CHILDREN'S CROSS-COUNTRY HELMETS Enduro motocross and quad helmet for kids

Children's motocross helmets

Is there a difference between an adult motocross helmet and a child's motocross helmet?

The special feature of a motocross helmet is that the chin strap is forward, to improve protection in the event of a fall. While motocross speed is lower than on the road, the rider, whether adult or child, is exposed to more impacts.

The purpose of a motocross helmet is to protect against mud, dust and mechanical shocks in the event of a fall or rock projection, of course, while leaving the field of vision open and providing good ventilation for this sweaty sport, to keep the rider comfortable, however young he or she may be.

Compared with adult motocross helmetschildren's helmets are lighter and less bulky. On the other hand, safety standards are the same, and the materials used are identical. The polycarbonate cap is common to all helmets. The fastening system is also the same.

The only difference concerns the interior, which can be removed and replaced as your child grows. This allows you to change only the interior foams at first, and save a little money, before having to change the helmet itself.

As for trim and decorations, if they're already varied for adults, they're even more so for children's helmets.

Are there any additional safety standards for children's cross-country helmets compared to adult helmets?

Safety standards are exactly the same for an adult enduro or cross-country motorcycle helmet as for a child's helmet. The difference concerns the conditions of access to competition in terms of cubic capacity according to age, but the protective equipment is the same.

We remind you that a motocross helmet is an individual piece of protective equipment designed to protect the rider during the sporting practice of riding a two-wheeled or four-wheeled motorized motorcycle in motocross or enduro events (official or not).

What are the criteria for purchasing a child's motocross helmet?

You must buy a helmet designed for motocross. Bike or skate helmets are not suitable: they are not designed for impacts as violent as on a motorcycle, generally only cover the top of the skull, and do not always have a reliable fastening system.

Check that the helmet you are buying meets European protection standards, which is ECE 22/05. This safety standard is the official criterion for acceptance of children's motocross helmets in official cross-country and enduro competitions organized by the French Motocross Federation.

As we see below, size is of prime importance at the time of purchase, but it's important to check regularly that it still fits. If your child reports discomfort and marks start to appear on his forehead or temples when he takes it off, it's time for a new helmet.

Also, look out for children's motocross helmets with removable foams, to make it easier to wash the inside of the helmet and keep your child hygienically clean all season long.
What's more, as your child grows up, you'll be able to change the foam inside the helmet to ensure his or her safety. By doing so, your child's motocross helmet will stay in place and there will be no gaps between the helmet's inner shell and your child's skull.

We also advise you to choose a motocross helmet for children that is compatible with cross goggles and motorcycle cross goggles to protect children

How do I choose the right size cross helmet for my child?

Choosing the right size of motocross helmet You can have the best motocross helmet in the world, but if it's the wrong size, you're exposing yourself to great risks in the event of an accident. To determine the right size, you need to measure the child's head circumference: take a tape measure (a flexible dressmaker's tape measure) and go around the skull, passing above the eyebrows and ears and passing through the most prominent point on the back of the head.

If your measurement falls between two sizes, anticipate the settling of the inner foams and opt for the smaller size. We strongly advise against choosing the larger size, as this would enable you to keep your child's cross-country helmet longer, but would expose your child to greater risk of damage to the skull in the event of an unfortunate fall.
Motocross is a high-risk sport, and falls are frequent. It doesn't just happen to other people! Above all, protect your child!

There are motocross helmets specially designed for children that are evolutionary. This means that the internal lining is removable and interchangeable. This allows you to follow your child's growth without having to change the outer shell of your motocross helmet.

Size is not the only criterion: weight must also be taken into account when choosing a cross-country or enduro helmet. Because of the weakness of the young cervical spine, beyond the notion of comfort, it's the child's safety that's at stake: in the event of an impact, a helmet that's too heavy would exert too much pressure on the vertebrae. The weight of a child's helmet should not exceed 1/25^e of the child's weight.

That's why we recommend helmets made from injection-molded polycarbonate, such as:

- The Freegun motocross helmets for children
- Shot Racing Shot Racing motocross helmets for kids

In any case, it's essential to try on the motocross helmet your child will be using. It must not move when the child shakes his head, and it must not slip over his eyes. When you hold the chin strap and apply slight pressure, the helmet must not change axis. Finally, you must not be able to slip a finger between the forehead and the helmet. Otherwise, it's too big, and your child runs the risk of falling off the bike and suffering a mechanical shock.

If it's too small, the child will let you know about the uncomfortable pressure, and you'll see a mark on his forehead or temples.

Beware of children who wear glasses: the helmet must be large enough and well-designed to let the temples pass through without getting stuck in the face, which quickly becomes irritating and painful.

What are the homologation criteria?

According to the "Technical and Safety Rules" published on the Fédération Française de Motocyclisme website, in the Motocross Discipline and Associated Specialties category, the equipment requirements for motocross helmets are as follows:

During activities, participants must wear a helmet approved to international standards recognized by the FIM. For European standards :

Europe ECE 22-05 'P

The helmet must be correctly fastened, properly adjusted and in good condition. It must be fitted with a chinstrap fastening system with a "Double D" type closing system.

Children's cross-country helmets made in more than one piece are permitted, provided that, in an emergency, they can be easily and quickly removed from the participant's head simply by loosening or cutting the chinstrap.

Participants may use motocross goggles and protective visors, which must be made of unbreakable material to prevent splashing into the eyes of the child or rider.
Helmet visors must not be an integral part of the helmet; they must be additional parts!

A few clarifications are provided by the motocross commission in the general regulations for the 2018 French motocross championships:

Helmets must be shock-free and replacement is recommended if the date of manufacture is more than 5 years old. The Technical Stewards may, if necessary, judge that the helmet no longer has the required characteristics and refuse it.

Helmets with an aerodynamic appendage (spoiler) are forbidden, except those originally approved with this accessory.

Long hair must be tied back in the helmet.

NATIONAL STANDARDS ECE 22-05

The approval number must always begin with 05. Beneath the approval number is the helmet's serial number, which is sewn onto the chinstrap or inner lining of the helmet. Surrounded by a circle, the letter E followed by a number indicates the country of origin of the approval, E2 for France.

Below this is the homologation number, the first two digits of which indicate the regulation used (05 for 22-05). Introduced with regulation 22-05, a letter then indicates the level of protection offered by the chinstrap.

The J refers to jets or half-jets, without jaw protection. P ensures a minimum level of jaw protection. On the other hand, NP (non-integral jaw protection) indicates that the chin guard has not passed the specified test. The last series of numbers indicates the production serial number.

How do I know if a child's cross-country helmet is approved for competition use?

The homologation of a child's cross helmet for competition is no different from that of an adult motocross helmetIt must therefore comply with all the rules set out in the previous paragraph.

How do I care for my child's cross-country helmet after use?

Careful cleaning of the helmet not only guarantees comfort and hygiene, but also longevity, as cleaning the cheek foams restores them to their original shape. Even if children's helmets need to be changed frequently as they grow, it's important to keep them well-maintained, inside and out.

For the outside, remember that you shouldn't use products containing alcohol, so don't use window cleaners or solvents. Of course, never use abrasive sponges!

For a thorough cleaning, unscrew the visor (always starting with the central screw, then the side ones, so as not to force its bow). Using a soft sponge, remove most of the mud and other dirt, then finish off with a microfiber cloth soaked in warm, soapy water or a specialized cleaning product. Dry with a soft cloth and refit the visor.

For the interior, disassemble the cheek foams and cap. This allows you to clean the inside of the cap with soapy water, disinfecting and deodorizing it at the same time. (If your foams cannot be removed, you'll need to buy sprays designed for this purpose).

Foams can be washed by hand or machine at 30° on a delicate program, without using fabric softeners. Leave to dry in the open air, but avoid putting them in direct sunlight, as they may react badly to strong UV rays.

For openings, use cotton buds soaked in water to get rid of any impurities embedded in the least accessible nooks and crannies.

Once everything is dry, reassemble the foams and your child is ready for a new outing.