Best Skateboard Helmets for Kids (Dual-Certified & Tested)
If your child rides a skateboard, the helmet they wear matters more than you might think and it comes down to one key difference most parents overlook.
Skate-style helmets and true skateboard helmets are not the same thing. They may look identical on the outside, but flip one over and check the label inside: a genuine skateboard helmet must carry ASTM F1492 certification in addition to the CPSC certification required on all U.S. bike helmets. That dual certification means the helmet is built with a denser foam core and hard outer shell specifically engineered to handle the repeated lower-impact hits that come with skateboarding not just a single high-speed crash.
We’ve personally tested hundreds of kids’ helmets, evaluating fit, comfort, weight, ventilation, and build quality. Our recommendations are editorially independent and free of paid placement.
Best Dual-Certified Skateboard Helmets for Kids
Lazer Maze Jr. Kenticore
MSRP: $65 (w/ MIPS equivalent)
SIZE: Child (50-56cm)
Thousand Helmets
MSRP: $59 – $99
SIZES: Jr. (49-53 cm), S (54-57 cm)
Outdoor Master
MSRP: $45
SIZE: XS (46-51cm), S (52-55cm), M (51-58cm)
Additional Skateboard Helmets Options
- NUDL, $59 – Best Fun Graphics, MIPS and TwiceMe Safety
- Retrospec Remi (little kid) or Remi (big kid), $33+ – Retro Style on a Budget
- Bell Span, $54 – Classic Skate Style (older kids)
- Triple 8 Lil 8, $56 – Classic Skate Style (younger kids)
Top picks kids skateboard helmets
Lazer Maze Jr. Kenticore
$65
SIZE: Child (50-56cm)
WEIGHT: 400 g
FEATURES: Lightweight, highly ventilated, fixed ear straps, MIPS safety equivalent (Kenticore)
About the Lazer Maze Jr. Kenticore
The Lazer Maze Jr. is the helmet that made us rethink what a dual-certified skateboard helmet could be.
Traditional ASTM helmets come with well-known tradeoffs: heavy, bulky, poorly ventilated, and often a mediocre fit. The Maze Jr. addresses every one of those shortcomings. It’s one of the lightest dual-certified helmets we’ve tested — over 100 grams lighter than comparable models — and delivers exceptional ventilation, so sweaty post-skate heads are no longer a given. The fit system is dialed in, and it includes Kenticore, Lazer’s equivalent of MIPS, which adds protection against the rotational forces most common in real-world falls.
Whether your child genuinely needs a skateboard helmet or simply loves the classic aesthetic, the Maze Jr. is hard to beat. It’s our top recommendation across the board.
Thousand Jr. Kids
$60 – $99
SIZES: 49 – 53 cm (Thousand Jr), 54 – 57 cm (Thousand Heritage Small)
WEIGHT: 390g
FEATURES: Dual-certified, dial-adjust fit, integrated visor, magnetic buckle, retro color options, sticker kit for decorating helmet
Why we Love the Thousand Jr.
The Thousand Jr. (and its adult sibling, the Thousand Heritage) nails the intersection of safety and vintage-inspired style. Dual-certified, available in a wide range of colors, and finished with a satisfying magnetic buckle, it’s the helmet kids actually want to wear.
One caveat: ventilation is limited — there’s no front vent — so if you’re in a consistently hot climate, it may not be the most comfortable daily rider. Also note that the Thousand Jr. is sized for younger kids (roughly up to 54 cm head circumference). For older children, the Thousand Heritage in Small is worth a look as a seamless step-up option.
Outdoor Master Skateboard Helmet
$39 – *Use code “TWT15” for 15% off helmet on Outdoor Master*
SIZES: Small (46 – 51 cm), Medium (51 – 58 cm), Large (54 – 60 cm)
WEIGHT: 392g
FEATURES: Dial adjust fit system, two sets of internal pads to dial in fit, wide range of colors
What We Love About the Outdoor Master
For families who want genuine dual certification without a premium price, the Outdoor Master is our go-to recommendation. It’s a legitimately certified option in a category flooded with skate-style helmets that look the part but lack ASTM certification.
What sets it apart at this price point is its dial-adjust fit system — a feature rarely found on budget helmets — which makes getting a secure, consistent fit much easier. The main tradeoff is weight: like most budget skate helmets, it’s heavier than higher-end alternatives, and that’s unlikely to change without a significant bump in budget.
One important note when ordering: choose the Youth version (rectangular front vents), not the Kids version (circular vents). In our testing, the Youth fit significantly better across a range of head sizes.
Additional Dual Certified Helmets picks
NUDL
$59
SIZES: S (52-56cm), M (56-60 cm)
WEIGHT: 500g
FEATURES: Wide range of fun graphic designs, dial-adjust, MIPS safety tech, TwiceMe RFID identification chip, Fidlock magnetic buckle, locking slider
Why we Love the NUDL
The NUDL earns its spot on this list for two reasons: it’s one of the most feature-packed helmets and kids genuinely get excited about wearing it.
On the outside, NUDL offers an impressive range of graphics — dinosaurs, aliens, florals, unicorns — that make helmet-wearing feel like a choice rather than a chore. On the inside, it packs MIPS anti-rotational technology and TwiceMe, a smart ID system that lets first responders pull critical medical information by tapping a phone to the top of the helmet — a genuinely useful safety feature in the event of a serious accident. The dial-adjust fit system, locking chin strap sliders, and magnetic Fidlock buckle round out a strong package.
The one downside: the NUDL runs heavier and bulkier than most helmets on this list, which can be a real issue for smaller or petite riders.
Retrospec Remi
$36
ONE SIZE: XS (49 – 53 cm), Adult Sizes also available
WEIGHT: 428g
FEATURES: Classic design, white rubber bumper along the edge, reflective chin strap, built-in visor
What We Love About the Remi
Cute, durable, and genuinely affordable, the Retrospec Remi is a solid entry-level option for families on a tight budget. It comes in four sizes spanning toddler through adult, with a good variety of colors and graphics for both kids and adults.
Notable features include a protective rubber bumper along the helmet edge, reflective chin straps, and comfortable athletic padding. At 430 grams it’s on the heavier side, and it lacks the magnetic buckle and dual certification of the Thousand Jr. — but at roughly $20 less, it represents a fair value for casual riders.
Bell Span
$54
SIZES: XS (49-53cm), S (51-55cm)
WEIGHT: 433 g
FEATURES: Dial-adjust fit, sweat-wicking, sealed internal pad
About the Bell Span
The Bell Span is a time-tested option that does exactly what it promises: solid dual-certified protection in a clean, no-frills skate silhouette. It won’t win any awards for features — no MIPS, no magnetic buckle, no locking sliders — but its sturdy construction and classic aesthetic have made it a reliable staple for years. A strong choice for older kids who want a simple, trustworthy helmet.
Triple 8 Lil’ 8 & Little Tricky
$49
SIZES: Lil 8 (46 – 52 cm), Little Tricky (Youth – 50 – 56 cm)
WEIGHT: 509 g
FEATURES: Dial-adjust fit for Lil’ 8 only, Sweatsaver internal pads
About the Triple 8 Helmets
Triple 8 is one of the most recognized names at the skatepark, and for good reason. All of their kids’ helmets are dual-certified, and the brand has earned genuine credibility in the skate community.
That said, Triple 8 helmets are consistently the heaviest dual-certified options we’ve tested, which was noticeable — and sometimes bothersome — for our younger toddler testers. Older toddlers and preschoolers adapted more easily.
One note on the Little Tricky (the larger sibling of the Lil’ 8): rather than a dial-adjust system, it uses swappable foam pads of different thicknesses to size the fit. This is standard practice with adult skate helmets, but we’ve found it problematic for kids — the extra pads are easy to lose, and if your child’s head grows and you need the thinner set, there’s a good chance it’s long gone.
Skateboard Helmet Certifications FAQ
The denser foam and hard shell that make ASTM helmets protective also make them heavier than a standard CPSC bike helmet. If your child only rides a bike, a lighter CPSC helmet is the better choice. Save the dual-certified helmet for kids who are also hitting the skatepark.
The good news for skaters: nearly every ASTM-certified skateboard helmet is also CPSC certified, making it suitable for bikes, scooters, and skateboards alike. One helmet, covered everywhere.
There are three types of helmet certifications you may find in skateboarding helmets. Each certification has different requirements for impact testing based on intended use. When selecting a helmet, it is essential to purchase a helmet with a certification that matches your intended use.
Skateboarding, Skating and Regular Bicycle Use Helmet Certifications
| Certification | Activities Covered | Marketing Labels |
|---|---|---|
| ASTM F1492 | Skateboarding, aggressive/trick in-line and roller skating | Skateboard |
| CPSC 16 CFR 1203 | Bike riding (not-downhill), scooters, recreational in-line and roller skates | Bike, skating, “multi-sport” |
| EN 1078** | Skateboarding, bike riding, roller skates | Bike, skating, skateboarding |
Important: The EN 1078 standard requires significantly lower impact thresholds than ASTM F1492. European-certified helmets can be lighter and thinner as a result, but they don’t meet the same protection standard. A helmet with only EN 1078 certification is not considered dual-certified in the U.S.
Bike helmets (CPSC certified) and skateboard helmets (ASTM certified) are engineered differently because the crash profiles are different. Cyclists can crash at much higher speeds, so bike helmets use foam designed to absorb one large, high-energy impact. Skateboarders fall more frequently but at lower speeds, so skateboard helmets use denser foam built to withstand multiple smaller impacts.
Because of that denser construction, most ASTM-certified helmets also pass CPSC certification — which is why dual-certified helmets exist. Important caveat: dual certification means the helmet is rated for multiple impacts during skateboarding, not biking. Any helmet — dual-certified or not — should be replaced after a significant bicycle crash.
No — and this is one of the most common sources of confusion.
“Dual-certified” means CPSC + ASTM (or EN 1078): certified for both biking and skateboarding.
“Multi-sport” or “dual-sport” typically means the helmet covers biking, scootering, and recreational skating — all activities already covered under CPSC alone. These helmets are not certified for skateboarding. A common example is the Razor V-17, which is marketed as multi-sport but is not dual-certified.
All bicycle helmets sold in the U.S. are legally required to carry CPSC certification. Skateboard helmets, however, have no mandatory certification requirement. That makes it especially important to verify certifications before purchasing any skate or skate-style helmet.
All CPSC- and ASTM-certified helmets must display a certification sticker inside. If you’re shopping online, the product listing should clearly state which certifications apply. When in doubt, contact the manufacturer directly — or skip it.
We recommend sticking with established brands. A Consumer Reports investigation found that some helmets sold online claiming certification were not actually certified. We’re not suggesting all off-brand options are unsafe — but when it comes to head protection, the stakes are too high to gamble on an unknown manufacturer’s claims.
Requirements vary by state, but virtually every public and private skatepark — regardless of local law — requires helmet use. Check your local regulations, and when in doubt, wear one anyway.
FTC Disclosure: Affiliate links are included in this review. No monetary compensation was provided for this review, however, some of the reviewed products were supplied by the manufacturer or distributor to help facilitate this article. All opinions and images are that of Two Wheeling Tots LLC. All content and images are copyrighted and should not be used or replicated in any way. View our Terms of Use.
