Thousand Helmets | Kids, Toddler & Urban Commuter Helmets
Thousand Helmets: Common Questions
What Thousand products are available at Urban Cycling Apparel?
Urban Cycling Apparel carries the Thousand Jr. Collection — Thousand's lineup designed for children. The Thousand Jr. Toddler Helmet is made for riders ages 1 and up, fits head sizes 45 to 49cm, weighs only 220 grams, features a rear dial fit system that grows with the child, 6 active vents with interior cooling channels, 6 colorways with premium finishes, two sets of interior padding for a custom fit, a magnetic buckle, and removable reflective stickers. It is safety certified for cycling, roller skating, and skateboarding in North America (CPSC) and Europe (CE). The Thousand Jr. Kids Helmet covers older children with the same design philosophy. Matching Thousand Jr. Bicycle Bells complete the collection.
What is Thousand and what makes the brand different?
Thousand was founded after the brand's founder lost a close friend in a fatal cycling crash. The company was named with a stated goal of helping save 1,000 lives by designing helmets that people actually want to wear rather than leave in a bag. The flagship innovation is the PopLock — a patented hidden channel behind the helmet's logo mark that lets you thread a U-lock or chain lock through the helmet so you can lock it to your bike when you park. Helmets stolen while locked through the PopLock are replaced for free under Thousand's Anti-Theft Guarantee. Helmets damaged in an accident are also replaced for free. The brand is a Climate Positive business that offsets more than 100% of its annual carbon emissions. Every design decision — the magnetic buckle, vegan leather straps, moto-inspired silhouette — is aimed at making helmets people are willing to wear every day.
What makes the Thousand Jr. Toddler Helmet good for young children?
The Thousand Jr. Toddler Helmet is specifically engineered for the youngest riders starting at age 1. The rear dial fit system adjusts precisely for small heads and allows the helmet to be loosened as the child grows rather than needing replacement immediately — an important practical feature for fast-growing toddlers. The magnetic buckle means parents do not have to struggle with traditional clip buckles that can pinch small chins, and children can eventually manage it themselves more easily than a traditional clasp. At 220 grams it is lightweight enough that it does not create neck strain for small children during active use. The included removable reflective sticker pack lets kids personalize their helmet, which tends to increase willingness to wear it.
Is the Thousand Jr. helmet certified for more than just biking?
Yes. The Thousand Jr. helmets are certified for cycling, roller skating, and skateboarding in both North America (CPSC) and Europe (CE). This multi-sport certification means the same helmet covers your child for multiple activities without needing separate helmets for each one. The skate-style certification is meaningful because skateboard and scooter helmets are engineered for slightly different impact profiles than bicycle helmets alone — skate helmets typically offer better protection for multiple smaller impacts rather than a single large one, which reflects the reality of how most kids crash. A single helmet that covers bikes, scooters, skateboards, and roller skates is a genuinely practical value for active families.
How do I size a toddler bike helmet correctly?
Measure your child's head circumference with a soft tape measure around the widest part of the head — typically just above the eyebrows and ears. The Thousand Jr. Toddler Helmet fits 45 to 49cm, which covers most toddlers and young children. Do not size by age, as children's head sizes vary significantly at the same age. Once the helmet is on, it should sit level on the head, about two finger-widths above the eyebrows, without tilting back or forward. The dial fit system should be tightened until the helmet feels snug but not tight or uncomfortable. A properly fitted helmet should not rock from side to side or forward and back more than about an inch in any direction. The included extra padding set can be swapped in for a snugger fit if the helmet feels slightly large initially.
Why does Bentonville make a strong case for getting kids into helmets early?
Bentonville's trail network and cycling infrastructure make it one of the strongest family cycling cities in the country. Kids are riding pump tracks at Coler Mountain Bike Preserve, cruising the Razorback Greenway, and heading out with parents on purpose-built family-friendly trails from a very young age. Establishing helmet habits early — particularly with a helmet a child actually likes wearing, like the Thousand Jr. with its customizable stickers and approachable design — sets a safety foundation that carries forward as they progress to more technical riding. The Thousand Jr. bicycle bells are designed to match the helmets' colorways, which turns the full setup into something a young rider takes pride in rather than tolerates. Urban Cycling Apparel ships all Thousand products direct across the U.S. from its Webb City, Missouri fulfillment center.