The Best Kids Ski Helmets: 4 Compared (and One to Skip)

RBE top pick

Smith Glide Jr. Mips

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The Glide Jr. Mips is the only helmet here that lists both snow standards and a Mips layer together with a dial fit and three youth sizes. The OutdoorMaster bundle lists the same two snow standards at a lower price tier and adds goggles, but leaves out rotational protection.

A kids' ski helmet is one of the few pieces of ski gear where the label matters more than the look. The two snow helmet standards to check are ASTM F2040 in the US and EN 1077 in Europe, and a growing number of kids' helmets add a rotational layer such as Mips. We compared a Mips helmet with both snow certifications, a budget helmet and goggle bundle, a bike and ski hybrid built for ages 5 to 8, and a popular multiseason helmet whose product page does not name its standards. For the adult version, see our separate ski helmets guide, and for the rest of the outfit our kids' snowsuits guide.

RBE top pick

Smith

Smith Glide Jr. Mips

Buy it

A light youth helmet with Mips, a dial fit and both ASTM F2040 and CE EN 1077 Class B listed by Smith.

Best for: Parents who want one clearly certified, Mips-equipped helmet that adjusts as a child grows through the youth sizes.

$$ · mid-range

Why we like it

• Smith lists ASTM F2040 and CE EN 1077:2007 Class B, so the helmet is covered on both sides of the Atlantic.
• A Mips layer is built in, which Smith says reduces rotational forces caused by angled impacts.
• Three youth sizes (YXS, YS, YM) and a stated 350 g for the YM, which Smith calls the widest youth size range in its line.

Know before buying

• Smith's product page does not give the head circumference for each youth size, so you need the separate size guide or a try-on.
• The vents are fixed, so there is no way to close them on very cold days.
• It costs more than the budget bundle and does not include goggles.

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OutdoorMaster

OutdoorMaster REINDEER + HAPPY VALLEY Kids Snow Bundle

Buy it

A budget helmet and goggle set whose helmet OutdoorMaster says meets ASTM F2040-18 and CE EN 1077:2007 Class B.

Best for: Families buying a first helmet and goggles for a younger child on a tight budget who still want both snow standards listed.

$ · budget

Why we like it

• OutdoorMaster states the REINDEER helmet meets ASTM F2040-18 and CE EN 1077:2007 Class B.
• In-mold construction, an adjustable dial and 12 vents, plus a detachable fleece lining and removable earmuffs.
• The set includes HAPPY VALLEY kids' goggles, and the store lists 30-day returns and a 2-year warranty.

Know before buying

• No rotational system such as Mips is listed.
• Only two sizes, XS (48 to 52 cm) and S (52 to 56 cm), so older kids with larger heads will outgrow it.
• The goggles are bundled in, so you pay for them even if your child already has a pair that fits.
• No helmet weight is listed on the product page.

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Bern

Bern Nino DVRT Winter Helmet

It depends

A light bike and ski helmet for ages 5 to 8, certified to ASTM F2040 and bike standards, with Bern's DVRT padding.

Best for: Families in the US who want a single light helmet a 5 to 8 year old can wear on the bike in summer and on the slopes in winter.

$$ · mid-range

Why we like it

• Bern lists ASTM F2040 plus the US CPSC bike standard (for persons age 5 and older) and EN1078, so one helmet covers bike and snow.
• A stated average weight of 310 g, the lightest figure listed in this group, with a Compass Fit dial.
• DVRT padding, which Bern describes as integrated sliding layers that help redirect impact energy.

Know before buying

• Bern does not list EN 1077, the European snow helmet standard, on the product page.
• Bern sizes it for children ages 5 to 8, so it is outgrown sooner than the Smith.
• Only two sizes, XS/S and S/M, with no centimetre ranges in the product text.
• Seven vents, fewer than the budget bundle's twelve.

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We'd skip it

Anon

Anon Rime 3 Kids Ski & Snowboard Helmet

Skip it

A tough multiseason hardshell whose product page does not name its standards and has no rotational system or dial.

Best for: Few buyers: the Smith gives named certifications, Mips and a dial at a similar price tier.

$$ · mid-range

Why we like it

• Injection-molded ABS Endura shell that Anon describes as ding-resistant for daily use.
• Fidlock magnetic buckle that closes with one hand, and a removable liner and ear pads.
• Regular and Round Fit shapes, plus a 1-year warranty and a 2-year crash replacement policy.

Know before buying

• Anon calls it multiseason certified for ski/snowboard, bike and skate but the product page does not say which standards, so you cannot check ASTM F2040 or EN 1077 from it.
• No Mips or other rotational system is listed, unlike the Smith at a similar price tier.
• An elastic auto-adjust closure instead of a dial, so you cannot fine-tune the fit over a hat or as the child grows.
• No helmet weight is listed.

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How we judged the field

Five things matter most in a kids ski helmet. First, the certification: ASTM F2040 is the US snow sports helmet specification and EN 1077 is the European one, and the label should name them. Second, rotational protection such as Mips, which is added on top of those standards. Third, a fit system that can be adjusted with a dial, because kids wear hats, grow and lose weight in their cheeks between seasons. Fourth, a size range that actually matches your child’s head. Fifth, the comfort details, such as liners, ear pads and goggle fit, that decide whether a child keeps the helmet on all day.

The market splits into dedicated snow helmets, budget bundles sold with goggles, and multisport helmets that cover bike and snow. We picked one of each type, plus a popular multiseason helmet that shows why reading the certification line matters. We left out the adult picks from our ski helmets guide and focused on helmets sold specifically in kids’ and youth sizes.

The Smith Glide Jr. Mips is the helmet we would point most parents to first. Smith lists both ASTM F2040 and CE EN 1077:2007 Class B, so it is covered for skiing in North America and Europe, and it adds a Mips layer that Smith says reduces rotational forces caused by angled impacts. The shell is in-mold construction fused to the EPS foam, which keeps the stated weight to 350 g in the YM size. An adjustable dial handles fit changes on the hill, the plush liner adds warmth, and the goggle strap lock can be removed when goggles go under the helmet. Smith says the Glide Jr. has the widest youth size range in its line, covering YXS, YS and YM. The trade-offs are fixed vents that cannot be closed on the coldest days and a product page that does not print the centimetre range for each size, so use Smith’s size guide or a try-on. It is for parents who want named certifications, Mips and a dial in one helmet.

The OutdoorMaster REINDEER + HAPPY VALLEY Kids Snow Bundle is the value pick because the helmet’s certification line is clear and the price tier is low. OutdoorMaster states the REINDEER helmet meets ASTM F2040-18 and CE EN 1077:2007 Class B, the same two snow standards the Smith lists. It uses in-mold construction, has 12 vents, an adjustable dial, a detachable fleece lining, removable earmuffs and a soft chin band, and the bundle adds HAPPY VALLEY kids’ goggles with a double-layer lens. The sizes are XS (48 to 52 cm) and S (52 to 56 cm), and the store lists 30-day returns and a 2-year warranty. What you give up is rotational protection: no Mips or similar system is listed. There is also no helmet weight on the page, and you pay for goggles even if you already own a pair. It is for families equipping a younger child for the first time on a tight budget.

The Bern Nino DVRT Winter Helmet makes sense for a specific family. Bern sizes it for children ages 5 to 8 and lists ASTM F2040, compliance with the US CPSC bike helmet standard for persons age 5 and older, and EN1078, so it is a single helmet for bike and ski days. It has Bern’s Compass Fit dial, seven vents, Zipmold liquid injected foam and a stated average weight of 310 g, the lowest listed weight here. Bern’s DVRT padding uses integrated sliding layers that Bern says help redirect impact energy. The catch is that Bern does not list EN 1077 on the product page, which matters if you ski in Europe or your child joins a program that asks for it. The 5 to 8 age range also means it is outgrown sooner than the Smith, and the two sizes, XS/S and S/M, come without centimetre ranges in the product text. Our kids’ bike helmets guide covers the summer-only Nino. It is for US families who want one helmet across seasons.

The Anon Rime 3 Kids helmet is a popular, durable hardshell, but it is hard to recommend at its price tier. Anon describes it as multiseason certified for ski/snowboard, bike and skate, with an injection-molded ABS Endura shell, a removable liner and ear pads, a Fidlock magnetic buckle, and Regular and Round Fit shapes. The problem is what the product page leaves out. It does not name which standards the helmet meets, so a parent cannot confirm ASTM F2040 or EN 1077 from the listing. No Mips or other rotational system is listed. The fit relies on an elastic auto-adjust closure rather than a dial, so you cannot tighten it over a thin hat or snug it up mid-season. No weight is listed either. Anon does offer a 1-year warranty and a 2-year crash replacement policy, which is a real plus. Still, the Smith Glide Jr. Mips sits in the same mid-range tier and gives named certifications, Mips and a dial, so most parents should skip the Rime 3.

Smith Glide Jr. Mips vs OutdoorMaster REINDEER + HAPPY VALLEY Kids Snow Bundle: which should you buy?

The Smith Glide Jr. Mips and the OutdoorMaster bundle list the same two snow standards, ASTM F2040 and CE EN 1077:2007 Class B, so the choice is not about basic certification. The Smith adds a Mips layer, a third youth size and a published weight of 350 g for the YM. The OutdoorMaster adds goggles, more vents and removable earmuffs at a lower price tier, but no rotational system.

If your budget allows, buy the Smith: Mips is the clearest safety difference between the two, and the three youth sizes give a longer runway as your child grows. Pick the OutdoorMaster if you need both helmet and goggles for a younger child and the budget is fixed, or if you are outfitting several kids at once. Either way, measure your child’s head, check the size chart and try the helmet on with goggles before the first ski day.

What to look for

• Named snow standards: look for ASTM F2040 or EN 1077 by name on the product page or the label, not just the word certified.
• Rotational protection: Mips or a similar system is added on top of the impact standards and is worth having when fit and price are close.
• A dial fit: a dial lets you tighten the helmet over a hat and keep it snug as your child grows through a season.
• Size in centimetres: measure the head just above the eyebrows and match it to the maker’s chart rather than guessing by age.
• Goggle compatibility: try the helmet on with your child’s goggles and check there is no gap between the goggle and the helmet brim.
• Crash replacement terms: helmets are designed to be replaced after a significant impact, so a crash replacement policy has real value.

Our final take

For most families the Smith Glide Jr. Mips is the helmet to buy: Smith lists both ASTM F2040 and CE EN 1077 Class B, it adds Mips and a dial, and it spans three youth sizes. If the budget is tight, the OutdoorMaster REINDEER + HAPPY VALLEY bundle lists the same two snow standards and throws in goggles, at the cost of rotational protection. The Bern Nino DVRT Winter Helmet is a smart single helmet for US families with a 5 to 8 year old who rides bikes too, as long as EN 1077 does not matter to you. Skip the Anon Rime 3 Kids helmet unless Anon confirms its standards, because the Smith offers more for a similar price tier.

Deciding between the top two? See our head-to-head: Smith Glide Jr. Mips vs OutdoorMaster REINDEER + HAPPY VALLEY Kids Snow Bundle.

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