POC Kids Helmets
POC kids bike helmets are built around one straightforward idea: children deserve protection that's been thought through for them, not scaled down from an adult product. The brand's dedicated POCito philosophy splits that protection into two distinct layers. First, proactive safety - fluorescent colourways in orange, pink, and yellow, paired with reflective detailing, so your child is spotted early by drivers and other riders on grey UK mornings or low-light trail centres. Second, reactive safety - child-specific EPS liners tuned for the speeds and impact forces relevant to younger riders, plus Mips rotational impact protection on key models to manage the angled knocks that straight-foam construction can't fully address.
What actually sets the POCito range apart from a generic kids' lid is that none of this feels like an afterthought. The 360-degree fit system dials in a secure, precise fit and keeps pace with a growing head over multiple seasons. Ventilation is generous enough to stay comfortable on a sticky summer family ride, and the PC shell construction is tough without adding unnecessary weight. Whether your child is still finding their balance on a first bike at the local park or beginning to push pace on trail centre blues, there's a POCito helmet matched to where they're riding - and how visible they need to be getting there.
Prices and availability can change quickly. Delivery charges are not always included in listed prices.
Final price, stock status and delivery terms are set by retailer. We may receive a commission on purchases made.
Safety Tech and Visibility: The POCito Advantage
POC's approach to child-specific safety starts well before any impact happens. The fluorescent visibility colourways - bright enough to register even through murky autumn light on a busy school-run road - are a deliberate design choice, not a marketing whim. Pair that with the reflective detailing stitched into the shell, and your child is generating contrast against the background in conditions where a standard white or black helmet simply disappears. For UK riding, where overcast skies are the default setting for much of the year, that proactive layer genuinely matters.
When an impact does occur, the EPS liner inside a POCito helmet is engineered differently to an adult equivalent. Children ride at lower speeds, and their heads are proportionally larger relative to body weight - so the foam density is calibrated to absorb energy from the kinds of crashes kids actually have, rather than being a miniaturised version of a liner designed for a 30 mph road descent. On Mips-equipped models, a thin slip-plane sits between the liner and the outer shell, allowing approximately 10 - 15mm of relative movement during an angled impact. That movement is what helps reduce the rotational forces transmitted to the brain. It's not a guarantee against injury, but the independent evidence behind Mips is substantial, and on a helmet your child will use daily, it's a worthwhile inclusion.
Compared to standard kids' lids from Bell or Giro, the POCito range's fluorescent colourways are noticeably more saturated - closer to a safety vest than a pastel fashion choice. That's a trade-off worth understanding: some kids will love the bold look, and some won't. But visibility is the point, and POC doesn't soften that.
Understanding the POC Kids Fit and Range
Getting the fit right on a kids' helmet is the detail most parents rush. A helmet sitting a finger's width above the brow, with the chin strap snug but not tight, is the starting point - but the 360-degree adjustable dial fit system on POCito helmets is what keeps things honest as your child grows. Rather than relying on pad swaps alone, the dial tightens a continuous cradle around the back and sides of the head, distributing retention evenly. It means you're not buying a new helmet every time their head grows half a centimetre; a couple of clicks on the dial and you're back to a secure fit.
Within the POCito range, the two models worth knowing are the POCito Crane and the POCito Omne Mips. The Crane sits in an urban and skate-influenced profile - a rounder, lower-slung shell with a more casual aesthetic that suits younger kids on pavements, bike paths, and pump tracks. The Omne Mips has a road and cross-country profile: more ventilation channels, a lighter overall feel, and the addition of Mips as standard. If your child is moving onto trail centres or picking up pace on road rides, the Omne Mips is the natural step up.
If you're also kitting out a younger sibling who's still on a balance bike, sizing starts small across the POCito range - check the circumference chart carefully rather than guessing by age. And if you're looking at protection beyond the helmet for more committed off-road riding, POC body armour and POC goggles complete the picture. For adult riders in the group, or once your child moves into senior racing, we cover the full range of POC Aero TT Helmets separately.
UK Riding Conditions and Helmet Care
Cold-weather riding throws up a practical question that doesn't come up much in product descriptions: can your child wear a thin thermal beanie or cycling cap under the helmet without wrecking the fit or compromising the Mips slip-plane? On POCito helmets with Mips, the answer is yes, carefully. A thin skull cap - not a chunky bobble hat - fits within the tolerance of the 360-degree dial without pushing the helmet up off the head or compressing the slip-plane to the point where it can't function. Add a couple of clicks of tightening on the dial and check that the front edge still sits low enough to protect the forehead. If the helmet rides noticeably high, the beanie is too thick. It's worth doing a quick check in the car before you get to the trailhead rather than adjusting mid-ride.
Maintenance is straightforward but worth doing properly, especially after muddy family rides in places like the Peak District or Glentress where the helmet takes a real battering. Remove the internal pads - most POCito models have clip-out pads - and wash them with mild soapy water. Do the same for the EPS liner foam using a damp cloth; don't submerge it. Avoid solvent-based cleaners, spray-on sanitisers, or anything with alcohol on the PC shell, as these degrade the polycarbonate over time and can cause micro-cracking that isn't always visible but compromises structural integrity. Let everything air-dry completely before reassembling. If the helmet has taken a significant knock - even if there's no visible damage - replace it. EPS foam compresses permanently on hard impact and won't protect the same way twice.
For parents comparing options across brands, Lazer and Met also offer well-regarded kids' helmets with adjustable retention systems, and they're worth a look if the POCito sizing or colourways aren't quite right for your child. That said, the fluorescent visibility options and the child-specific EPS tuning give the POCito range a clear rationale for parents who prioritise being seen on UK roads.
POC Kids Helmets FAQs
How do I choose the right size POC helmet for my child?
Use a soft tape measure to find the circumference of your child's head roughly an inch above the eyebrows - that's the number to match against POC's sizing chart in centimetres. Once you've picked the right shell size, use the 360-degree dial to fine-tune the retention as they grow. Don't size up hoping they'll grow into it; a helmet that's too large won't protect properly.
What is the difference between POCito and regular POC helmets?
POCito is POC's dedicated children's line, engineered from the ground up for younger riders rather than adapted from adult designs. The key differences are the fluorescent visibility colourways and reflective detailing for proactive accident prevention, and EPS liners with foam density specifically calibrated for the lower-speed impacts children typically experience. Regular POC helmets are tuned for adult riding speeds and impact forces.
Do POC kids helmets have Mips?
Several POCito models include Mips, most notably the POCito Omne Mips. The Mips slip-plane sits between the EPS liner and the outer shell, allowing controlled movement during angled impacts to help reduce rotational forces on the brain. Not every model in the range includes it, so check the individual product listing if Mips is a firm requirement.