HighBar Kids Bike Helmet System Review
We’ve tested a lot of kids’ helmets over the years, and while helmet construction, anti-rotational systems like MIPS, and dial-adjust mechanisms have steadily improved, one part has remained surprisingly unchanged — the chin strap. Hard to adjust, harder to keep adjusted, and always a battle with the buckle (not to mention the risk of pinching your child’s chin), traditional straps are a constant source of frustration. The result? Kids who resist wearing helmets and far too many helmets that end up being worn incorrectly.
That’s why we were so intrigued by HighBar Systems, a company taking a fresh look at one of the most overlooked parts of helmet design. Instead of redesigning the shell or adding another safety liner, HighBar has completely reimagined the chin strap and the result is a total game changer for both kids and parents.
We had the chance to test an early version of a kids’ helmet equipped with the HighBar system on a variety of young riders, and it was an instant hit with both kids and parents. We are genuinely excited for this technology to make its way to market and hope to see it become a common feature across kids’ bike helmet lines.
In this review, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about the HighBar system from how it works and how it fits, to why we think it’s one of the most promising upgrades in kids’ helmet design.
(Note: While the helmet we tested will be available for sale, this review focuses primarily on the HighBar system itself, which will be featured on helmets from multiple brands.)
HighBar Helmet System for Kids
BEST FOR: Any kids helmet
ADJUSTMENT STYLE: Rear dial adjust + HighBar chin bar
BUCKLE: None!
Cons:
Why the Chin Strap Needed a Redesign
If you’ve ever tried to adjust a helmet strap on a squirmy child, you know how frustrating it can be. From uneven straps to mysterious twists that seem to appear out of nowhere, the traditional nylon webbing system looks simple but is anything but easy to use. Even when you finally get it right, one wrong tug or just a single ride later and it’s out of alignment again.
The HighBar system eliminates all that hassle by replacing the floppy webbing with a sturdy, adjustable plastic chin bar. It’s intuitive, buckle-free, and replaces the three adjustment points of a traditional system (two side sliders and a buckle) with one simple dial. The result is a clean, easy-to-use design that makes fitting a helmet faster and more accurate while keeping it securely in place for every ride.
We tested an early version of a kids’ helmet equipped with the HighBar system, and both our testers and their parents were instantly impressed. Everyone picked up on how it worked right away since the design is so intuitive and easy to use. While new technologies often take time to reach the broader market, we’re hopeful that the HighBar system will start appearing on some of our favorite models featured in our Best Kids Bike Helmets and Best Toddler Bike Helmets guides.
Why It’s a Big Deal for Safety
A helmet can only do its job if it fits properly. When it’s tilted back, sitting too low, or wobbling from side to side, its ability to protect drops significantly, just like a car seat or seat belt that isn’t positioned quite right.
The challenge is that traditional webbing systems are tricky. Most parents don’t know how to properly adjust those straps, and even when they manage to get it right, it rarely stays that way for long. A helmet can look like it fits, but if the side straps aren’t balanced or the buckle sits too far forward or back, it won’t protect as intended.
And the smallest things, carrying it by the straps, hanging it on a handlebar, or even a kid scratching their head mid-ride, can easily throw the fit off without anyone realizing it.
The HighBar system takes that uncertainty away. Each time you twist the dial, the helmet automatically resets to the correct position. There are no straps to guess at and no fit to second-guess. It’s simple, consistent, and ensures your child’s helmet is always doing what it’s meant to do—keeping them safe while making life just a little easier for you.
How the HighBar System Works
The HighBar system replaces traditional nylon straps with a ratcheting chin bar that pivots up and out of the way for easy on and off.
A small dial beneath the chin adjusts the bar’s length evenly on both sides, providing a precise fit and helping the helmet stay centered on the rider’s head.
Just like a standard strap, the bar does not sit tightly against the chin or put pressure on it. There should be about a finger’s width of space between the chin pad and your child’s chin. In our tests, the bar rested comfortably under the chin and never touched the sides of the child’s face.
To make the system work, the helmet must include a mounting bracket positioned just in front of the ear, which allows the chin bar to rotate smoothly. Because of this, existing helmets cannot be retrofitted to use the HighBar system in place of standard webbing straps. On the helmet we tested, the inside of the mounting bracket along the ear extension was lined with soft fabric to keep it comfortable against the skin.
Putting the Helmet On (and Taking It Off)
One of the best parts about the HighBar system is how quick and easy it is use!
To put the helmet on:
- Flip the chin bar up toward the helmet.
- Loosen the rear dial slightly.
- Set the helmet squarely on your child’s head.
- Lower the bar under the chin.
- Tighten the rear dial, then the chin bar dial.
To remove it, just reverse the steps — loosen, flip, lift.
No fumbling with buckles, no pinched chins, and no tangled straps. As a parent who’s adjusted hundreds of kids’ helmets, it’s honestly so much easier and less stressful as there’s only one point of adjustment to worry about (in addition to the regular dial-adjust on the rear of the helmet).
Once kids are old enough to manage the two dials on their own, they can easily put on their helmet without help. For parents, that is a big win. No more fumbling with buckles or trying to snap something under their chin while they squirm away. In fact, many kids can achieve a better fit on their own with a HighBar helmet than most parents can manage with a traditional nylon strap system.
Our younger testers especially loved that they didn’t have to line up or snap a buckle they couldn’t see. They just lowered the bar, gave the dial a quick twist, and were ready to ride.
One small issue we noticed during testing was that one of our riders wanted to wear the bar higher on their chin because it looked “cool,” like a fighter pilot helmet. If the bar is positioned too high, the helmet will not fit or protect properly, so just like with any helmet, it is important to do a quick fit check before your child rides.
Works Seamlessly with MIPS
The HighBar system only replaces the chin strap and does not interfere with MIPS or any other safety liner. In fact, it can actually help MIPS perform better by ensuring a more secure and consistent fit. Helmet vents, visors, retention systems and other helmet features are not affected by the HighBar System.
What Could Be Improved
If we could change one thing, we would love for the chin bar to make a small click or provide a gentle tactile cue when it reaches the correct position. That little confirmation would make it even easier for both kids and parents to know the bar is exactly where it should be before heading out for a ride.
We also noticed that kids with rounder or wider heads occasionally had an ear fold down while putting the helmet on. Once everything was adjusted, they were comfortable, but that first impression did make some of them hesitant about the helmet at first. This has more to do with the shape of the helmet itself rather than the HighBar system.
HighBar Kids Helmet Bottom Line
We really love this system. Getting a helmet properly fitted on a child has always been one of the most frustrating parts of bike safety, but HighBar finally makes it simple. It is faster, easier, and safer, with no straps to adjust, no buckles to fumble with, and no second-guessing whether the helmet is sitting right.
As parents who have adjusted hundreds of helmets over the years, this feels like a breath of fresh air. We are thrilled to see HighBar Systems partnering with manufacturers to bring this design to more helmets. Anything that helps parents get a perfect fit every time, without tears or pinches, is a big win in our book.
It is one of those clever ideas that makes you stop and think, why has no one done this sooner?
FTC Disclosure: Affiliate links are included in this review. No monetary compensation was provided for this review, however, the reviewed product was supplied by the manufacturer or distributor to help facilitate this review. All opinions and images are that of Two Wheeling Tots LLC. All content and images are copyrighted and should not be used or replicated in any way. View ourTerms of Use.
