Flying Dutchman Bikes Ltd · Co. 10644059 (England & Wales) · VAT GB264831785 · 188–192 Eversholt Street, London NW1 1BJ
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ABUS Smiley 3.0 Kids' Helmet
£35.00 GBP
Built for the child who's riding rather than pedalling, not a scaled-down adult helmet. A deep front edge gives more coverage over a young head, and at 240g it's light enough that they stop noticing it's there. The rear dial clears a seat back or box rest rather than digging in on every bump. Certified to EN 1080, the standard written for young children specifically.
Key specifications
Compatibility
What's in the box
Safety & certification
Frequently asked questions
Will it work in our child seat or cargo bike box?
This is what the Smiley is best at. Your child is sitting still for the whole journey, often leaning back against the seat, so weight and the shape of the rear cradle matter more than they would if they were pedalling themselves. At 240g it doesn't tire a small neck out on a longer school run, and the dial at the back sits high enough to clear most seat backs rather than digging in on every bump.
Headrests and box rests vary from bike to bike, though, so we'd rather check than guess. Bring the bike in and we'll fit the helmet against your actual setup — far better to sort it in the shop than discover it doesn't quite sit right on the first morning out.
Headrests and box rests vary from bike to bike, though, so we'd rather check than guess. Bring the bike in and we'll fit the helmet against your actual setup — far better to sort it in the shop than discover it doesn't quite sit right on the first morning out.
Which size should I choose, S or M?
Go by head size, not by age — children the same age can vary a surprising amount. Size S covers 45–50cm and size M covers 50–55cm. Wrap a tape measure around the head just above the eyebrows and that number tells you which one to start with.
The two sizes overlap at 50cm, so a child measuring right on that line could suit either, depending on head shape. Here's the test we use in the shop: sitting level and low on the forehead, about two fingers above the eyebrows, it shouldn't rock forward or back once the dial is snug. If it only stays put on the very tightest setting, it's too big — go a size down.
The Zoom Spin dial adjusts height as well as width, which is what lets you get it sitting level rather than tipped back on a small head. And if your child has long hair, the opening in the cradle leaves room for a ponytail or braids — usually the thing that stops a helmet sitting properly in the first place.
The two sizes overlap at 50cm, so a child measuring right on that line could suit either, depending on head shape. Here's the test we use in the shop: sitting level and low on the forehead, about two fingers above the eyebrows, it shouldn't rock forward or back once the dial is snug. If it only stays put on the very tightest setting, it's too big — go a size down.
The Zoom Spin dial adjusts height as well as width, which is what lets you get it sitting level rather than tipped back on a small head. And if your child has long hair, the opening in the cradle leaves room for a ponytail or braids — usually the thing that stops a helmet sitting properly in the first place.
What does EN 1080 mean, and how is it different from EN 1078?
EN 1080 is the European standard for helmets made for young children. EN 1078 is the standard used for older children's and adult cycle helmets. The difference that matters is the chin strap.
On an EN 1080 helmet, the strap is designed to give way under load — releasing at a force between 90 and 160 newtons — so if your child gets caught by the helmet on something, they aren't held by the strap. An EN 1078 strap is built the opposite way, to stay fastened through a serious crash.
Neither is simply the better one; they're answering different risks at different ages. EN 1080 suits the stage when the helmet goes on for the ride and just stays on afterwards — through the playground, the walk home, all of it. Once your child is old enough to be riding themselves rather than being carried, moving up to an EN 1078 helmet is the natural next step. Ask us when you think that time's coming and we'll talk you through it.
On an EN 1080 helmet, the strap is designed to give way under load — releasing at a force between 90 and 160 newtons — so if your child gets caught by the helmet on something, they aren't held by the strap. An EN 1078 strap is built the opposite way, to stay fastened through a serious crash.
Neither is simply the better one; they're answering different risks at different ages. EN 1080 suits the stage when the helmet goes on for the ride and just stays on afterwards — through the playground, the walk home, all of it. Once your child is old enough to be riding themselves rather than being carried, moving up to an EN 1078 helmet is the natural next step. Ask us when you think that time's coming and we'll talk you through it.