WOW Full Face Motorcycle Helmet Review: A Parent’s Guide to Youth Rider Safety

There’s a unique mix of pride and anxiety that comes with seeing your child throw a leg over their first motorcycle, dirt bike, or ATV. You’re thrilled for their newfound freedom and the skills they’re building, but a voice in the back of your head is constantly whispering, “Are they safe?” My son recently started getting serious about riding his mini bike around our property, and that voice got a lot louder. The search for proper gear began, and I quickly discovered a frustrating reality: finding a high-quality, safe, and properly fitting full-face helmet for a child isn’t as simple as buying a scaled-down adult model. The proportions are different, weight is a bigger factor, and a helmet that’s too heavy or uncomfortable is a helmet that won’t be worn. That’s what led me to the WOW Full Face Motorcycle Helmet, a product specifically designed to bridge this crucial gap for young riders.

What to Consider Before Buying a Youth Motorcycle Helmet

A Motorcycle & Powersports Helmet, especially one for a child, is more than just an item; it’s the single most important piece of safety equipment you will ever purchase for them. It’s a key solution for preventing catastrophic head injuries in the event of an accident, whether on a paved street, a dirt track, or a BMX park. Its main benefits are impact absorption, abrasion resistance, and protection from the elements like wind, debris, and insects. A proper helmet allows a young rider to build confidence while giving you, the parent, invaluable peace of mind, knowing their head is protected by certified gear.

The ideal customer for this type of product is a parent or guardian of a child or youth involved in powersports. This includes street biking, motocross (MX), BMX, ATV riding, or even go-karting. They need a helmet that is lightweight enough for a child’s neck muscles but doesn’t compromise on rigorous safety standards like DOT certification. Conversely, this helmet might not be suitable for adults, as the sizing and design are youth-specific. It’s also not intended for professional, high-speed racing, where more advanced (and significantly more expensive) helmets with features like carbon fiber shells and advanced ventilation systems are required. For those riders, or for adults seeking more feature-rich options, exploring different helmet categories is a better path.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Fit: This is non-negotiable. A helmet that is too loose can shift or even come off during an impact, rendering it useless. A helmet that is too tight will cause painful pressure points and headaches, ensuring your child will refuse to wear it. Always measure your child’s head circumference with a soft tape measure just above the eyebrows and ears, and compare it meticulously to the manufacturer’s sizing chart. As one user noted, the WOW Full Face Motorcycle Helmet can run a bit large, which might be perfect for giving a growing child some room, but it’s critical to start with the right size.
• Safety & Certification: Performance for a helmet isn’t about speed; it’s about protection. Look for, at a minimum, the “DOT” sticker on the back. This signifies that the helmet meets the Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218 (FMVSS 218). This is a legal requirement for riding on public roads in the US and a strong indicator of the helmet’s ability to withstand impact and penetration, and for the retention system (chin strap) to hold fast.
• Materials & Durability: Most entry-level and youth helmets, including this one, use a thermoplastic alloy shell. This material offers an excellent balance of durability, impact resistance, and light weight, which is crucial for reducing neck fatigue in younger riders. More expensive helmets may use fiberglass or carbon fiber composites, which are lighter and stronger but come at a much higher price point that is often unnecessary for youth recreational riding.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: Kids are messy. A helmet with removable and washable padding is a lifesaver. It allows you to easily clean out sweat, dirt, and grime, keeping the helmet hygienic and comfortable for your child. Also, consider the chin strap and visor mechanisms. They should be simple enough for a child to operate (with supervision) but secure enough to stay put while riding.

Choosing the right helmet is the first step in a lifelong journey of safe riding. It sets the standard for safety and ensures that fun doesn’t come at the cost of protection.

While the WOW Full Face Motorcycle Helmet is an excellent choice for young riders, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition in different categories. For a broader look at all the top models for adults, including those with advanced features, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions and Key Features of the WOW Full Face Motorcycle Helmet

Pulling the WOW Full Face Motorcycle Helmet from its box, the first thing we noticed was its impressive finish and light weight. We had the matte black version, and the coating was smooth, even, and felt surprisingly premium for its price point. It didn’t feel like a cheap toy; it felt like a serious piece of protective equipment. The manufacturer, Power Gear Motorsports, claims a light-weight thermoplastic alloy shell, and holding it in our hands, we can confirm it feels significantly lighter than a standard adult full-face helmet. This is a critical feature, as a heavy helmet can cause rapid neck fatigue in a child, making them less focused and less safe.

The aerodynamic shape is sleek and modern, giving it what one young user described as a “cool look.” The padding inside felt plush and substantial, and the fact that it’s fully removable and washable is a huge plus for any parent. The visor was clear, distortion-free, and lifted with a series of positive clicks. The overall impression is that of a thoughtfully designed helmet that prioritizes the core essentials: certified safety, a lightweight build, and a cool aesthetic that kids will actually want to wear.

A Deep Dive into the WOW Full Face Motorcycle Helmet’s Performance

A helmet’s true worth isn’t in its looks, but in how it performs across the crucial metrics of safety, comfort, and usability. We put the WOW Full Face Motorcycle Helmet through its paces not in a lab, but in the real world where kids ride, fall, and get dirty. Our analysis focuses on what matters most to a parent and a young rider.

Safety First: Deconstructing the DOT-Approved Shell

The foundation of any helmet is its ability to protect the wearer’s head. The WOW helmet is built around a durable, aerodynamic thermoplastic alloy shell. While not as exotic as fiberglass or carbon fiber, thermoplastic is a fantastic material for this application. It allows for a lightweight construction while possessing the strength and rigidity needed to pass the rigorous tests of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218. The DOT certification isn’t just a sticker; it’s a guarantee that the helmet has been subjected to and passed tests for impact attenuation (how well it absorbs a crash force), penetration resistance (how well it resists sharp objects), and retention system strength (ensuring the strap holds). Inside this hard outer shell is a thick layer of expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam. This is the critical component that crushes and deforms upon impact, absorbing and distributing the dangerous energy before it can reach the skull. When we inspected the helmet, the EPS liner was thick and evenly distributed, with channels cut into it to facilitate airflow from the vents. For a parent, this visible commitment to the core principles of helmet safety is the most important feature, and the WOW helmet delivers on this foundational promise.

Comfort and Fit for Hours of Riding Fun

If a helmet isn’t comfortable, it becomes a dangerous distraction. We found the internal padding of the WOW helmet to be surprisingly plush and soft. The fabric wicks moisture well, which is a blessing during warmer days. The true genius here is the fully removable and washable liner. After a particularly dusty day of riding, we were able to pop out the cheek pads and main liner in under a minute, hand wash them, and let them air dry. They clicked back into place just as easily, making the helmet fresh and ready for the next adventure. This feature alone makes it a far superior choice over helmets with fixed liners. Regarding fit, our experience mirrored that of some users: the sizing is a little generous. Our tester, who was at the low end of the Small size range (49cm), found it slightly roomy. However, the chin strap cinched down securely, and the helmet didn’t exhibit any excessive movement. For many parents, this “room to grow” aspect can be a positive, as one user noted it “will last him awhile.” The key is to ensure the helmet is snug enough not to rotate freely on the head. The chin strap uses a standard quick-release buckle, which is easy for adults to operate and secure enough that it won’t come undone accidentally.

Real-World Performance: Ventilation and Aerodynamics

A stuffy helmet can quickly lead to an overheated and unhappy rider. The WOW helmet features a simple but effective ventilation system. There’s a large, switch-operated vent on the chin bar and another on the top of the head. These “3 position ventilation channels” can be opened or closed with a gloved hand. When open, they do a respectable job of channeling air through the helmet, flowing through the channels in the EPS liner and exiting out the back. This airflow is essential for preventing the visor from fogging up on cool mornings and for keeping the rider’s head cool under the sun. At the speeds a young rider is likely to travel, the aerodynamic shape of the helmet also plays a role. It’s designed to cut through the air cleanly, which helps prevent the wind from “buffeting” or pushing the rider’s head around. This reduces strain on their neck muscles, allowing them to ride for longer periods in greater comfort. It’s a subtle feature, but one that demonstrates a thoughtful approach to youth-specific design challenges.

The Potential Achilles’ Heel: A Close Look at the Visor Hardware

In any product, especially one built to an aggressive price point, there are trade-offs. For the WOW Full Face Motorcycle Helmet, this trade-off appears to be in the visor mechanism. The visor itself is excellent—it’s optically clear with a UV protective coating and provides a wide field of view. However, the hardware that allows it to pivot is made of plastic. During our testing, the mechanism worked as intended, holding the visor securely in several positions. Yet, we must acknowledge the feedback from a user who reported that “the spring and clip for visor to pivot broke as soon as I put it on my daughters head.” Looking closely at the small plastic tabs and spring, we can see how this could be a point of failure if handled roughly or if there’s a manufacturing inconsistency. While our unit has held up well, this is a valid concern for long-term durability. It serves as a reminder that this is an entry-level helmet, and some components may not have the robust, over-engineered feel of a premium brand. For the price, it’s a compromise many may be willing to make, but it’s one to be aware of.

What Other Users Are Saying

Our findings align closely with the general sentiment from other riders and parents. The positive feedback consistently highlights the helmet’s core strengths. One user summed it up perfectly, saying it has a “cool look to nice viser and is comfortable.” Another parent confirmed its kid-appeal, stating their son “absolutely loves it.” This appeal is critical; a helmet your child is excited to wear is a helmet that will be protecting them.

On the more critical side, the feedback provides valuable context. The comment that it’s “kind of big but will last him awhile” reinforces our experience with the generous sizing, which can be seen as either a pro or a con depending on your needs. The most significant point of criticism comes from the user whose visor hardware broke immediately. This highlights our own assessment of the visor mechanism as the helmet’s most likely weak point and is crucial information for any potential buyer to consider. This feedback paints a clear picture: it’s a well-loved, comfortable, and stylish helmet that provides certified safety, with a question mark on the long-term durability of its smaller moving parts.

Head-to-Head: The WOW Full Face Motorcycle Helmet vs. The Competition

The WOW Full Face Motorcycle Helmet occupies a very competitive space. To understand its value, it’s essential to see how it stacks up against some popular alternatives, each catering to a slightly different rider.

1. Oumurs Adult ATV Dirt Bike Helmet

The Oumurs helmet package is a compelling alternative for those focused purely on off-road riding. Its biggest selling point is that it’s a complete kit, including the helmet, goggles, gloves, and a face mask. This offers incredible value for someone starting from scratch. However, the Oumurs is styled as a traditional motocross helmet, meaning it has an open face area requiring goggles and a large peak visor. While excellent for deflecting dirt, this design is less aerodynamic and protective from wind on the street compared to the WOW’s integrated full-face visor. If your child’s riding is exclusively on trails and dirt tracks, the Oumurs kit is a fantastic all-in-one solution. For any kind of street or all-weather use, the enclosed design of the WOW helmet is superior.

2. ILM Adult Dirt Bike Helmet

The ILM Adult Dirt Bike Helmet is a direct competitor but, as its name suggests, is sized for adults. This makes it a great next step for a teenager who has outgrown youth sizing but isn’t ready for a high-end adult helmet. Like the Oumurs, it features classic motocross styling with a prominent peak and an open face that requires separate goggles. It boasts similar DOT certification and a lightweight shell. The primary differentiator here is the target audience. The WOW helmet is specifically designed and proportioned for the smaller frames of children and young teens. The ILM is the logical alternative for older riders or those with larger head sizes who prefer the off-road aesthetic over the street-oriented design of the WOW helmet.

3. 1Storm HF802 Dual Sport Motorcycle Helmet

The 1Storm HF802 represents a step up in features and versatility, blurring the line between street and dirt. As a “dual sport” helmet, it combines features from both worlds: a full-face design with a traditional clear visor, plus an integrated drop-down sun visor and an off-road style peak. This makes it incredibly adaptable for riding in various conditions. However, this added complexity and feature set comes with more weight and a higher price point. For a young, first-time rider, the simplicity and lighter weight of the WOW Full Face Motorcycle Helmet is often a better choice. The 1Storm is a better option for a more experienced rider who tackles both on-road and off-road environments and wants a single helmet to do it all.

Our Final Verdict: Is the WOW Full Face Motorcycle Helmet the Right Choice for Your Young Rider?

After extensive hands-on evaluation and considering real-world user feedback, we can confidently recommend the WOW Full Face Motorcycle Helmet for a specific and important audience: parents seeking a safe, affordable, and stylish first helmet for their child. Its greatest strength lies in its commitment to the fundamentals. It delivers on the non-negotiable promise of DOT-certified safety in a package that is lightweight and comfortable for a young person to wear for extended periods. The removable liner is a practical, parent-friendly feature that adds significant long-term value.

Its primary weakness, as we and other users have identified, is the potential fragility of the plastic visor hardware. This is a noticeable trade-off for its accessible price. However, for recreational use in street biking, BMX, or light trail riding, it represents an outstanding balance of protection and price. It provides the peace of mind that comes from certified gear without the financial sting of a premium adult helmet. If you’re looking for an entry-level helmet that gets the safety and comfort essentials right for your young rider, the WOW Full Face Motorcycle Helmet is an exceptional value that’s hard to ignore.