It's nice to see that old trusted brand names can still be relied on to deliver the quality you'd expect - the Raleigh name here still seems to mean good, solid construction and attention to detail that sadly seems to have slowly disappeared these days.
Cheap cycle helmets often feel a bit creaky, lightweight and insubstantial, but you'll immediately feel reassured that your child's head is going to be well protected as soon as you unpack this from the box.
The strapping system is well thought out and effective, with a clever tightening dial on the back which ensures the helmet is firmly secure on Junior's head. The "no pinch" system is a nice addition, although it's not foolproof and if the strap is twisted in the wrong way, or the foam padding not correctly positioned, skin on the neck can still get trapped (but most helmets don't even bother trying, so bonus points to Raleigh).
Design is always subjective, but this helmet is bold and bright and bound to excite most boys. Our little one loves just having his on, even in the house!
A LED light on the back is another nice touch. Operation is relatively easy, although it takes a bit of experimentation to work out that the light can be set to be on all the time, or flash.
With all these extra features and good build quality, you'd imagine you'd be paying a lot more for this helmet - which is why the price is one of the nicest surprises.