A properly designed helmet should remain securely positioned on the head using the internal fit/retention system alone. The chin strap functions primarily as a secondary retention measure, but the helmet shell and fit system should prevent significant movement or displacement during an impact.
I fitted two of these helmets on my children and evaluated the fit by tightening the rear adjustment system and then performing a basic stability test. With the chin strap fastened, I gently lifted the front edge of the helmet to simulate forward displacement. In both cases the helmets slid upward and could be removed with minimal resistance.
A helmet that can be displaced this easily raises concerns about its ability to remain in the correct protective position during a forward fall or impact.
The strap anchor points are also positioned in a way that prevents the typical “Y-strap” configuration from sitting properly around the ears. Because the straps only adjust on one side, it is difficult to achieve a balanced and secure fit.
For reference, my children are 4 and 7 years old. I purchased the Toddler (Bow) and Jr (Woohoo) sizes. Despite selecting the appropriate size ranges and adjusting the retention system as intended, both helmets failed to maintain stable positioning on the head during basic fit testing.
