woom Helmet READY Review: The Best Kids Helmet we’ve Ever Tested
The woom helmet was already an exceptional choice, but woom found even more ways to make it better. The result? The latest version—the woom READY—is an easy-to-use, foolproof helmet that both you and your child will love.
If you’ve ever struggled with fitting or securing your child’s helmet properly, the woom READY is a game-changer. Designed with safety, comfort, and fit as top priorities, it eliminates the confusion around helmet adjustments, making it effortless to use. With a secure fit, excellent ventilation, and top-tier protection, it delivers everything a great helmet should.
From fit to features, this review covers everything you need to know about the new woom READY helmet.
woom READY Helmet
MSRP: $79, $99 w/ LED light
BEST FOR: Those wanting an easy to use and adjust no-nonsense helmet.
SIZES: XS (46-50cm), S (50-53cm), M (53-57cm)
ADJUSTMENT STYLE: Dial adjust
BUCKLE: Unique Magnetic Snap-and-Go
ADDITIONAL SPECIFICATIONS
VENTS: 12 large vents
STRAPS: Fix ear loops with reflective cord
VISOR: Built-in protective foam
WEIGHT: XS: 280g, S: 290g, M: 300g
Cons:
woom READY Helmet: What We Learned from Testing
After testing hundreds of helmets over the years, we can confidently say that the woom READY is exceptional and one of the best helmets we’ve ever tested. While I impressed right out of the box, my love of the READY grew with every child who tried it on. Unlike most helmets that fit some heads well but sit awkwardly on others, the woom READY provided a consistently great fit across all seven kids we tested.
Learning about the helmet’s development made it clear why. Instead of starting with a standard mold and relying on multiple adjustment features, woom focused on perfecting the shape from the beginning. By scanning thousands of kids’ heads, they created a design that naturally contours to a child’s head, minimizing the need for frequent adjustments. The result? A helmet that’s easy to use while offering one of the best, most secure fits across a wide range of kids.
But the woom READY isn’t just about fit—it has plenty more to offer. Let’s dive in
Extended Coverage for a Safer Fit
All kids’ helmets sold in the U.S. must pass CPSC impact testing, but those tests assume a perfectly fitted helmet. In reality, many kids’ helmets aren’t worn correctly—often sitting too far back, too far forward, or tilted to one side, reducing their effectiveness in a crash.
To address this, woom designed the READY helmet to stay securely in place, limiting movement on the head to ensure a proper fit. Its extended rear and side coverage helps prevent excessive shifting. If the helmet does tilt, the base of the helmet makes contact with the head, preventing further tilting and keeping key areas protected. This extended coverage not only minimizes helmet movement, but also provides additional protection in the event of an impact.
In the image below, you can see how much further down the woom READY helmet sits on this two-year-old compared to the Giro Scamp MIPS II of the same size. The woom READY extends lower on the sides, coming closer to the child’s ears and reaching almost level with the bottom of the ear, providing greater side protection.
From the back, the difference is even more noticeable. This added coverage keeps the helmet in place and offers increased protection. Even if the helmet shifts slightly, key impact zones remain protected.
The woom READY’s design also offers added protection for the forehead and face. With its deeper mold, the helmet sits lower on the forehead, providing better coverage. Additionally, the extended visor reaches further past the face, helping to shield the nose from impact (more on this below).
Age-Specific Fit: Designed for Growing Kids
“He LOVES this helmet and even wants to wear it while watching his shows!” It’s not every day that kids ask to wear a helmet, but with the READY, that was exactly the case.
To make the READY as comfortable as possible, woom focused on dialing in the fit. Instead of simply scaling a single mold up or down for different sizes, woom scanned over 1,000 kids’ heads to create age-specific helmet molds. Each size (XS, S, and M) was designed with a unique shape based on real head scans, resulting in a more precise fit. The result? A helmet with fewer pressure points, a more consistent fit, and extended comfort that kids actually enjoy wearing.
CPSC Certification
To better accommodate younger riders, woom also designed the XS and S sizes to be CPSC-certified for ages 1+, unlike most helmets that are only certified for ages 5+. The larger M size is certified for age 5+. If your child’s head measures over 50 cm but they are under age 5, don’t hesitate to size up—a proper fit is more important than the CPSC age rating.
NOTE: The woom READY is CPSC-certified for use with bicycles and scooters but not dual-certified for skateboarding in the U.S. While the same helmet is sold in Europe with EN 1078 certification for both biking and skateboarding, this standard is less rigorous than the U.S. ASTM F1492 certification required for skateboard helmets. As a result, the READY is certified for skateboarding in Europe but not in the U.S.
Adjustability: Less is MORE!
Many kids’ helmets rely on multiple adjustment points for a secure fit, but thanks to the READY’s well-designed shape, it only requires two:
1. Dial-Adjust System
The dial adjust knob, now stronger and more durable than previous versions, allows for quick and easy adjustments. With a simple turn of the dial-adjust knob, the helmet’s internal cage tightens around the head, ensuring it stays properly centered without slipping or shifting during rides.
Internal Adjustment Cage
Unlike many helmets that only push the rear padding forward when tightened, the READY’s internal adjustment cage secures the helmet in two ways. As the dial is turned, the cage not only moves forward on the back of the head, it also extends inward from the sides, providing a more even and stable fit.
2. Chin Strap Adjustment
The second point of adjustment is the chin strap length, which ensures the buckle is properly positioned beneath the chin for a secure and comfortable fit.
Adjusting the chin strap is a standard feature on all helmets, but it’s significantly easier on the woom READY because you don’t have to also adjust the ear straps.
Why? Because there’s nothing to adjust! The woom READY features fixed ear loops that are perfectly positioned and cannot be changed. This eliminates one of the most frustrating parts of helmet adjustments, making it easier and faster to get the perfect fit every time.
How Does This Differ from Other Helmets?
Most helmets rely on adjustable ear straps to prevent the helmet from shifting forward or backward on the head, but for them to be effective, they must be precisely adjusted. If not properly set, the helmet can still shift out of place, reducing its effectiveness. These adjustable ear straps can be difficult to fine-tune, easily come out of adjustment, and many parents don’t even realize they need to be adjusted in the first place.
The woom READY eliminates this issue by designing the helmet shape itself to prevent tilting, making adjustable ear straps unnecessary. Instead, the straps are simplified into fixed-length loops that primarily serve as attachment points for the chin strap.
Made from soft, non-irritating cords, the ear loops ensure a comfortable fit without rubbing against the skin. Additionally, the loops on the new READY helmet are reflective, enhancing visibility and improving safety in low-light conditions.
Unique Magnetic Snap-and-Go Buckle
For the updated helmet, woom also developed a new magnetic buckle for the chin strap. This redesigned buckle speeds up and simplifies the buckling process while remaining essentially pinch-free. Once aligned, the magnets automatically snap the buckle into place, making fastening effortless for both parents and kids.
While the previous version of the woom helmet featured a FidLock buckle—a great design still found on other helmets we recommend—the new buckle is just as easy to fasten but even easier for older kids to remove on their own. In our testing, children ages 1-3, however, were unable to unbuckle it.
To release the buckle, simply push in on the red tab and then pull outward on the buckle. Since the buckle sits under the chin, older kids can easily undo it by feel alone, without needing to see the tab—making the process quick, simple, and frustration-free.
Protective Visor
Helmets don’t just protect the head—they can also protect the face. The visor on the woom READY serves a dual purpose, shielding the eyes from the sun while providing an extra layer of protection in a face-first impact. Since the visor extends past the nose, it is designed to hit the ground before the child’s face, helping to reduce facial injuries in the event of a fall.
With its longer and wider shape, the new visor provides enhanced face protection and better sun coverage. The visor also now extends around the sides of the helmet, offering additional protection in case of side impacts. The difference can be seen in the comparison images of the new woom helmet on the left versus the older model on the right.
Unlike traditional helmet foam, the EPP foam in the visor is designed to expand back to its original shape after compression, helping to maintain the helmet’s appearance while also improving its long-term durability. In the comparison below, you can see the small dings and dents in the visor of the Giro Scamp II on the right (made of traditional helmet foam), while the woom READY on the left remains free of visible damage.
The EPP foam on the woom READY’s visor prevents these dings from occurring, keeping the helmet looking new for longer. Additionally, EPP foam is used along the entire base of the helmet, protecting against dents and scuffs around the helmet’s perimeter.
Outer Shell
The woom READY helmet features an upgraded matte-finish outer shell, with black accents replacing the previous white details for a more modern look. More than just a cosmetic change, the new shell is stronger and more durable than the previous woom helmet, improving its resistance to scratches and dents.
Airflow
To maximize ventilation, the helmet is designed with 12 large air vents that work alongside internal air channels molded into the inside of the helmet, just above the child’s head. This system directs airflow over the head and out the rear of the helmet, helping keep kids cool and comfortable during rides.
A key improvement is the wider center channel, known as the Cranial Ridge. The cranial ridge is the widest and deepest recessed airflow channel along the inside of top of helmet. This recessed ridge not only enhances airflow but also ensures that the helmet’s foam does not rest on the fontanelle (soft spot) of young toddler, providing greater comfort and protection.
All sizes feature this large center channel inset into the foam of the helmet, but the XS size places greater emphasis on this design to avoid pressure on the soft spot of younger children’s skulls. The fontanel typically closes by age two, making this an important consideration for toddlers.
Reflectivity and Optional Light
To help ensure maximum visibility, the woom READY helmet includes several reflective elements. The woom logo on the side, the ear loop cords, and a logo on the rear dial adjuster all help increase visibility in low-light conditions, making it easier for drivers and other cyclists to see your child while riding.
For additional visibility, the READY can also be purchased with an optional LED light. The light easily presses into the largest air vent at the top of the helmet—no tools required—providing extra safety during early morning or evening rides.
LED Light Features
- Three settings: Continuous, flashing, and low-power ECO pulse
- Automatic low-power mode: Activates when the battery drops below 10%
- Easy operation: Press and hold the light to turn it on, then tap to switch between modes
- Battery life: 6 to 10 hours, depending on the setting
The optional LED light is a great addition for parents looking to enhance their child’s visibility and add an extra layer of safety on the road. If visibility is one of your main concerns, we highly recommend checking out the Unit 1 Sparky helmet which features a large rear LED panel.
woom READY vs. Giro Scamp MIPS
Modern helmets come with a variety of safety features, including MIPS (Multidirectional Impact Protection System), which is designed to reduce rotational forces during angled impacts—a common occurrence in bike crashes. The Giro Scamp is available with MIPS, while the woom READY is not. But does that automatically make the Scamp a better helmet?
There is no conclusive scientific data comparing these two helmets, so it’s impossible to determine which offers superior protection. However, what is well established is that a properly fitted helmet always protects better than one that doesn’t. Based on our testing, especially with smaller helmets for toddlers (who frequently tug on their helmets), we found that the extended coverage on the woom READY helps keep the helmet properly positioned.
If it fits within your budget, we’d recommend the woom READY over the Giro Scamp II MIPS due to its superior fit and coverage. However, if the woom READY is a stretch, the Giro Scamp II —MIPS or not—is still a great choice.
If you live in an area with a lot of bugs, also keep in mind that the woom READY does not have bug mesh over the front vents, while the Giro Scamp II does. If you’re concerned about bugs flying into the helmet during a ride, the Scamp might be the better option.
woom Helmet vs. woom READY
For a short time, both the original woom helmet and the updated woom READY will be available. So, which one should you choose?
If the woom READY is within your budget, it’s the better option, offering an improved fit, enhanced adjustability, and additional safety features. However, if the woom READY is out of reach, the original woom helmet is still an excellent choice. It continues to provide a great fit, extended coverage, and better protection than many other kids’ helmets on the market.
Either way, you can’t go wrong with a well-designed, properly fitting helmet.
Bottom Line: Is the woom READY Helmet Worth It?
The woom READY is one of the best kids’ helmets available, offering a combination of ease of use, safety, and comfort that sets it apart.
What Makes It Stand Out?
- A superior fit with minimal adjustments, thanks to its well-designed shape
- Extended head protection with a secure, stay-in-place design
- A frustration-free magnetic buckle and fixed ear straps for hassle-free use
- Excellent ventilation with 12 air vents and internal airflow channels for a cool, comfortable ride
- Optional LED light for increased visibility in low-light conditions
While it’s more expensive than some options, the simplicity, comfort, and extra safety features make it well worth the investment—especially for parents looking for a helmet that always fits correctly with minimal fuss.
If you want a helmet that makes safety effortless, the woom READY is a top choice.
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 our Terms of Use.
