BMX Helmet Size & Fit Guide – Getting the Right Fit for Your Rider

As a Mum, one of the things I care most about when my child lines up on the BMX gate is knowing we've done everything we can to keep them protected.

We spend a lot of time making sure their bike is the right size, their tyres are right, their brakes are working and their gear is ready — but the helmet is one piece of equipment I don't think we should ever guess on.

A helmet can look great and have all the right safety features, but if it doesn't fit properly, it's not doing the job we bought it to do.

That's why getting the right size and fit matters so much.

We've put together this guide using the Fly Racing helmet sizing chart, as Fly Racing is one of the helmet brands we stock here at Trackstars BMX.

Start With a Tape Measure

The easiest place to start is by measuring your rider's head.

You'll need a soft measuring tape.

Measure around the widest part of the head:

• Approximately 2.5 cm / 1 inch above the eyebrows

• Just above the ears

• Around the largest part at the back of the head

Keep the tape level and snug, but don't pull it too tight.

Write the measurement down in centimetres.

If you don't have a soft tape measure, use a piece of non-stretchy string and then measure that against a ruler.

It only takes a minute, but it gives you a much better starting point than simply guessing based on age.

Trackstars BMX Helmet Size Guide

Every rider's head shape is different, and helmet models can fit slightly differently too.

The measurement gets you into the right size range, but the final fit is just as important.

How Should a Full-Face BMX Helmet Fit?

A full-face BMX helmet should feel snug and secure.

When you first put a new helmet on your child, you may think, that feels quite tight.

That's not necessarily a bad thing.

New cheek pads can feel firm and will usually settle a little with use.

What I'm looking for is a helmet that feels evenly snug around the head and cheeks without creating painful pressure points.

Once the helmet is on, ask your rider to gently move their head:

• Side to side

• Up and down

The helmet should move with their head.

If their head is moving freely inside the helmet, or the helmet can easily rotate around, it's too loose.

That's the part I personally wouldn't compromise on.

Snug Is Good. Painful Isn't.

There's a real difference between a helmet that fits properly and one that's simply too small.

A good fit should:

• Feel secure around the whole head

• Hold firmly around the cheeks

• Stay in position when your rider moves

• Have even pressure

• Feel snug when new

A helmet may be too small if:

• There are painful pressure points

• It creates excessive pressure around the temples or forehead

• Your rider gets a headache after wearing it

• They can't get the helmet into the correct position

• It's genuinely uncomfortable rather than just firm

Kids aren't always great at explaining what they're feeling either.

Sometimes you'll get a simple “it's too tight” because the cheek pads feel different from their old worn-in helmet.

Give it a proper check rather than judging it purely by their first reaction.

Don't Buy a Helmet That's Too Big So They'll Grow Into It

This is probably one of the hardest things when buying gear for kids.

They grow so quickly.

As a parent, it's completely natural to think about getting a little extra life out of something — especially when you're investing in a good quality helmet.

But this is one piece of equipment I wouldn't deliberately oversize.

A helmet needs to fit properly now.

If it's loose enough to move around on their head, it's too big.

When I think about why we're putting them in the helmet in the first place, getting the fit right today matters more than getting another season out of it.

Don't Choose Helmet Size by Age

Two kids can be exactly the same age and have completely different head measurements.

So rather than saying, “they're nine, they'll probably be a Youth Large,” measure them.

Fly Racing youth sizing is:

• Youth Small – 47–48 cm

• Youth Medium – 49–50 cm

• Youth Large – 51–52 cm

That little tape measure will give you a far better answer than the rider's age.

What If They're Between Sizes?

If your rider sits right between two sizes, check the sizing information for the exact helmet model you're looking at.

Don't automatically assume larger is always better.

Whichever size you choose still needs to pass the fit test once it's on their head.

If you're not sure, ask us.

We'd much rather help you work through the sizing before you order than have you second-guessing whether the helmet fits properly.

Can Cheek Pads Help Fine-Tune the Fit?

On some helmets, different thickness cheek pads or replacement liners are available.

That can be really useful when the helmet fits properly around the head but the cheek area needs a little adjustment.

Always use padding designed specifically for that helmet model.

Never modify the protective foam inside a helmet or try to make an incorrect size fit by adding your own padding.

Check the Chin Strap

Once the helmet fit feels right, fasten the chin strap properly.

It should hold the helmet securely without causing discomfort.

The helmet shouldn't be able to roll excessively forward or backward once it's fastened.

It's also worth teaching younger riders what a correctly fastened strap should feel like.

We all know how quickly kids can throw a helmet on when they're rushing back to staging.

Making the fit and strap check part of their normal routine is a good habit to build.

Recheck Their Helmet as They Grow

Kids can change a lot over one season.

A helmet that fitted perfectly at the start of the year may not feel the same several months later.

It's worth checking again:

• After a growth spurt

• At the start of a new race season

• If the helmet suddenly feels tighter

• If it starts moving more than it used to

• If the internal padding has become heavily compressed

• When changing helmet models or brands

Don't assume it still fits because they can physically get it on their head.

Measure again.

Don't Forget Helmet Condition

Fit isn't the only thing worth checking.

Have a good look over your child's helmet regularly.

Check for:

• Cracks or visible damage

• Damaged straps or buckles

• Loose or heavily worn padding

• Damage to the shell

• Anything that looks different after a crash

If your rider has had a significant impact, check the helmet carefully and follow the manufacturer's replacement advice.

There are some pieces of BMX equipment where I don't mind trying to get a little more life out of them.

A helmet isn't one of them.

The Best Helmet Is One That Fits Properly

As parents, we can't remove every risk from BMX — and honestly, that's part of what our kids love about the sport.

They're learning confidence, resilience and how to push themselves.

What we can do is make sure they're wearing equipment that fits properly and is appropriate for what they're doing.

For me, that means not guessing when it comes to their helmet.

Measure their head. Check the size chart. Put the helmet on. Check the fit.

And if something doesn't feel right, ask.

If you're looking at a Fly Racing helmet from us and aren't sure about sizing, send us:

• Your rider's head measurement in centimetres

• The helmet model you're looking at

• Their current helmet and size

• Whether the current helmet feels tight or loose

and we'll help you work through it.

At Trackstars BMX, we're parents and BMX people too.

We want your rider heading onto the track feeling confident — and we want you standing trackside knowing you've done everything you can to make sure they're properly protected.

Trackstars BMX
Elevate your ride.