Child helmets ? gogles?

[CaptCaper]

I have a grandson that is 3 years old and wants to ride. I have no idea where to start for helmets,etc. so there isn't any fogging or have a cold face.
Do they make youth helmets with electric heat shields or should I use an open face with youth ski goggles and Balcalva?

 

[coyotekid]

My boys (5 & 7), both have full face helmets. One is an HJC modular, and the other is a regular full face. The only time that fogging is a problem is when they are standing around, all bundled up, with the shield closed. They both have fairly big heads, so an adult xs fits them well with a balaclava. Generally, their shields are so covered with fingerprints, snow, and whatever else they can smudge on the helmet, that I don't know how they can see through them anyway. The biggest issue for them is really the weight. Big heads, small necks, bumpy trails make them sick of wearing the helmets after a while. Also, keep in mind that whatever you get will probably only last for a season or two, and then you'll need to get a bigger one. There are plenty of places to get youth or adult XS helmets, any dealer should have some, as well as places like Shade Tree and Dennis Kirk.

 

[Irv]

I have a grandson that is 3 years old and wants to ride. I have no idea where to start for helmets,etc. so there isn't any fogging or have a cold face.
Do they make youth helmets with electric heat shields or should I use an open face with youth ski goggles and Balcalva?

Definitely full face imo but some folks have great luck with the moto-cross style and goggles. (just make sure every square inch of their face is covered and will remain that way with them fiddling around)

With either helmet you purchase, "make sure" you also purchase a neck brace!
Very important imo for the young ones.
I purchased one for my son when he was that age after hearing some horror stories about young ones with whiplash and another with a broken neck!

 

[bottlerocket]

HJC makes them for little heads. My son had the modular which I highly recommand for kids and they also have heated sheilds. GMAX is another good option with the modular and that is what he has now. I just dont know how small they go as he is 15 know.

 

[coyotekid]

I would also recommend the modular. It makes it much easier to adjust things and get the helmet on and off.

With either helmet you purchase, "make sure" you also purchase a neck brace!
Very important imo for the young ones.
I purchased one for my son when he was that age after hearing some horror stories about young ones with whiplash and another with a broken neck!

Irv, could you provide any info on these braces? I honestly never knew that such a thing existed. My youngest son has been known to fall asleep on the sled, turning his head into a pinball between my helmet and the handlebars. Any extra neck support would be a great idea.

 

[ShootToThrill]

Just a thought here but at a large snowmobile show such as Novi MI I've noticed you can get really good deals on gear. Would be perfect to take the kids to the show and get them gear and save a few bucks, perfect because they grow so fast. Unfortunately most shows are in the fall only, and you may not have one close enough to get the full savings, because of the drive. But it would be a fun trip anyway!

 

[CaptCaper]

Fall shows are a great idea..used to get dive gear for the kids back when.
Neckbrace? Dennis Kirk?

 

[coyotekid]

http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/common/Frontpage.jsp

 

[Phazernut]

Keep an eye on his neck with a full helmet at that age. My sone used to wear a Snowboard helmet and goggles till he was 5.

 

[Irv]

I would also recommend the modular. It makes it much easier to adjust things and get the helmet on and off.

With either helmet you purchase, "make sure" you also purchase a neck brace!
Very important imo for the young ones.
I purchased one for my son when he was that age after hearing some horror stories about young ones with whiplash and another with a broken neck!

Irv, could you provide any info on these braces? I honestly never knew that such a thing existed. My youngest son has been known to fall asleep on the sled, turning his head into a pinball between my helmet and the handlebars. Any extra neck support would be a great idea.

The one I purchased is the 5th one down, I didn't purchase from E-Bay though, I got mine at a motor cycle shop.
Most places similar should carry them as well.
http://motors-parts.shop.ebay.co.uk/Veh ... 86.c0.m282

 

[CaptCaper]

Thanks for the info.

 

[couch]

At 3 years is unlikely that neck strength is sufficient to handle a heavy style helmet .... Many warnings re heavy helmets on small necks (keep in mind that there is considerable momentum when bouncing around and the relative weight of the helmet / force increases substantially.

Most 3 year olds only tolerate very short rides before becoming bored or falling to sleep (head bob and your forced to ride with one arm around the child and one on the bars -PITA).

Riding with small kids means slow speed / easy / smooth trail /short duration. For each of our three small kids we started with a hockey helmet with full face lexan visor - light weight with a balaclava under for warmth. Once they hit 4 / 5 years (depending on the child) we moved to a lightweight open face helmet with a full clear shield. From 6/7 onward all moved up to motocross style helmets with goggles.

This seemed to work very well and all are now comfortable / accustomed to the enclosed style of the motocross helments.

 

[CaptCaper]

Thanks. We took him out yesterday. Used a snowboard helmet/balcalva/goggles and went until he wanted to go home.
We'll stick with this until he's of age. Thanks to all who replied.