Best Riding Helmets for Kids: Features, Fit and Trade-offs

For most children, a Troxel helmet such as the Spirit or Sport 2.0 is the practical choice because it is ASTM/SEI certified at a budget price and adjusts as the child grows, while the Tipperary Sportage suits families who want a lighter, mid-range helmet and Samshield or Charles Owen suit older competitive riders where the budget allows. Whatever the brand, the most important features are current ASTM/SEI certification, a correct fit and replacing the helmet after any significant impact.

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Kids’ Riding Helmets at a Glance

This table summarises what reviewers report, not a safety ranking. Always read the maker’s own page for current certification and sizing.

Certification Comes First

In the United States, riding helmets are normally certified to ASTM F1163 and carry the SEI (Safety Equipment Institute) mark. Reviewers across the sources consistently say that you should look for both. Helmets sold for cycling or skating are designed and tested differently and are not a substitute for an equestrian helmet. If you ride outside the US, look for the standard that applies in your region, such as the European EN 1384 or the UK PAS 015 and VG1 marks, and follow your national riding body’s rules for lessons and competitions.

One review site says the safest helmets combine ASTM/SEI certification with rotational protection such as MIPS. Rotational systems are marketed to reduce certain forces from angled impacts, but no helmet can prevent every injury. If you have questions about what a particular system does, read the maker’s technical information and speak with your child’s doctor or riding instructor.

Fit Matters More Than Brand

• Measure first. Use a soft tape around the head about one finger width above the eyebrows and over the widest part at the back. Match the number to the maker’s chart.
• Shape. Some brands run narrow and oval, others round. Reviewers say the Troxel Legacy suits oval heads better, for example, and that the Tipperary Sportage can sit low on the forehead for some children.
• Snug, not tight. The helmet should sit level, about a finger width above the eyebrows, with no rocking when the child shakes their head. The harness should be snug under the chin with room for one finger.
• Hair. Fit the helmet over the hairstyle the child will ride in, such as a low bun or braids.
• Try several. Even in the same size, models vary. An in-person fitting at a tack shop is helpful.

A helmet that is “too big to grow into” is a safety risk. Look instead for models with a sizing dial, such as the DialFit system on the Troxel Spirit, which lets the helmet adjust within a size range as a child grows.

Features Worth Having

Adjustable Sizing Dial

A dial at the back cinches the inner harness. It helps with fine adjustment and with short-term growth, and it makes it easier for younger riders to get a consistent fit.

Removable, Washable Liner

Children sweat, and liners get dirty. Both the Troxel Spirit and the Sport 2.0 are reported to have removable, washable liners, which helps with hygiene and odour.

Ventilation

More vents help in warm climates. The Sport 2.0 is described as having seven oversized vents. In winter, some riders prefer fewer vents or a helmet cover.

Extended Coverage

The Tipperary Sportage is described as having drop-back coverage, meaning the rear of the helmet extends lower. Some parents prefer this for young riders.

Visibility

A reflective strip, as on the Sportage, can be useful for hacking near roads. Never rely on it alone; wear high-visibility clothing where needed.

Budget Tiers

Since a certified budget helmet meets the same baseline standard, a premium helmet is mainly about fit, weight, appearance and, for some brands, test results beyond the standard. For a growing child who rides once or twice a week, a mid-range or budget helmet is usually sufficient.

When to Replace a Helmet

Riding helmets are designed to absorb one significant impact. Reviewers repeat two points: replace the helmet immediately after a fall in which it hits the ground or another object, and replace it about every five years even without an incident. Some makers set their own limits, so follow the manual. Signs such as cracks, a loose harness, damaged foam or a liner that no longer holds are reasons to retire a helmet. Do not buy a second-hand riding helmet, since you cannot know its history.

If your child hits their head in a fall, replace the helmet, and seek medical advice even if they seem fine.

Pick X If You Want…

Alternatives to Consider

• Ovation and other schooling helmets. Often sold in the budget-to-mid-range tier for lessons.
• Helmets with MIPS or similar rotational systems. Some brands offer them in kids’ sizes; read the maker’s information.
• Toddler helmets. Very young riders need smaller shell sizes. Horse Rookie covers toddler models in a separate guide.
• Safety vests. Many riders add a body protector for cross-country and jumping. They protect the torso rather than the head and are fitted separately.

How to Decide

Start with certification: only consider helmets that carry the ASTM/SEI mark or the standard that applies where you ride. Measure your child’s head and try on two or three models. Choose the one that sits level, does not rock, and feels comfortable to wear for a full lesson. Then decide on the tier that suits your budget and how fast your child is growing. If your instructor or barn has requirements, follow them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What certification should a kids’ riding helmet have?

In the US, look for ASTM F1163 with the SEI mark. Outside the US, look for the standard your region uses. Cycling helmets are not a substitute because they are designed for different impacts.

How should a riding helmet fit a child?

It should sit level about a finger width above the eyebrows, not rock when the child shakes their head, and have a snug but comfortable chin harness. Try it with the child’s usual hairstyle. If it feels loose or tight, try another size or model.

When should I replace my child’s helmet?

Replace it immediately after any significant impact, and generally about every five years, or sooner if the maker says so. Replace it also if it is cracked or the harness is damaged. If your child has a fall, seek medical advice.

Is a more expensive helmet safer?

Not necessarily. A certified budget helmet meets the same baseline standard. Premium helmets such as Samshield and Charles Owen are reported by one reviewer to perform well in independent testing, but fit and condition matter as much as price.

Can my child buy a bigger helmet to grow into?

That is not advisable, because a loose helmet may not protect properly. Choose a helmet that fits now, and consider a model with a sizing dial so you can make small adjustments as your child grows.

Can I use a second-hand helmet?

It is not advised. You cannot know whether it has been dropped or had an impact, and foam degrades with age. Buy new and keep the receipt and the date of purchase.