hot air down. My 4yr old in the motocross needs a neck warmer or baclava to keep her face warmer.
 

moose822

Member
I bought my son a Castle X helmet this year. It was a little above your price range (I think it was 180) but it is a hybrid helmet. Looks like a MotoX but has a face shield. So far so good. Previously we had a Bell full face helmet that we purchased at a local dealer. It fogged up but he was able to use it for both winter and summer use. If you would like me to get you the information on either helmet let me know.
 

scott_l

Member
I bought my son a Castle X helmet this year. It was a little above your price range (I think it was 180) but it is a hybrid helmet. Looks like a MotoX but has a face shield. So far so good. Previously we had a Bell full face helmet that we purchased at a local dealer. It fogged up but he was able to use it for both winter and summer use. If you would like me to get you the information on either helmet let me know.

If you have time please send info on the Castle X one..... I am not against spending more now that he is a bit older, just before I hated to see the helmet bounce in the garage or on side of trail (hence did not want to spend more $$$$. Thanks for the input.
 

moose822

Member
If you have time please send info on the Castle X one..... I am not against spending more now that he is a bit older, just before I hated to see the helmet bounce in the garage or on side of trail (hence did not want to spend more $$$$. Thanks for the input.

The Castle X helmet is called a "Mode Dual-Sport SV Team" it is on sale for $180 for the standard model and $240 for the electric shield model. We have been really happy with it so far and my son this it is the coolest helmet ever.
 

mrbb

Well-known member
I don't have kids, but if it was me I'd be buying close out helmets, there always WAY way cheaper, and then selling as kids outgrow things and or donate them to local MX tracks and such places

same can be said on MX forums, I have seen many times over the yrs folks selling kids there or just willing to give away, from helmets to MX boots and such
kids can go thru things pretty fast, as long as helmet is safety rated for things, I woul;dn;t worry about buying the more costly helmets , unless kids are older and really going FAST
looking cool doesn't count that much to me over safety and most HIGH end helmets are more about current styles than any better safety, next comes weight, but most kids can handle the weight of a helmet and if NOT, maybe shouldn;t be riding a motorized item? NOT bashing here just saying!
need muscles to control a sled/bike/atv, head should be able to hold up a helmet by this point too! or maybe wait another yr!

JUST watch if buying close out helmets some time they cannot be returned!, so be sure of fit(trying on model helmet else where in person first) as NOT all helmets sizes are the same!
 
Top