Kids Ski Helmet Fitting - Which brands fit different head shapes

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Kids Ski Helmet

When it comes to skiing, nothing is more important than your child's helmet. A properly fitted ski helmet can significantly reduce the risk of serious head injuries and give you confidence that they're well protected while having fun.

Whether you're buying your first ski helmet or replacing one that's been outgrown, this guide explains everything you need to know to choose the perfect fit.

Why getting the right fit matters

The safest ski helmet isn't necessarily the most expensive one – it's the one that fits your child correctly.  A helmet that's too loose can move during a fall, reducing the protection it offers. One that's too tight will quickly become uncomfortable, leading children to undo the chin strap or constantly adjust the helmet.

The aim is simple: the ski helmet should fit snugly all the way around the head without creating painful pressure points.

Which ski helmet brands fit different head shapes?

Not all children's heads are shaped the same, and different helmet brands are designed around different head shapes.  There isn't many manufacturers that officially labels helmets by head shape, so the best guidance comes from consistent fit reports rather than published specifications.

How to tell my child's head shape?

Sit your child down and look at their head from above (or take a photo from directly overhead).  It is easier to see if you wet their hair and comb down.

Round head

• Width and length are fairly similar.
• The head appears almost circular.

Intermediate oval head

• The head is slightly longer from front to back than it is wide.
• This is the most common head shape in the UK

Long oval

• Noticeably longer than it is wide

If you're unsure, don't worry. The fit test will tell you much more than simply looking at the shape.

Which helmet brands suit different head shapes?

While every brand differs slightly, manufacturers do not specifically classify their helmets by head shape - rarely classifying junior ski helmets by head shape.  From various fitting experiences we have a general guide but it is always worth buying different helmets from different brands and trying them on in the comfort of your home.

How to measure your child's head

Measuring takes less than a minute - you just need a soft tape measure.

Measure around the largest part of the head:

• approximately 1cm above the eyebrows, just above the ears around the widest part at the back of the head

• Keep the tape level all the way around.

Most children's ski helmets are sized in centimetres, for example:

• 48–52cm
• 51–55cm
• 54–58cm

How should a ski helmet fit?

• The helmet should sit level on the head, covering the forehead
• It shouldn't sit tipped backwards like a baseball cap
• When first placed on the head (before tightening the adjustment dial), it should already feel comfortably snug all the way around.

Once adjusted:

• there should be even pressure all the way around the head
• no painful pressure points
• the helmet shouldn't rock forwards or backwards
• it shouldn't rotate from side to side
• it shouldn't lift off the forehead when gently pulled from the back
• A good helmet should feel secure without needing to be overtightened
• Leave the helmet on for around 10–15 minutessome pressure points only become noticeable after several minutes.

If your child says the helmet hurts after ten minutes, it almost certainly isn't the right shape for their head.

How much movement is acceptable?

• A correctly fitted helmet will move slightly with the skin on the forehead
• What shouldn't happen is the helmet sliding independently around the head
• Ask your child to shake their head from side to side and nod up and down
• The helmet should stay in place without excessive movement.

➡️The helmet is loose at the front and back but tight on the sides

• This usually means the helmet is too round for your child's head
• The sides are squeezing while the front and back still have gap
• Try a more oval-fitting brand such as Giro.

➡️ The helmet is tight on the forehead and the back

• This usually means the helmet is too oval for your child's head
• The front and back are under pressure while the sides feel comfortable
• A rounder-fitting helmet such as Bolle may provide a better fit

➡️The helmet rocks forwards and backwards

• The helmet is usually too large or the head shape isn't compatible.

➡️The helmet slides sideways

• It is too large or isn't tightened correctly

➡️There are painful pressure points

• The helmet is the wrong shape for your child's head
• Changing brand often solves the problem better than changing size.

➡️Should the chin strap be tight?

• The chin strap should be snug but comfortable
• You should be able to fit one or two fingers between the strap and your child's chin
• It should stop the helmet coming off during a fall, but it shouldn't dig into the skin or make swallowing uncomfortable.

➡️Should the rear adjustment dial be tight?

• The adjustment dial (or rear harness) is there to fine-tune the fit
• It should be snug enough that the helmet stays secure without creating pressure
• The dial shouldn't be used to compensate for a helmet that's fundamentally the wrong size
• If you have to tighten it fully just to stop the helmet moving, you probably need a different size or model.

➡️Will a ponytail affect the fit?

• Yes, it can.  Where possible wear a low ponytail or wear plaits and position hair below the rear adjustment system

➡️What features should you look for?

Modern children's ski helmets offer much more than basic protection.  Look out for:

• Certified safety standards (EN1077 for ski helmets)
• Adjustable fit system - mechanism inside a ski helmet that lets you fine-tune the helmet's circumference so it fits snugly
• Good ventilation
• Comfortable removable lining
• Ear pads for warmth
• Goggle strap retainer
• Lightweight construction
• Compatibility with ski goggles

Many premium children's helmets now also include MIPS or similar rotational impact protection technology.

➡️Will a helmet protect my child in a rotational fall?

Parents often worry about tumbles where a child falls forwards and rolls several times.

The answer is that a ski helmet is designed to help protect against many different impact types, including angled impacts that can create rotational forces.

Helmets fitted with technologies such as MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) are designed to help reduce some of the rotational forces transferred to the brain during certain angled impacts.

However, no helmet can completely prevent concussion or eliminate the risk of injury.

The most important factor is still ensuring the helmet fits correctly and is worn properly every time your child skis.

➡️How does a ski helmet actually protect the head?

A ski helmet works by managing the energy from an impact.  The hard outer shell spreads the force over a wider area and helps prevent objects penetrating the helmet.

Underneath, a thick layer of EPS (expanded polystyrene) foam compresses during an impact. This controlled crushing increases the time it takes for the head to stop moving, reducing the force transmitted to the skull and brain.

Think of it like the crumple zones on a car. The helmet sacrifices itself to absorb energy so your child's head doesn't have to.

Because the protective foam is designed to crush during an impact, any helmet involved in a significant crash should be replaced, even if there is no visible damage.

Finding the right children's ski helmet isn't about choosing the biggest brand or the most expensive model. It's about finding the helmet that matches your child's head shape and fits securely, comfortably and correctly.

We're always happy to help families find the safest and most comfortable option for every young skier. 📞for a chat and with our no quibble returns, you can order a few helmets from different brands in the size you need and try them on in a relaxed environment at home.