Why Can't I Find an
Extra Small Helmet?
Summary: Manufacturers fear that if parents can buy extra small helmets they will take babies on bikes and in trailers
who are too young. If you are looking for a helmet for a small adult head, see this
page.
We get many inquires from parents with babies aged about 6 weeks to 14 months and from parents with children who have
very small heads due to Microcephaly or another medical condition such as dwarfism, asking us where to find an extra
small helmet.
If your child is less than one year old, please read our scare page about taking your child
along in a carrier or trailer. You should be aware of the risks.
Tiny helmets are difficult to find. Most companies make their small size helmets for 47 cm (18.5 inches) heads. We
don't list those here, but here are some even smaller ones:
-
IXS Urban Iki. Iki means tiny in Japanese and the helmet is made
by Japanese helmet maker OGK. They have a toddler helmet that is the smallest on the European market at 42cm (16.5
inches).
- Bobike GO: matches the Bobike GO child seat and fits down to 44cm (17.3 inches) heads. European model.
- Abus Smiley, Giro Scamp MIPS, L.A.S. Roadspeed Baby, Lazer BOB, Lazer P'Nut and the Limar 123 Jr. Kid: 45 cm
(17.7 inch) heads. Some are available in Europe but not in a US model.
- Angeles Toddler Trike and Best Price Toys' Toddler Trike Helmet: 45.7 cm (18 inches).
- Specialized Small Fry a classic round, smooth toddler and child size helmet, but inmolded and has some
vents. Ring fit, bug net in front vents. Has some reflective patches. The smallest size is the toddler model advertised
to fit 44-52 cm (17.25-20.5"). Retail is $40 to $45. There is a larger Small Fry, so you have to get the toddler
size.
- Casco Mini Pro: 44cm. It is a child helmet resembling a very colorful equestrian model, with very small
vents. It has no bump-out in the rear, to make it friendly for high-backed child seats where thick helmets push the
child's head forward and down. Has an anti-pinch strap. Retails for 50 Euros and is available only in the European
market.
- KED Meggy is also for 44cm heads. It has good-sized vents and both CEN and CPSC certification "only for
American market." LED flasher. There is a Meggy Licenz version with licensed cartoon character graphics, and the Meggy
Sport has a visor.
You can check
our latest page on helmets for the current season and do a search on xxs or
extra small to find out if there is any more recent info on new models.
Why Not Smaller?
There are no tiny helmets on the market because injury prevention people and manufacturers alike
believe that infants of less than one year should not be put on a bicycle as passengers. Manufacturers are also anxious
to avoid product liability suits involving very young infants, which they regard as unwinable whatever the merits of the
case. They will even forgo the revenue from selling a smaller helmet for that reason. If they make an extra small model
for a child who is older but still has a very small head, the helmet will inevitably be used for much younger
infants.
What if I need a smaller one?
The only alternative we are aware of to finding a very small helmet is using
thicker fitting pads in a normal infant-toddler size. The thicker fitting pads do not detract from the protection of the
helmet, as long as they hold it in place well. That is their function, since the harder crushable foam in the helmet is
actually the part that handles the impact energy. You may have to experiment with firmer pads to make sure that the
thickness does not make the helmet unstable on your child's head. Then carefully adjust the foam to touch all the way
around your child's head but not be too tight, and adjust the straps for maximum stability to hold the helmet level on
the child's head while still not too tight for comfort.
If you are not sure about the helmet, take it with your child to your pediatrician and ask.