Recommendation for child's helmet

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Recommendation for child's helmet

Postby pebblepoint » Feb 9, 2007 6:43 pm

I'd like to buy my 7 year old grandson a quality, comfortable caving helmet. Any recommendations?
thanks.
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Postby YuccaPatrol » Feb 9, 2007 7:05 pm

Petzl makes a child size Elios helmet. Just like the adult helmet.

http://www.upsideover.com/Helmets-s/8.htm

Upside over is great for having quality gear for kids
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Postby JoeyS » Feb 9, 2007 7:06 pm

Petzl Elios comes in a small size.
REI has a good selection of climbing helmets too.
Also, wouldn't rule out a skateboarding helmet for horizontal stuff.
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Postby Scott McCrea » Feb 9, 2007 7:35 pm

Image

Left to right: My son Jack wearing a Petzl Ecrin-Roc, adult size, thin padding. Miles wearing a skateboard helmet. Conner wearing a Petzl Elios, size unknown.

The Ecrin-Roc fit my son four year old son just fine. And it's got lots of room to grow. The Elios fit Conner pretty good tho. If I were buying one, I'd choose the cheaper one.
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Postby JoeyS » Feb 9, 2007 7:43 pm

Teehee!... look at the little cavers! :kewl:
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Postby monicak » Feb 9, 2007 7:52 pm

Very nice sprouts you have there. I'd say also measure first. You may have a melon head who needs an adult size helmet. My son has big head mens xl since he was three. Family trait I have to say I am the same size.
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Postby chaz » Feb 9, 2007 10:57 pm

Thats a fine looking survey team! Sketching with crayolas, gotta start somewhere!
Respect the past and learn, Be active in the present and enjoy, Contribute to the future in a constructive manner. Chaz NSS 55321
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Postby Adam Byrd » Feb 10, 2007 2:21 pm

As an alternative to those helmets already mentioned, I would suggest looking at the Kong Spider. It weighs 350 g, (about the same as an Elios), and fits smaller heads well. It's also less expensive, and pretty sharp looking.

One criticism I have is of the headlamp clips. The design of the rear clips places them in a position where I could easily see them snagging and being snapped off.

Here's a pic:

Image
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Postby NZcaver » Feb 10, 2007 3:59 pm

pebblepoint wrote:I'd like to buy my 7 year old grandson a quality, comfortable caving helmet. Any recommendations?

Although they're not "quality, comfortable caving helmets", bicycle helmets work pretty well on young kids for non-vertical caving. They're cheap, easy to find, lightweight, comfortable, and it's not difficult to fit them securely. A little duct tape, and you can mount a headlamp or two on them with no problem.

Unless you like spending big money on small helmets, I would wait until they're in their teens - and committed to caving - before bothering with the "real" helmets. Of course if you can persuade your local grotto to purchase a kids climbing helmet or two as loaners, that works too. :wink:
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Postby Biggimo1 » Feb 10, 2007 11:47 pm

Hey Don, edilrid makes a child size lid too. I,m happy with my adult size.

We should go caving again sometime, when my knee heals. Just got it cut on.

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Postby minter_g » Feb 11, 2007 10:21 am

I bought two kid star caving helmets for my children.
They are about $35 each.
They still seem to fit. Their ages are 6 and 10.
If you do an internet search you will find them at some climbing or caving stores.
They do not have headlight clips, but there are vents to run bungies or rubberbands through to secure the headlights.
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Postby tropicalbats » Feb 12, 2007 2:19 am

My kid is not a pumpkinhead, but loves the Petzl Roc. And does not like LED lights, thus uses a Petzl Zoom. Which doesn't make for a very good match.


Image

I really gotta get him off to a meet where we can try on lighter helmet/light combos so he doesn't have that rakish tilt to his headgear all the time.

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Postby Chris Chenier » Feb 19, 2007 8:30 pm

My daughter got her "Edelrid Junior" helmet when she was about 4. Nice helmet, except for the chin strap which requires sliding the webbing to adjust instead of clipping to close. She's now 9 and still has a several years to go before it's too small. Good helmet.

For younger kids, a bicycle helmet with a lightweight light (such as a Tikka) is best, as they don't make climbing helmets for toddlers...
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Postby piers » Feb 27, 2007 4:43 pm

Those helmets look much more suitable than a bike helmet... I will need to upgrade!

http://www.xenopuselectronix.com/Caving ... G_0382.JPG

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Postby MUD » Feb 27, 2007 5:55 pm

The edelrid junior is made for children/smaller heads. I have 2 of them...one for the 9 yr. old and one for my 4 yr. old son. They fit very well, no sliding around. They will also fit a smaller adult head... :grin:
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