Baby & Family · Head-to-head
Bell Sidetrack II Mips vs Joovy Noodle Kids Bike Helmet
Which should you buy? Our verdict on both, pulled from our full The Best Kids' Bike Helmets: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) comparison.
The Sidetrack II Mips pairs a Mips Evolve layer with a genuinely easy dial and two universal shell sizes that cover most of elementary school. The Joovy Noodle costs a fraction as much, carries the age 1 and older extended head coverage certification the Bell does not, and is the smarter buy for a rider still on a balance bike.
Bell Sidetrack II Mips
Buy itThe default school-age helmet: Mips Evolve, an easy one-handed dial, and two shell sizes that cover roughly ages five through twelve.
- Bell lists Mips Evolve, which integrates the low-friction layer into the retention system instead of adding a separate liner.
- The Ergo Fit dial has a rubber overmolded knob that an adult can turn one-handed while the kid is already on the bike.
- Two universal sizes, 47 to 54 cm and 50 to 57 cm, mean one helmet can last several growth spurts.
- Bell's certification wording is for persons age 5 and older, so it is not the extended head coverage version a toddler should be in.
- Bell does not publish a vent count for this model, which makes hot-weather comfort hard to judge before you buy.
- At a listed 360 g in the youth size it is heavier than the lightest kids' helmets here.
Joovy Noodle Kids Bike Helmet
Buy itThe cheapest helmet here that still does the two things that matter most: extended head coverage certification and a real adjustment dial.
- Joovy states it complies with the US CPSC standard for bicycle helmets for persons age 1 and older with extended head coverage, the category built for small children.
- The dial-adjust fit system sits low at the back of the helmet, so it is easy to reach and tighten on a wriggling toddler.
- Joovy lists 14 vents with integrated bug mesh and a weight of 7.2 oz, which is a lot of airflow for the money.
- Joovy does not list Mips or any other rotational-impact system for the Noodle.
- Joovy publishes the size ranges in inches only, 18.5 to 20.5 in and 20.5 to 22 in, so you have to convert to compare with cm-based brands.
- The glossy shell scuffs and shows scratches faster than a matte finish.
Side by side
| Bell Sidetrack II Mips | Joovy Noodle Kids Bike Helmet | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | A five to twelve year old who rides regularly and needs a helmet that adjusts fast and survives being thrown in a garage corner. | Parents buying the first helmet for a one to four year old, or anyone who wants a second helmet for the grandparents' house without thinking hard about it. |
| Price tier | $$ · mid-range | $ · budget |
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the Bell Sidetrack II Mips - The default school-age helmet: Mips Evolve, an easy one-handed dial, and two shell sizes that cover roughly ages five through twelve. Choose the Joovy Noodle Kids Bike Helmet instead if parents buying the first helmet for a one to four year old, or anyone who wants a second helmet for the grandparents' house without thinking hard about it.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Kids' Bike Helmets: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).