It is unusual to find a kids helmet that’s thoughtful. Most seem to be minified, cheaped-down, dumbed-down versions of an adult helmet.
You might find one with a visor, or a magnetic buckle, and it’s almost shocking — “wow, they actually included something NICE in this helmet.” Still, most kids helmets are ill-fitting, cheaply-designed, overly-cutesy lids that will certainly end up in the landfill in the not too distant future.
That’s why we love the Woom kids’ bike helmet. Here’s a helmet that is not only safe, it’s cute without being ridiculous, fits well, and has plenty of ventilation. Every last detail has been considered including the mesh covers on the front vent holes (to keep out bees and other flying intruders) and the rubber visor that acts as a bumper.
The helmet is especially attractive for parents already purchasing a Woom bike — the helmet matches the paint colors of the Woom bikes. But even if your child already has another bicycle, the Woom helmet is still worth considering.
Review in a Nutshell
Pros:
- Reflective decals
- Magnetic buckle
- Rubber visor
- Dial fit system
- Plenty of ventilation — and vent covers
Cons:
- Lacks MIPS technology
Price & Where to Buy:
- $69 at Woom.com*
Safety
Before we get into all the fabulous extras, let’s focus first on what’s most important in a helmet: safety. All bicycle helmets sold in the U.S. have the CPSC certification, which means they meet all basic safety requirements as determined by the U.S. government. The Woom helmet has this certification, so you can rest easy that it should do its job.
Of course, a helmet can only live up to this safety standard if it is worn and fitted correctly. If the helmet is slipping from side to side, or front to back, there is an issue. This is a problem we’ve run into with our son (and see constantly on other kids).
Complicating this problem is the fact that once a kid has a helmet on their head, it is nearly impossible to wrangle them down and spend the necessary time making adjustments to straps. Fortunately, the Woom helmet fits well (and stays in place) with very little fuss. We’ll go into this in more detail in a moment, but for now, just know that this is an important safety box that the Woom helmet manages to check.
The helmet also has more rear of the head coverage than most traditional designs. This is a good thing–the more of the skull is covered, the more of the skull that is protected. Kids, in particular, tend to have non-traditional crash patterns (“watch this ma!”), which means that the more of the head you can protect, the better.
The Woom helmet offers superior head coverage compared to other helmets
Another safety feature that we appreciate are the reflective “Woom” decals on the helmet. We’ve tested the helmet in low-light conditions and it does a surprisingly good job of reflecting light.
In terms of safety, the only thing that the Woom helmet is missing is MIPS technology. (If you’re not sure what that is, read this article on MIPS in kids helmets).
The jury is still out on how effective MIPS actually is, and many people believe MIPS is nothing more than a marketing ploy, so this may have been a calculated decision by Woom to leave it out of their design. Nonetheless, if MIPS will help you sleep better at night, then you may want to look for a different helmet.
Fit and Adjustment
As mentioned earlier, the Woom helmet fits well. The initial adjustment and fitting of the helmet is easy and the straps stay tight even with extended use. (Kids constantly pull and yank on their helmets which tends to loosen straps).
The side straps that come down around the ears are fixed in place and require no adjustment. They are also virtually twist-proof. The chin strap does require some initial adjustment but is easy to do and the excess strap tucks cleanly into a pouch under the chin. Finally, the helmet cinches down via a rear fit-dial that is easy enough to use that my son (accustomed to testing helmets) tightened it on his own.
Dummy-proof side straps, chin strap, and large rear fit dial
Magnetic Buckle
We were first introduced to the magnetic buckle when testing the Melon helmets and have been converts ever since. Magnetic buckles are easy for kids to buckle and unbuckle on their own, and help avoid the dreaded chin pinch. As far as I’m concerned, magnetic buckles should be the standard on all kids bike helmets.
Ventilation
The Woom helmet has excellent ventilation. There are 24 (!!) vents and 4 air channels to promote airflow. If you were familiar with the older version of the Woom helmet, the air channels on the newer version are smaller, but still effective. My son has been able to ride hard, even in hot Arizona weather, without getting overly hot or sweaty.
The ventilation system proves that the helmet’s creators have thought of every detail. The front vent holes have a mesh-type cover that keeps bees or other bugs from flying in. Yes, that really happens, and no it is not a good thing.
24 Vent Holes and 4 Airflow Channels. Front vents are covered in mesh.
Visor
I personally really like visors on kids helmets. They provide a little bit of shade for your little one’s face and help protect their developing eyes from the sun.
The Woom visor not only offers that protection, but thanks to its rubber-like construction, also offers a rubber bumper, if you will. In the event that your child crashes on their face, the visor should help offer at least some buffer between it and the pavement.
Rubber visor provides both sun protection and crash protection
Color and Design
The Woom helmets are designed to accessorize their equally fabulous kids’ bike. The helmets match (to perfection) the color scheme of each of their bikes — red, green, yellow, purple, etc. We appreciate the bright primary colors that are attractive and fun without being overly cutesy.
The unusual shape of the helmet is attractive and certainly turns heads. It doesn’t look like every other helmet out there. (Of course, this could be a drawback too if your child wants a helmet that matches dad’s…..)
Sizing
The helmet will comes in three sizes: XS, S, and M. As of June 2022, you can order the M size. The other two sizes will be available later this year.
For this review, my 9-year-old tested the size M helmet. His head circumference is 21.5 inches.
For tips on measuring your child’s head, read this article, and then compare their head circumference to the sizes below.
| KIDS’ Helmet | XS | S | M |
| US | 18.2-19.6 in | 19.7-20.8 in | 20.9-22 in |
| EU | 46-50 cm | 50-53 cm | 53-56 cm |
Video Review
Please note, this is a video review of the older version of the Woom helmet. A few things have changed, but our overall impression remains the same.
Bottom-Line
If you are already buying a Woom bike for your child (or grandchild), buying a Woom helmet to go with is a no-brainer. The Woom helmet is adorable and lives up to the thoughtful design you would expect from a company like Woom.
Even if your kiddo already has a different bike, I would still recommend the Woom helmet. It stands head-and-shoulders above most kids bike helmets on the market thanks to its excellent fit and comfort.
when will the size small helmets be available?
Hi Patricia,
When I spoke with Dave at Woom a few weeks ago, it sounded like they were coming at VERY soon. I would expect to see them available for ordering in the next couple weeks.
Does this helmet have MIPS?
It does not.
This might have changed since October 2018, but I checked today (May 2019) with their customer service and the helmets do have MIPS.
Correct. They never have. That was one of our only cons about the helmet.
What is a better choice, woom or the little nutty?
Both are good helmets, but I prefer the Woom helmet for the ventilation. My son’s head gets really sweaty in the Little Nutty, but not so in the Woom.
I like the spin dial adjustment on the Woom helmet versus others I have reviewed. They make it easier for a child to adjust and easier to tighten while the helmet is on the child’s head. Does the increased head coverage of the helmet make it uncomfortable for kids? Seems like it would be warmer?