To a kid, a bike has always been more than a toy—it’s a tool of autonomy, a means of fun and escape, a two-wheeled ticket to adventure. That’s never been more true than now, when getting out of the house to explore the neighborhood by bike is still one of the few summer social activities with such a low risk of virus transmission.
But while kids don’t need a lot of gear to start enjoying the joy and freedom of bikes, there are a few essentials that can make pedaling a little easier, safer, and more fun. We polled our staff and the cycling parents in our lives to find out what bike stuff their kids are loving, and what gear has helped them better cruise the trails together as a family.
Here’s all the stuff that can enhance a new cyclist’s ride—so your kid will want to rack up the miles and stick with bikes for life.
Take your kid on an off-road adventure
Carry plenty of water and snacks for long rides
Don't lose your grip on bouncy terrain
Stay cool and comfortable on the trail
Protect your investment
How We Tested
Every piece of gear on this list has been evaluated and vetted by our team of test editors. We research the market, speak with product managers and designers, and use our own experiences—and that of our mini-sidekicks—to determine the best gear out there. Our team of experienced testers made sure their nuggets put in loads of miles on this stuff before soliciting feedback. We evaluated this gear on performance, price, comfort, technical features, fun and enthusiasm level, and style to come up with this list of the best bike gear for kids.
Woom 2 Bike
Pros
- Lightweight
- High-quality parts
- Great resell market
Cons
- Pricey
There’s a reason Woom Bikes has a cultish following among bike nerd parents—the Austin-based brand has a solid strategy on how to create lifelong cyclists. The key is starting kids out on high-quality bikes and gear that actually fit their bodies and needs, so learning to ride evokes more joy than frustration. In this case, high-quality also means light—Woom says its bikes are 40 percent lighter than conventional children’s bikes, which makes them far easier to ride and wrangle. My three-year-old struggled with another brand’s balance bike at age 2 but took immediately to the featherweight Woom 1, which has a low step-thru bar and hand brake. Now that she’s learning to pedal, we’ve upgraded to the Woom 2, a 14-incher for kids 3 to 5 years old that weighs just 11.2 pounds. Woom makes lightweight, brightly colored aluminum frames for kids up to 10 to 14 years old—you can’t go wrong with the brand’s high-quality bikes, gear, and apparel.
Weehoo Blast Bike Trailer
Weehoo Blast Tag Along Child Bicycle Trailer
Weehoo Blast Tag Along Child Bicycle Trailer
Pros
- Allows you to ride singletrack with a kid
- Narrow and easy to maneuver
- Quick to install
Cons
- Feels less stable as you approach 80-pound weight limit
Most bike trailers for hauling kids have a wide, two-wheel design, which makes them plenty safe and stable on the road but impossible to maneuver around tight turns or singletrack. Not so with the Weehoo Blast—the streamlined trailer has a self-aligning hitch and single wheel so that copilots ages 2 to 5 can enjoy off-road adventures and a more natural, flowy ride. If you want to take your youngster on a short bikepacking trip, the Weehoo is essential gear—just strap bags, a tent, and a sleeping bag to your bike and head for the trails. You can also buy an all-weather rain shell for wet commutes, or upgrade to the Turbo model when he or she gets old enough to want to pedal.
Louis Garneau Promax Jr Cycling Shorts
Louis Garneau Girls' Promax Jr Cycling Shorts
Pros
- Comfortable chamois
- High-quality fabric
Cons
- 7-inch inseam can be too long for some
As your kid starts tackling bigger rides, she’ll want a pair of cycling shorts that gives her more support on the saddle. These spandex shorts hit the mark for adult-level quality without an adult-gear price. The soft, cushy chamois provides plenty of padding without too much bulk. A 7-inch inseam and a compressive fit keeps the legs from riding up without feeling restrictive. Flatlock seams are smooth against the skin and prevent chafing. For kids 4 to 12, Promax Jr shorts are a great introduction to wearing dedicated cycling gear—and will make her want to ride longer in more comfort.
Camelbak Mini-MULE
CamelBak Kids' Mini M.U.L.E Hydration Pack
Pros
- Carries 50 ounces of water
- Extra stash pockets
- Safety whistle
Cons
- Bladder can be hard to access for refills
On hikes and family rides, my kid liked to take constant pulls from my Camelbak like a bored little hamster at its water bottle. Getting her a Mini-MULE not only gave me my freedom and water supply back but also made it fun and easy for her to haul her own gear. The bag’s fit is light and comfortable, with a cross-chest strap that adjusts to fit 12- to 16-inch torsos, best for kids over 4. The 1.5-liter bladder is half the size of the adult version but holds plenty of water to keep a kid hydrated on hot rides. There are several secure zipper pockets for stashing snacks and other motivational necessities. And the safety features are a great bonus—reflective accents add low-light visibility, and though I regret showing my daughter how to blast sound from the hidden whistle on the sternum strap, it’s a smart addition.
→ No matter what you need to improve in your riding life, find it with Bicycling All Access!
G-Form Youth Pro X2 Knee Pads
Pros
- Comfortable
- Good range of motion
- Protective
Cons
- Pricey
Junior mountain bikers like these knee and elbow pads because they’re lightweight and flexible—so kids get plenty of protection against falls and obstacles without feeling like they’re pedaling from inside a bulky snowsuit. SmartFlex technology in the pads allows for full joint movement, and then hardens on impact to absorb the blow. The pads are also fairly well-ventilated and stay put while riding. Just note that the sizing runs on the small side.
Woom Lokki Bike Lock
Pros
- Fabric sleeve protects paint
- Combination lock means no key to lose
Cons
After you’ve bought your kid a bike, you need to buy her a bike lock so she can continue to happily own that bike. Woom makes a 6mm steel chain lock that’s 24 inches long and burly, but not too heavy for a first grader to tote. It’s also encased in a fabric sleeve so it won’t scratch off any frame paint. A four-digit numeric code opens the lock, so there’s no need to worry about losing a key. It might not be as long or thick as an adult bike lock, but it’s enough to secure a bike to most bike racks and prevent the heartache of theft.
Fox Ranger DriRelease Jersey
Pros
- Comfy
- Sweat-wicking
Cons
- None of the rear pockets of a jersey
Fox makes top-notch apparel for little trail shredders, like this soft shirt with the relaxed fit of a tee and wicking powers of a cycling jersey. The polyester-cotton blend DriRelease fabric pulls sweat away from the body and dries quickly, so your young rider stays comfortable and happy on hot days. The casual, T-shirt style is also a hit, whether you go with the red, blue, or black logo version. The jersey comes in four youth sizes to fit kids ages 6 to 14.
Giro Kids Gloves
Pros
- Durable
- Solid hand protection
Cons
- They run small
Bike gloves are useful for lightly cushioning your palms while you bounce around on rough terrain, or for maintaining solid grip when your hands get sweaty. And let’s be real: They’re also a crucial line of defense when your nose starts to run. Kids love these mountain biking gloves from Giro, which have all the style and protection of the grown-up versions but in a sized-down, easy-to-pull-on fit. Comfy, second-skin mesh keeps the gloves from getting too hot, while the suede thumb creates a soft “wiping surface” for all that gnarly sweat and snot. Light padding in the palm protects their hands from blisters. Like their adult counterparts, these mini-gloves are touchscreen-friendly—and stylish as all heck.
Thule Yepp Maxi
Pros
- Easy to mount
- Available in rack- and frame-mounted versions
- Well-ventilated
Cons
Want to bring your kiddo on all your bike adventures? You won’t find a better kids seat than this high-quality model from Thule, which comes in two lightweight, easy-to-install versions—one that mounts to your frame, and one that mounts to a bike rack. The five-point harness is safe, secure from little hands, and easy to adjust to fit kids from around age 1 to up to 40 pounds. The foam seat material is comfortable, easy to clean, and well-ventilated from the heat.
Pearl Izumi Junior Canyon Shorts
Pros
- Comfortable chamois liner
- Elastic waist
- Pockets
Cons
Pearl took the style and performance quality of its adult mountain-biking shorts and better adapted them for juniors, with a sewn-in mesh liner and supportive but breathable chamois. The shorts have a comfortable elastic waist and stretchy fit that moves with a kid’s body without being loose or baggy. Two front hand pockets and a seven-inch inseam keep the vibe casual. But they’re still ultra-durable enough for some serious shredding (and also come with a lifetime warranty).
Aerotech Designs Jersey
Pros
- Simple and inexpensive
- Pockets
Cons
These classic jerseys are perfect for a kid’s first kit—they’re made of a lightweight, comfortable tech fabric in bright colors with no patterns or logos, and they’re inexpensive enough that you can stock up for everyday riding. A seven-inch zipper lets kids pull the shirt on easily and vent a little heat; three rear pockets have capacity for snacks and a small pump.
Cleary Owl
Pros
- Easy introduction to shifting
- Low-maintenance components
Cons
This 20-inch kids bike is ready for both wild weekend adventures and everyday elementary school commutes. It’s nearly as lightweight and easy-to-ride as Cleary’s singlespeed Owl, but it has an internally geared Sturmey Archer 3-speed hub, so kids can tackle more terrain and gain an early introduction to shifting without the need for a lot of bike maintenance. All of the components have been thoughtfully considered to help young kids get used to riding: It’s got an alloy steel frame with kid-friendly geometry, Tektro junior v-brakes for secure stopping, easy-to-use trigger shifters, and thick, 1.9-inch tires on solidly built wheels for good ground contact.
