The Bern Nino 2.0 updates one of our favorite kids bike helmets and makes it even better. The Nino 2.0 includes many of the fabulous features of the older Nino but adds additional features like MIPS technology, a lighter weight, and more ventilation.
The Bern Nino 2.0 is shaped more like a skate helmet than a cycling helmet (and yes, you can use it for skating too). This hip, urban vibe is reinforced thanks to the removable visor.
But what we really like about the Bern Nino 2.0, like the Bern Bandito, is the option to use it with a winter liner. The winter liner is thick and covers the ears and more of the head.
But in addition to warm, the winter liner also has breathable mesh where our heads tend to get too hot. It’s a thoughtful design that offers safety and comfort.
The Nino 2.0 has been designed to be the one bike helmet your kiddo needs to cover all seasons. Biking to the pool in the summer, biking to school in the winter, maybe even some frozen scootering at the skatepark!
Read on to learn more….
Review In A Nutshell
Pros:
- Multiseason and multisport (bike and skate)
- More ventilation than most skate style helmets
- Both MIPS and non-MIPS versions
- A great choice for fat biking or winter commuting
Cons:
- Elastic fastening system does not provide as good of a fit as a dial
Price & Where To Buy:
- $69.99 List (MIPS version)
- Check price at BernHelmets.com
- $58.53 at Amazon.com* (Last updated: 2023-03-25 at 21:12 – More Info
- Check price at REI.com*
The Best Time to Use the Nino 2.0? Winter!
Our family uses e-bikes for nearly all of our local transportation needs. We have biked through the last two winters, taking our son to school and running errands.
It’s great, but it’s also very cold at times. Having a helmet that is warm is key to enjoying those frosty months of the year.
Like our son’s Bern Bandito (which we used all of last winter), the Nino 2.0 offers a winter liner which helps with cold weather bike commuting. It has bigger vents to keep the top of the head ventilated while covering the ears and lower parts of the head.
We’re also looking forward to using this helmet for fat biking. I often wear a thin beanie with my bike helmet when I ride in the winter. I am grateful that my son doesn’t have to endure that discomfort. Having a quality liner that lets your head sweat without overheating is a key to a successful fat bike ride.
The winter liner covers the ears and neck some. It also has a dial adjustment for a precise fit, which we really appreciate.
The Warm Weather Liner is FUNctional
As an avid cyclist, I have grown accustomed to having visors on my helmets. They help keep the sun out of your eyes and protect your face from flying debris. The Nino 2.0 has a summer liner with a built-in visor. It’s not just fun, but functional as well.
Moreover, the summer setup is the primary intended use for the helmet. With larger vent holes and less coverage on the back of the head, the Nino 2.0 is more of a bike helmet than anything else. It has the look of a skate helmet, but more ventilation than your typical “bucket” style skate helmet.
The ventilation on the Bern Nino 2.0 does not flow like a more traditional cycling helmet like the Giro Tremor, for instance, but it does have decent air flow for hot days on the bike with 13 vent holes.
Adjustability
The only complaint we had about the Bern Nino 2.0 is that the summer liner does not have a fit dial. (The winter liner does).
Instead, the summer liner has a small elastic strap between the two sides that pulls the mount snug. It doesn’t work as well as an adjustment dial and our son, who has tested MANY helmets for us, complained that the helmet did not feel snug enough.
The winter liner does have a fit dial adjustment that allows one to find their optimum position with the helmet. I counted 28 clicks of adjustability. The Bandito helmet also has great adjustability and I hope this technology can carry over to a future design for the summer liner of the Nino 2.0.
We struggled a little bit adjusting the chin strap, but that is typical with my son wiggling around. We did appreciate the adjustment piece right below the ear which was easy to slide into the correct place. (Not all are this easy).
The chin strap is your standard fair with a traditional buckle and rubber sleeve to store the excess strap. There are other designs out there which are a little fancier (magnetic buckles, larger strap sleeves, etc), but this one does its job.
Feeling Attached
Bern helmets have two little mount holes on the back that allows one to mount a few different attachments.
Bern makes a special light that can be attached there or also a goggle clip. The version of the Bandito we have has the clip and I transferred it over to the Nino 2.0 just to make sure it worked.
The Bern Nino 2.0 is not a ski helmet, but the goggle clip could still come in handy for fat biking or other conditions where little eyes need to be protected from wind and snow.
A Plethora Of Options
If you are new to the world of bikes and helmets it can become a little overwhelming. Like many other helmets, the Bern Nino 2.0 comes in both MIPS and non-MIPS versions. The added protection from MIPS is worth it, but there is always an added expense.
Between the MIPS options and the summer and winter liners, there is a lot of variety between models of the helmet to choose from. Deciding what your priorities are before purchasing will help you to make the right decision. I personally would buy the helmet with both liners for an all-season helmet.
The non-MIPS version has all of the necessary safety certifications, but MIPS does add an extra layer of protection during rotational impacts. Erring on the side of caution, my family always buys the MIPS versions, but if you don’t want the added expense, then go for the non-MIPS version.
Compared To The Bern Bandito And The Bern Nino
When considering the Bern Nino 2.0, you may also want to take a look at the Bern Bandito as well as the original Bern Nino.
The Bern Bandito (left) and the Bern Nino (right)
Compared to the original Bern Nino (which is still offered as well), the Bern Nino 2.0 is the better option, in our opinion. It is lighter (305 vs 323 grams), has more ventilation, and comes with MIPS technology. The new colors and designs are pretty fun too.
The other helmet we have mentioned here is the Bern Bandito*. How does it compare to the Nino 2.0? The biggest difference is that the Bern Bandito meets the safety standard for snow sports, where the Nino does not. If you want to use the helmet for skiing, go with the Bandito. Otherwise, the Nino 2.0 should be fine.
Are there other differences? The Nino 2.0 has a flexible visor and the Bandito has a built-in visor. The Nino also has the elastic fit system vs. the Bandito’s adjustment dial. (We prefer the latter).
The Nino 2.0 is a little better for summer biking as it’s lighter and has more ventilation.
Still, both helmets are very similar in look and function, and both are available in both MIPS and non-MIPS versions.
Sizing
The Bern Nino 2.0 comes in sizes slightly larger than the original Nino. The helmets will fit most kids in elementary school.
The Nino 2.0 comes in two sizes: Small and Medium. The small helmet fits a circumference between 52 and 55.5 cm, and the medium fits between 55.5 and 59 cm.
I made the mistake of getting my son the medium helmet because he has been wearing one of my adult helmets. Measure your child’s head! I was wrong and had to order the small helmet. Don’t guess on this. If you need help measuring their head, read our article on fitting a kid’s bike helmet.
If your kiddo’s head is smaller than 52 cm, the original Bern Nino should fit better.
Bottom-Line: A Safe, Fun, Functional Helmet
We have a lot of helmets. We are constantly testing new equipment and safety gear is at the top of our list.
My son has been using this helmet for scootering and biking in warm weather. And now, as it gets colder, he’s transitioning to using it for biking to school on chilly mornings.
The Bern Nino 2.0 is a great multi-season, multi-sport helmet. It offers great coverage of the head, has 13 vent holes to keep heat to a minimum, and has the dual liner design for comfort in all weather conditions.
Don’t hesitate to put the Bern Nino 2.0 on your short list of bike helmets, particularly if you bike through the winter.