6 Best Junior Bobsled Helmets That Coaches Actually Recommend

Your child comes home from a "try bobsled" day with eyes wide with excitement, and suddenly you’re looking at registration forms for a youth program. It’s a thrilling moment, but it’s quickly followed by a list of required equipment, with "race-certified helmet" sitting right at the top. This isn’t like buying a new pair of cleats; this piece of gear is the single most important investment you’ll make in your child’s safety as they learn to navigate an ice track at speed.

Key Safety Features in Junior Bobsled Helmets

When you first look at bobsled helmets, the jargon can feel overwhelming. Let’s cut through the noise. The most critical feature to look for is a FIS RH 2013 certification. This is a non-negotiable standard set by the International Ski Federation, ensuring the helmet can withstand the high-speed, multiple-impact scenarios common to sliding sports. Think of it as the baseline for entry into the sport.

Beyond that certification, you’ll see terms like "hard-shell construction," which refers to a durable ABS plastic outer shell bonded to an impact-absorbing EPS foam liner. This two-part system is designed to manage both sharp impacts and broad force distribution. You may also encounter advanced systems like MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) or SPIN (Shearing Pad INside), which are designed to reduce rotational forces on the brain during an angled impact. While not always mandatory at the entry-level, these are features many coaches strongly recommend as a child progresses.

Uvex Race+ FIS: A Top Choice for Youth Programs

If you ask a handful of junior bobsled coaches what helmet they recommend most often, the Uvex Race+ will likely be mentioned first. There’s a simple reason for this: it’s a fantastic, no-nonsense workhorse that does its job exceptionally well. It meets the crucial FIS certification, offers a secure and comfortable fit for a wide range of head shapes, and provides excellent protection without an eye-watering price tag.

For parents of kids just entering a development program (ages 10-14), this helmet hits the perfect balance. It provides top-tier safety without requiring you to invest in features they may not need for another few years. It’s durable, reliable, and has a proven track record in youth programs across the country. It’s the helmet that says, "We’re serious about safety, and we’re here to learn."

Casco SP-3: Versatility for Young Sliders

Is your child the type who wants to try everything at the winter sports complex? One week it’s bobsled, the next they’re asking about skeleton or luge. The Casco SP-3 is a fantastic option for the young, multi-talented slider, offering a blend of high-level protection and adaptability.

What sets the SP-3 apart is its thoughtful design, which often includes features like interchangeable visors or goggle integration that works seamlessly. This versatility makes it a smart investment, as it can adapt to different disciplines or even changing weather conditions without needing a whole new helmet. For the family juggling multiple winter sports, the Casco provides certified safety that can grow with your child’s evolving interests.

POC Skull Orbic X SPIN for Advanced Protection

You’ve seen your child progress from hesitant first runs to confidently steering through corners. Their speed is increasing, and so is their commitment to the sport. This is the point where you might consider upgrading to a helmet with more advanced protective technology, and the POC Skull Orbic X SPIN is a leader in this category.

This helmet is built for the higher demands of competitive racing. It features a multi-impact EPP liner, which is designed to withstand repeated impacts without compromising its integrity—a key feature in a sport where bumps against the wall are part of the learning process. The addition of POC’s SPIN technology specifically addresses the dangerous rotational forces from angled crashes. It’s a significant step up, ideal for the junior athlete (ages 14+) who is training and competing regularly.

Giro Strive MIPS: A Focus on Impact Safety

For many parents, peace of mind is the top priority. You want to know you’ve invested in the very best brain protection technology available. The Giro Strive MIPS is a helmet built around this principle, making the MIPS system its central feature.

MIPS is essentially a low-friction layer inside the helmet that allows the outer shell to rotate slightly relative to the liner on impact. This small movement helps redirect rotational energy that could otherwise be transferred to the brain. While the physics are complex, the benefit is simple: it adds another layer of defense against certain types of impacts. For the developing slider who is pushing their limits, the Strive MIPS offers that extra measure of confidence for both the athlete and the parent on the sideline.

Carrera Bullet: A Classic for Developing Sliders

Sometimes, you don’t need the latest, most technologically advanced option; you need something that is proven, trusted, and effective. The Carrera Bullet has been a mainstay in the sliding world for years for good reason. It’s a classic hard-shell helmet that provides excellent, FIS-certified protection and is known for its durability.

This is a great helmet for a new slider or a family on a budget. Because of its long-standing reputation, you can often find them in excellent condition on the second-hand market, though you must always inspect a used helmet for any signs of cracks or compression. For a young athlete in their first or second season, the Carrera Bullet offers all the necessary protection to learn the sport safely.

Uvex Wing Race: Aerodynamics for Junior Racers

As your child moves from participation to competition, the conversation shifts from "just getting down the track" to "finding ways to be faster." Hundredths of a second start to matter. The Uvex Wing Race is designed for exactly this stage, blending top-tier safety with an aerodynamic profile.

This helmet features a streamlined, teardrop shape that is engineered to reduce drag at high speeds. While it meets all the same rigorous FIS safety standards as other race helmets, its primary advantage is performance. This is not a helmet for a first-timer. It’s an investment for the dedicated junior racer who has mastered the fundamentals and is now focused on optimizing every element of their run.

Ensuring a Perfect Helmet Fit for Your Child

A $500 helmet that doesn’t fit properly is less safe than a $150 helmet that fits like a glove. The fit is everything. Before you buy anything, take a soft measuring tape and measure the circumference of your child’s head at its widest point, usually about an inch above the eyebrows. This number in centimeters is your starting point.

When the helmet arrives, follow these steps to ensure a proper fit:

• The helmet should sit level on the head, with the front rim just above the eyebrows. It shouldn’t be tilted back or pushed down over their eyes.
• With the chin strap unbuckled, ask your child to shake their head side-to-side and up-and-down. The helmet should stay snug and not wobble around. If it moves freely, it’s too big.
• Fasten the chin strap. It should be snug enough that you can only fit one or two fingers between the strap and their chin. When they open their mouth wide, they should feel the helmet pull down slightly.

Take your time with this process. A helmet that is too loose can shift during a run, and one that is too tight will cause painful pressure points and headaches. The right fit is snug, secure, and comfortable for the entire run.

Choosing the right helmet is one of your first big decisions as a bobsled parent, but it doesn’t have to be a stressful one. Focus on a certified, properly fitting helmet that matches your child’s current skill and commitment level. By doing so, you’re not just buying a piece of equipment; you’re providing the security they need to fall in love with the speed, challenge, and thrill of the sport.