Specialized Mio Mips Standard Buckle Toddler Bike Helmet Review

Welcome to our review of the Specialized Mio Standard Buckle Toddler Helmet.

As a parent, keeping your child safe while riding their bike is a top priority. Yes, we love to encourage everyone to learn how to ride a bike, but we also advocate bicycle safety as an essential element to becoming a skilled and complete rider.

Hands down, the most important piece of safety equipment you can invest in for your little rider is a high-quality bike helmet.

In this review, that’s exactly where we are headed (pardon the pun). We are about to take a closer look at the Mio Mips Standard Buckle toddler bike helmet, specifically designed for young children.

Our review format hasn’t changed, nor has our purpose.

We wish to provide you with the latest, unbiased, non-sugar coated and super helpful read that allows you to clearly see if the Specialized Mio Mips Standard Buckle Toddler Helmet might be a great riding partner for your child.

So, without further hesitation, let’s get riding!

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Specialized Mio Standard Buckle Specifications

Product: Specialized Mio Standard Buckle Toddler Bike Helmet Mips equipped

Recommended For: Suits toddlers 1 – 3 years approximately

Best Place to Buy / Price: specialized.com.au (AUS $90)

Size / Weight: Fits head circumference 46 – 51cm / 290g

Safety Features: Mips (Multi-directional Impact Protection System), turn dial adjust, integrated visor/sun brim, flattened rear design to accommodate bike trailer use, fixed side straps

Warranty: 2 years

Overall Rating: 9 / 10

Specialized Mio Standard Buckle Review Summary

What we really like about the Specialized Mio

• Mips technology
• rear turn dial adjust
• lightweight and comfortable fit
• unique design features: extended front visor and flattened rear

What didn’t we particularly like about the Specialized Mio

• dial adjustment is limited
• rear dial adjust can catch on child’s hair when removing helmet
• will not fit all 1 – 3-year-old toddlers (be sure to check the fit)

Specialized Mio Standard Buckle Comprehensive Review

It’s time to take an in depth look at the above-mentioned points and provide you with greater detail into the Specialized Mio.

That is, we want to provide our readers with the good stuff, that parent-essential information that allows you to confidently make an informed decision whether this helmet will be a safe and sure winner for your little rider.

What we really like about the Specialized Mio

Mips Technology

First up, let’s quickly cover exactly what Mips technology is and what it’s doing inside the Specialized Mio helmet.
Quite simply, this technology (Mips – multi-directional impact protection system) is a low-friction layer located between the EPS (expanded polystyrene) and inner helmet liner that has been proven to reduce rotational impact forces, helping protect our precious heads from impact and trauma.

The great news is, the Specialized Mio has this safety feature as standard. In addition, it’s covered with the certified safety standard sticker (see image) meeting CPSC and EN1078 safety standards appropriate to your country and rocks a toddler-orientated sizing system that complements this technology.

Without a snug fit, this technology means very little.

Rear Turn Dial Adjust

Like adjustability features on a balance bike, helmet adjustability is also a highly sought commodity.

Most helmets will have a degree of adjustability in the chin strap, strap divider, buckle and if included, rear dial adjust.

The Specialized Mio comes standard with a dial adjust, two sets of inner pads which are easy to remove/insert, fixed side strap dividers and an adjustable buckle and chin strap.

The added benefit of the rear dial adjust is that it should complete the snug fit we are after nicely, by simply turning the dial to tighten (or loosen) the secure headset fit system. An added bonus is that the dial sits quite low, making this easily accessible to find and adjust when needed.

We have found the Specialized Mio to fit our 2-to-3-year-old nicely, with the chin strap only requiring tightening and checking each use, without being problematic, and by turning the dial nice and snug.

*** Important note:

Because the Specialized Mio has fixed side strap dividers, these are unable to be adjusted up or down like other helmet designs.
A great fit should see these sit neatly under your child’s ears (think V-shape style here).

As these are unable to be adjusted, this is a crucial fit characteristic to ensure is correct for your little rider before making your purchase.

Light weight comfortable design

The Specialized Mio is a pretty funky looking helmet (particularly the brighter colored options) and has been designed with an in-mold build (basically the foam and outer shell are fused) and a complete plastic covering.

This not only adds durability to the helmet’s design, but there is more of the cool looking outer shell to see and help protect the inner foam from those little dents and wear & tear.

It also weighs a nice and light 290g, making this helmet not only comfortable, but quite easily forgettable at times when riding.

The Specialized Mio is certainly not the lightest (or heaviest) helmet available. For example the Bontrager Little Dipper Childrens Helmet (215g), Nutcase Little Nutty Mips (336g), Bell Lil Ripper Child Helmet (221g) and the Giro Scamp Child Helmet (251g) all vary slightly in weight.

Most importantly however, we highly recommend each of these helmets for their overall quality and highest of safety standards.

Unique design features: extended front visor and flattened rear

A nice design feature that we appreciate on the Specialized Mio is the size of the built-in visor.

The Specialized Mio’s built-in visor is a generous size and is one of the longer built-in visors available on the market. This is a simple, yet handy feature that provides a little extra protection for your little rider from the sun.

Visors usually come as an add-on feature that are removable and are larger than built-in options. You will find these removable visors available on helmets such as the Giro Hale Mips Youth, Giro Tremor Youth, Lazer J1 MTB Youth, and the Bell Sidetrack 2 Mips MTB Youth Helmet.

Just keep in mind that these usually (but not always) are a slightly larger size suitable for older toddlers, as they tend to be recommended for kids with approximately 52-57cm circumference.

The flattened rear section of the helmet, while more common on the market now, provides some added comfort for your child if they are traveling in a buggy (bike trailer) or car seat.

This is certainly not an essential feature, but it does communicate that Specialized are considering where these helmets will be worn and how to improve child comfort accordingly.

What didn’t we particularly like about the Specialized Mio

Dial adjust is limited

The low sitting dial-adjust, as mentioned earlier is positioned very well to allow for easy access for parents trying to find this while their toddler is most likely being distracted by more important issues.

What we have noticed is the dial will only adjust the fit by around 1 to 1.2cm max (see images below). This means that when you are fitting the helmet on your child’s head when the dial is fully opened (which is what we recommend) and then tighten by turning clockwise, you will have only 1cm of adjustment capability.

Image: Mio dial adjust – fully open

Image: Mio dial adjust fully closed

Other helmets that have a dial adjust, such as the Nutcase Little Nutty Mips, Giro Scamp, Giro Tremor Mips, and Bell Lil Ripper may provide a little more adjustability with this feature and allow a snug fit for a variety of head shapes and sizes.

This is simply another feature to be mindful of, as just as all riders are unique, so too are their little head sizes and shapes. Therefore, we highly recommend that you explore and try on several helmet options before purchasing.

Rear dial adjust can catch on child’s hair when removing

Relatedly, where you have adjustment capabilities, you have the potential to catch your little rider’s hair.

This is again something to be mindful of, particularly if your child has long hair (even if tied back and seemingly out of harm’s way, we have found our little girl’s hair to get caught in the adjustable fit-system at times.

While annoying, this is not something that an adjustable helmet can potentially avoid. Therefore, we recommend that kids with longer hair have their hair well tied back (or up, down, and sideways) to help avoid any trouble with hair catching as the helmet is being removed after their rides.

Will not fit all 1 – 3-year-old toddlers

This last point, while seemingly obvious, is more of a gentle reminder for parents that although manufacturers have come a long way in raising safety standards and creating some innovative helmet design features, such as Mips and magnetic buckles, the bottom line is that some helmets simply won’t fit some kids.

The Mio’s fixed side straps can create some best-fit issues if your child does have a longer or taller shaped head. Basically, the helmet can sit too high, and the fixed strap divider may cover your child’s ears, rather than under.

This can be an issue with the Specialized Mio due to these fixed side straps not providing any adjustment unlike other brands.

As we mentioned earlier, every child is unique, so too is their head shape. Therefore, it’s vital to shop around to ensure they are well protected with a great fitting skid lid to suit their unique little heads.

How does the Specialized Mio Mips Standard Buckle Compare to other toddler helmets?

We think it’s always useful to take a look at similar helmets out there on the market, to help you make a direct comparison and get a better overall picture whether the Specialized Mio is a product that will offer great value, comfort and safety for your little rider.

Our list isn’t extensive, but this will give you a better picture as to how the Mio stacks up with its competitors.

Product: Specialized Mio Standard Buckle Mips Equipped

Price: AUS $90 at Specialized.com/au

Feature summary: Weight (290g), standard buckle, headset SC fit-system with toddler orientated sizing (46-51cm), two sets of internal pads, dial-adjust fit system, longer built-in visor, 11 contoured air vents, fixed side straps never need adjusting and in-mold construction (inner foam and outer plastic shell are fused).

This is a high-quality product and one we definitely recommend to any toddler. Be wary that the fit is right for your child as the fixed side straps will not allow for adjustment and may not suit all head shapes well.

Product: Nutcase Little Nutty Mips Equipped

Price: USD $51.97 (was $79.95) at cambriabike.com

Feature summary: Weight (336g), toddler Sizing: (48-52cm) and youth (52-56cm), APS shell with Crumple zone EPS foam, Mips equipped, detachable visor included, Fidlock magnetic closure, 3-piece pad set, 11 contoured air vents and 15 cool designs to choose from.

Another high-quality helmet that ticks all the boxes when it comes to safety, practical features and comfort all under a cool looking exterior. These helmets do have adjustable side straps (unlike the Specialized Mio) that provide greater adjustment capability.

Overall, we highly recommended this funky looking little helmet.

Product: Bell Lil Ripper Child Helmet

Price: USD $44.95) at cambriabike.com

Feature summary: Weight (221g size T), Sizing: toddler size (45-52cm) and universal child (48-55cm), fusion in-mold polycarbonate shell, dial-adjust fit system, no visor included, no magnetic closure, 1-piece pad set, 10 air vents and 6 rocking color designs to choose from.

This helmet is a solid performer. While it complies to US CPSC safety standards, this does not include Mips technology, nor magnetic closure system and hence has a slightly cheaper price tag.

Overall, this is offers great value and safety that would suit most Lil Ripper’s riding needs well, without the high-end features available with top of the range helmets.

Product: GIRO Scamp Mips Equipped Child Helmet

Price: USD $54.95) at cambriabike.com

Feature summary: Weight (260g size S), Sizing: extra small (47-51cm) and small (51-55cm), in-mold polycarbonate construction with EPS liner, Roc Loc Jr fit system with pitch-guard buckle, dial-adjust, in-built visor, no magnetic closure, quick-dry padding, 8 air vents and a full swag of 11 color designs to choose from.

This helmet is a top-quality performer.

Both sizes comply to US CPSC safety standards and the features abound, very similar in comparison to the Specialized Mio. If this helmet fit’s your child’s unique little head, you will be more than happy with the quality and comfort this helmet provides.
Product: Cooghi P2 Kids Helmet

Price: AUS $39.99 (normally $79.99) at cooghi.com

Feature summary: Weight (226g), Sizing: designed for ages 3 – 10 years (circumference unavailable), one piece in-mold polycarbonate design with EPS foam internals, No Mips technology, dial-adjust, in-built visor, no magnetic closure, quality quick-dry padding, adjustable side straps, 12 ventilation holes, and three bright colors (yellow, pink and blue) on offer.

A surprise find.

This budget helmet shows that there are many, quality helmets now available on the market to choose from. For a budget price point, the Cooghi has a quality design, in-mold construction with excellent adjustability that allows this helmet to be recommended for a wide age-range.

Like all helmets, this won’t suit every little rider, but this is definitely worth considering if you are after a safe, budget friendly helmet.

Overall ilovetoridemybike.com Conclusion

In sum, the Specialized Mio Mips Standard Buckle Helmet is a first-class product.

The design is simple and stylish. It rocks quality safety features such as in-mold construction, Mips technology, magnetic buckle and dial-adjust systems which provide peace of mind for parents and overall comfort and safety for kids.

Specialized Mio Standard Buckle Toddler Helmet is an excellent choice for parents who want a high-quality, safe, and easy-to-use helmet for their child.

If you have any questions or would like to know more about all-thing’s kids balance bikes, feel free to leave your questions and comments below. We are here to help.
Happy riding!

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