6 Best Bmx Helmets Under 100 For Kids With Pro-Level Safety Tech

Your child just discovered the local pump track, and suddenly their world revolves around getting "air" on their BMX bike. You head to the store, ready to invest in their newfound passion, and are met with a wall of helmets. They all look similar, but the prices and features vary wildly, leaving you wondering where the smart investment really lies. The great news is that professional-level safety technology, once reserved for elite adult riders, is now available in affordable kids’ helmets, ensuring their developing brain is protected without you having to break the bank.

Why MIPS is a Non-Negotiable for Young Riders

You’ve probably seen the little yellow MIPS sticker on helmets and wondered if it’s just another marketing gimmick. In my experience guiding families, I consider it the single most important safety feature to look for, especially for young riders. MIPS, which stands for Multi-directional Impact Protection System, is a low-friction layer inside the helmet that allows for a slight sliding movement upon impact. Think of it as mimicking the brain’s own protective fluid.

Why does this matter so much for kids? Most falls, especially in BMX, aren’t straight-on impacts. They are angled, creating rotational forces that can be particularly harmful to a developing brain. Standard helmets are great for direct impacts, but MIPS is specifically designed to reduce those dangerous rotational motions.

When we’re talking about protecting something as precious as our child’s head, this isn’t the place to cut corners. The fact that this technology is now available in helmets under $100 is a massive win for parents. It makes the decision simple: if you’re buying a new helmet for a child who is learning to push their limits, MIPS should be a non-negotiable starting point.

Bell Sidetrack II MIPS: All-Around Trail Safety

Does your child’s "BMX riding" also include family trail rides, trips to the pump track, and just cruising the neighborhood? If you need one helmet to do it all, the Bell Sidetrack II is a fantastic workhorse. It has the look and feel of a modern mountain bike helmet, which many kids in the 8-to-12 age range find appealing, but its features are perfectly suited for the varied demands of a young BMX enthusiast.

The Sidetrack II offers excellent rear coverage, extending lower down the back of the head than many traditional helmets. This is critical for the unexpected backward tumbles that are common when learning new skills. It also features Bell’s Ergo Fit dial system, which is simple enough for a child to adjust themselves, promoting independence and ensuring a snug fit every time they ride.

This helmet hits the sweet spot for the child whose interests are broad. It provides top-tier MIPS protection for the skatepark without looking out of place on a weekend bike path adventure. It’s a practical, durable choice that supports their growth across multiple cycling disciplines, making it a smart investment for families.

Giro Scamp MIPS for the Smallest BMX Beginners

Watching your three or four-year-old take their first wobbly laps on a 12-inch BMX bike is a heart-stopping mix of pride and panic. For these smallest riders, the helmet’s weight and fit are just as important as its safety rating. The Giro Scamp MIPS is specifically engineered for the unique proportions of a toddler or preschooler’s head.

The Scamp is remarkably lightweight, which is crucial for little ones who don’t yet have strong neck muscles. A heavy helmet can cause fatigue and discomfort, making them less likely to want to wear it. It also includes a built-in visor and a clever, pinch-guard buckle that saves tiny chins from painful accidents—a detail any parent who has rushed this step will appreciate.

Most importantly, its Roc Loc Jr. fit system is a simple dial that makes securing the helmet on a squirming child a quick and easy process. For the earliest stages of riding, where every experience shapes their long-term love of the sport, a comfortable and secure helmet like the Scamp MIPS is foundational. It provides pro-level protection in a package that’s actually designed for them to wear without a fuss.

Fox Mainframe MIPS: Pro Style and Extended Coverage

For the 8- to 14-year-old who is starting to pay attention to pro riders and brand names, style becomes a huge factor in compliance. If they think their helmet looks "lame," good luck getting them to wear it. The Fox Mainframe MIPS solves this problem by delivering the signature, aggressive style of a top-tier brand in an accessible, youth-sized package.

This helmet looks fast, and that matters to kids who are starting to identify as serious riders. Beyond aesthetics, the Mainframe provides deep, extended coverage at the back and sides, offering more protection than many traditional cross-country style helmets. This design is ideal for the unpredictable nature of learning tricks at the skatepark or on dirt jumps, where falls can happen in any direction.

The Fox Mainframe proves you don’t have to sacrifice safety for style. It gives kids the "pro" look they want while giving you the peace of mind that comes with MIPS technology and superior head coverage. It’s the perfect choice for the intermediate rider who is becoming more committed to the sport and wants gear that reflects their growing passion.

Lazer Gekko MIPS with its Unique AutoFit System

"Is my helmet on right?" If you hear this question constantly, or if you worry your child isn’t keeping their helmet properly adjusted, the Lazer Gekko is a game-changer. Its standout feature is the AutoFit Retention System. It’s an internal, spring-loaded mechanism that automatically adjusts to provide a secure fit every single time your child puts it on. There’s no dial to turn and no need for constant parental checks.

This feature is a massive win for both safety and family logistics. It ensures the helmet is always positioned correctly for maximum protection, even if your child is in a hurry to get riding. The Gekko also features extended coverage on the sides and rear, creating a protective cradle around the head that’s especially beneficial for younger riders who are still developing their balance and coordination.

The Lazer Gekko is an ideal helmet for the 5- to 9-year-old rider. It removes the guesswork from achieving a perfect fit, which is one of the most critical and often overlooked aspects of helmet safety. This "set it and forget it" system builds good habits and ensures they are protected, even when you’re not there to do a final check.

Triple 8 Dual Certified for Park and Street Use

Is your child’s BMX bike just one part of their wheeled-sport obsession? If they spend just as much time on a skateboard or scooter, a dual-certified helmet is the most practical and safest choice. The Triple 8 Dual Certified helmet is a classic in the skate and BMX world for a reason. It meets both the CPSC standard for bicycle helmets and the ASTM F1492 standard for skateboarding.

This is more than just a label. The two certifications cover different impact types. CPSC bike standards test for high, single impacts, while ASTM skate standards test for multiple, lower-force impacts common in trick-based sports. Having both means your child is properly protected whether they fall from their bike at the pump track or off a ledge on their skateboard.

The classic skate-style shell offers excellent coverage and durability, standing up to the scuffs and scrapes of park and street riding. While many versions come with MIPS, even the standard model provides fantastic, certified protection. For the versatile kid who lives at the skatepark, this helmet is an essential piece of gear that covers all their bases.

Mongoose Capture: A Solid CPSC-Certified Starter

Let’s be practical. Sometimes a child’s intense interest in BMX is a week-long phase before they move on to something else. If you’re looking for a safe, reliable, and extremely budget-friendly option for a beginner just testing the waters, the Mongoose Capture is a solid starting point. It may not have the advanced MIPS system, but it is fully CPSC certified, which is the mandatory US safety standard for bicycle helmets.

This helmet provides the essential protection required by law and is a world away from the uncertified helmets you might find in a toy aisle. It features a familiar dial-fit system for adjustability and provides decent coverage for casual riding around the neighborhood or those first few tentative trips to the local track.

The Mongoose Capture is the answer to the "quality vs. they’ll outgrow it" dilemma for the absolute beginner. It ensures your child is safe while you gauge their long-term commitment to the sport. If their passion for BMX ignites and they start attempting more advanced skills, you can then confidently upgrade to a MIPS-equipped helmet, knowing your initial investment was both safe and sensible.

Ensuring the Perfect Fit for Maximum Protection

You can buy the most technologically advanced helmet in the world, but it’s nearly useless if it doesn’t fit correctly. A poorly fitting helmet can shift during a fall, failing to protect the critical areas of the head. Teaching your child how a helmet should feel is as important as buying the right one.

Use these simple checks every single time:

• The Two-Finger Rule: The helmet should sit low on the forehead, with only one or two finger-widths of space between their eyebrows and the bottom of the helmet.
• The "V" Strap: The side straps should form a "V" shape that meets just below each earlobe.
• The Chin Strap: You should only be able to fit one or two fingers between the buckled strap and their chin. It should be snug, but not uncomfortable.
• The Shake Test: Ask your child to shake their head "yes" and "no." The helmet should stay firmly in place without significant wobbling.

Finally, a crucial piece of advice: never buy a helmet "to grow into" and never use a hand-me-down. The protective foam in a helmet is designed to crush during a single major impact, and you can’t know the history of a used helmet. Its integrity could be compromised from a previous fall or even from simple degradation over time. A new, properly fitting helmet is one of the most important investments you’ll make in your child’s safety.

Choosing the right helmet is about more than just a color or a brand. It’s about matching the right level of protection to your child’s age, skill, and passion. By focusing on a proper fit and prioritizing modern safety tech like MIPS, you can give them the confidence to push their boundaries, learn new skills, and, most importantly, get back up safely after a fall. That’s how a love for sport is truly built.