Getting kids into mountain biking is one of the best things you can do for them. Getting them the right protective gear is the part that makes sure they keep doing it. Young riders crash differently than adults — they're closer to the ground, lighter, and often less aware of consequences — which means the gear needs to fit right, be comfortable enough that they'll actually wear it, and protect them when things go sideways.
Here's what Kali makes for young riders, and how to think about kitting them out.
Helmets
A properly fitting helmet is non-negotiable. For kids, fit is even more critical than it is for adults — a helmet that's too big will shift on impact and won't protect the way it's designed to. Measure your child's head before purchasing and check the size chart for each specific model.
- Chakra Child — $40: Designed for groms from one year old and up. Kali's entry point for the youngest riders, with a secure fit and age-appropriate sizing.
- Chakra Child Lighted — $50: The Chakra Child with a built-in light for added visibility — a smart addition for kids who ride in variable light conditions.
- Chakra Youth — $50: Safe, secure, and styled for older kids stepping up from the child sizing.
- Pace Youth — $75: An easy, everyday helmet for young riders ready for more trail time.
- Zoka Youth — $120: A full-face option for young riders pushing into more technical terrain. Now with Kali's Low Density Layer for enhanced protection.
- Maya Full Face Child — $155: Convertible, lightweight, and top-rated for safety. A serious full-face option for kids who are ready for the bike park or technical trails.
Gloves
Kids' gloves protect hands in falls, improve grip on smaller bars, and keep young riders comfortable on longer rides. Kali's youth glove delivers the same construction quality as the adult lineup in a size that actually fits.
- Laguna Youth Glove — $27: Lightweight, medium-duty trail glove with touchscreen-compatible fingers and silicone grip print. Everything a young rider needs, nothing they don't.
Pads
For kids working on new terrain or riding the bike park, knee pads significantly reduce the fear of falling — which means they try more things and progress faster. Start with knees; add elbows as they push into more technical features.
- Mission 2.0 Youth Knee Guards — $77: The same all-day trail protection as the adult Mission 2.0, sized specifically for younger riders. Built to handle real trail riding, not just cruising.
Eyewear
Young riders' eyes need protection from debris, UV, and trail dust just as much as adults' — and fit matters more than most parents expect. We recommend the Julbo Intensity Junior: youth-specific, UV400 protected, and backed by a lifetime guarantee so breakage isn't a crisis. When fitting, always try them with the helmet on — kids' helmets can sit lower on smaller faces, causing taller frames to press into the nose bridge, and oversized frames will slip the moment they start sweating. Youth-specific sizing, like the Julbo Intensity Junior, is designed to stay put where adult frames won't.
How to Think About Kitting Out a Young Rider
Start with the helmet — always. Then add gloves, which are low-cost and make an immediate difference in confidence and crash outcome. Knee pads come next as the terrain gets more demanding. Elbow pads and a full-face helmet follow naturally as your kid starts pushing into bike park laps, drops, and technical singletrack.
Resist the temptation to buy gear they'll grow into. A helmet that's too big is worse than no helmet in a crash. Size accurately, check the fit before every season, and replace anything that's been in a real impact.
When to replace your kid's helmet →
How to fit a mountain bike helmet →
how to fit knee pads
Shop all Kali protective gear →
