Any downside to a MIPS helmet?

[leheath]

@StormyDay I don’t see anyone touting any safety equipment (helmets, air vests, or anything else) as a magical cure that will eliminate all horse riding injuries?!

MIPS is designed to help in side impact situations - I cannot think of the last time I, or anyone I’ve seen, has fallen and not had what I would consider a side impact if their head touched the ground.

I had the EQ3 for 3 years and just replaced it (after a fall) with a Lynx and the Lynx is an even better fit for me (probably due to the dial to make small adjustments), has a more flattering profile, and I think it is a little cooler. If you can find a MIPS helmet that fits, there is no downside to one with MIPS compared to one without.

Air vests were mentioned upthread. I remember when they came out and I never heard anyone mention the idea that they would replace standard body protector vests for eventers. They were an additional layer of safety and I can say from both my own experience and watching several people fall with and without them up close, they 100% are a safety breakthrough and I do look twice as someone without one on XC these days (and will at least mention the air vests if I know the person). Unfortunately, the air vest are very expensive, which is a huge barrier for many eventers. It is so great that the MIPS helmets are not significantly more expensive than non-MIPS helmets.

[Mac123]

I have a hard time remembering a fall that didn’t have some sort of twisting or side impact to it. So it seems MIPS is quite relevant in that regard. I can still hear the sound the side of my head made slamming into the ground when a horse tripped and went down with me, and it 1000% was the side of my head that hit.

For those curious about weight differences between MIPS and non-MIPS helmets, I weighed my OneK Defender and OneK MIPS. The Defender is1 lb 2.7 oz and the MIPS is 1 lb 3.2 oz. The difference in hand or on my head is negligible. (The fit feels identical too, except that my Defender is broken in).

[ecileh]

@Mac123

I have a hard time remembering a fall that didn’t have some sort of twisting or side impact to it. So it seems MIPS is quite relevant in that regard. I can still hear the sound the side of my head made slamming into the ground when a horse tripped and went down with me, and it 1000% was the side of my head that hit.

I am honestly not trying to be contradictory here, but I think it’s interesting that two people have now said they can only think of falls that have involved side impacts and I, personally, cannot think of a single fall I have taken that was what I would consider a side impact. I wonder if it’s a discipline thing?

Impacts that I remember have been front (face plant type of fall), top (rotational fall), and back (also rotational, I guess?). Most of my falls have been over jumps, though, so perhaps that affects things? The one with the top impact was when a groundhog tunnel collapsed under my horse in the ring and he and I both somersaulted–literally the first part of my body to touch the ground was the very top of my head. My two most recent falls (one was a rear that went over backwards on me, one was a spook that got me off and broke my leg) both showed mud spots on the back of my helmet and nowhere else.

I am of the generation that was taught how to fall by my instructor having us fling ourselves off our horses at all gaits (ahh…the 70s) until it was reflex to just tuck and roll when you came off–maybe that’s it? I know that younger riders are taught emergency dismounts at my barn, but it is not the same as what I was taught.

For the record, I am PRO MIPS and will be getting one when my schooling helmet needs to be replaces next (which is soon).

[Willesdon]

My aim, when riding, is not to fall off. However, I do prefer to be using the safest equipment, maintained in the best condition, at all times: it’s a high risk sport and all that. I automatically check bridle, girth, stirrup leathers etc every time I mount as the sensible thing to do. So I purchased a CO MIPS helmet within a couple of weeks of it coming onto the market because I was convinced by the concept and the research. Just better to be safe than sorry.

Curiously, it does squeak a bit.

[Mac123]

@ecileh

I am honestly not trying to be contradictory here, but I think it’s interesting that two people have now said they can only think of falls that have involved side impacts and I, personally, cannot think of a single fall I have taken that was what I would consider a side impact. I wonder if it’s a discipline thing?

Impacts that I remember have been front (face plant type of fall), top (rotational fall), and back (also rotational, I guess?). Most of my falls have been over jumps, though, so perhaps that affects things? The one with the top impact was when a groundhog tunnel collapsed under my horse in the ring and he and I both somersaulted–literally the first part of my body to touch the ground was the very top of my head. My two most recent falls (one was a rear that went over backwards on me, one was a spook that got me off and broke my leg) both showed mud spots on the back of my helmet and nowhere else.

I am of the generation that was taught how to fall by my instructor having us fling ourselves off our horses at all gaits (ahh…the 70s) until it was reflex to just tuck and roll when you came off–maybe that’s it? I know that younger riders are taught emergency dismounts at my barn, but it is not the same as what I was taught.

For the record, I am PRO MIPS and will be getting one when my schooling helmet needs to be replaces next (which is soon).

I think it goes to the fact that experiences vary, and no one person’s experiences are going to be inclusive of all! I can’t remember many, if any!, falls at jumps. I don’t come off often, but when I do it’s usually due to a pretty big naughty move on the horse’s part (or the horse tripping and going down). I do remember one fall where I was reared off and just fell off backward, but I landed on my butt and didn’t hit my head. But yeah…whenever I can remember actually hitting my head they all had some sort of twisting or side impact involved.

Though experiences do vary, it does stand, though, that at least some falls will have some sort of side impact and if MIPS helps protect against that type of damage, I’m down for it, even if it’s only 50% of falls!

ETA as I think about it I think I also tend to turn my head so I don’t face plant as a protective instinct…which is why my neck is JACKED!

[222orchids]

Well, I’m the one that started this discussion and it’s been a worthy read. As to the twisting-or-not nature of falls, what started this was the fall I had on asphalt 3 weeks ago. I landed as if I were laid flat out on my back, with the back of my head hitting the asphalt, and then I slid a good distance, leaving vertical grooves in the back of the helmet. As I hit, I had the conscious thought that my helmet had just saved my life.

I bought the one K with MIPS.

[CindyCRNA]

Yes. I can’t find one that fits. I am an impossible to fit true long oval. NOBODY makes one that fits me.

[Ponyclubrocks]

Okay, I haven’t read everything so apologies if someone else addressed this. The only non-MIPS helmet that really fits me is the Charles Owen Fian which feels like it was custom designed for my head. Can anyone tell me which MIPS helmet matches the shape of the Fian? With Covid rates so high in my area I don’t want to go anywhere to try on, and don’t want to have to order 20 helmets to find the right one.

[Xctrygirl]

@Ponyclubrocks

Okay, I haven’t read everything so apologies if someone else addressed this. The only non-MIPS helmet that really fits me is the Charles Owen Fian which feels like it was custom designed for my head. Can anyone tell me which MIPS helmet matches the shape of the Fian? With Covid rates so high in my area I don’t want to go anywhere to try on, and don’t want to have to order 20 helmets to find the right one.

Come join my MIPS group on FB and ask this question.

We have great people who give great feedback and brand reps from every company except Trauma Void.

www.facebook.com/groups/Mipshelmets

Em

[mychestnutvalentine]

FYI- looks like some over stock on helmets on ebay. Grabbed a new Charles Owen My PS this am for $89… saw Trauma void on there, Tipperary Windsor as well as non MIPS options. I’ll report back if it’s the real deal, fingers corssed.

[Jo]

@mychestnutvalentine

FYI- looks like some over stock on helmets on ebay. Grabbed a new Charles Owen My PS this am for $89… saw Trauma void on there, Tipperary Windsor as well as non MIPS options. I’ll report back if it’s the real deal, fingers corssed.

Were they all from the same seller? I only found the cheap My PS.

[mychestnutvalentine]

@Jo

Were they all from the same seller? I only found the cheap My PS.

[URL=“https://www.ebay.com/itm/Tipperary-Royal-Helmet-BIG-SALE/233749731991?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160908105057%26meid%3D588d9d818e9c488ab156d706038893c0%26pid%3D100675%26rk%3D6%26rkt%3D15%26mehot%3Dnone%26sd%3D164457394334%26itm%3D233749731991%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2380057%26brand%3DTipperary&_trksid=p2380057.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci%3A3e2d1e11-149c-11eb-91da-62ceb3d603ad|parentrq%3A51c54a3a1750a68ba65873f0fff1ec87|iid%3A1”]https://www.ebay.com/itm/Trauma-Void-EQ3-Smooth-Shell-Helmet/303703258749

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Tipperary-Royal-Helmet-BIG-SALE/233749731991?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160908105057%26meid%3D588d9d818e9c488ab156d706038893c0%26pid%3D100675%26rk%3D6%26rkt%3D15%26mehot%3Dnone%26sd%3D164457394334%26itm%3D233749731991%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2380057%26brand%3DTipperary&_trksid=p2380057.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci%3A3e2d1e11-149c-11eb-91da-62ceb3d603ad|parentrq%3A51c54a3a1750a68ba65873f0fff1ec87|iid%3A1

Looks like a drop shipper.

[vxf111]

Tipperary’s Royal helmet doesn’t have MIPS

[Blinky]

Is Samshield planning on doing one with MIPS?

[Xctrygirl]

@Blinky

Is Samshield planning on doing one with MIPS?

LOL. I should share the emails they sent when I asked them.

Essentially no. It will be a very cold day in hell before they do one.

To paraphrase what they said:

Their clients are VERY happy with their awesome helmets so they have no concerns because they make the LIGHTEST helmet there is and they sell so many. They don’t WANT/NEED to be the safest because their clients LOVE them as they are. And adding the MIPS system would cause them to weigh 25 grams more! (Insert shock and horror at the weight of 10 pennies)

Em

[pennylane16]

I’ve had the Tipperary Windsor Wide Brim helmet for close to a year now, the only downside I have found is that they do tend to be a bit on the hotter side when worn in the summer months. The helmet is wonderful otherwise, it may also depend what helmet you had prior and what the ventilation was like. I moved from the GPA Little Lady to this one as I wanted something a bit safer after having a few nasty falls. I find ventilation wise it compares to the KEP Italia helmets when the front vent is close - I had a few years ago, love the helmet just difficult to get here.

I highly recommend the Tipperary Windsory I found it to fit the best out of all the MIPS helmets I tried (Charles Owen, TraumaVoid, OneK).

[vxf111]

@pennylane16

I’ve had the Tipperary Windsor Wide Brim helmet for close to a year now, the only downside I have found is that they do tend to be a bit on the hotter side when worn in the summer months. The helmet is wonderful otherwise, it may also depend what helmet you had prior and what the ventilation was like. I moved from the GPA Little Lady to this one as I wanted something a bit safer after having a few nasty falls. I find ventilation wise it compares to the KEP Italia helmets when the front vent is close - I had a few years ago, love the helmet just difficult to get here.

I highly recommend the Tipperary Windsory I found it to fit the best out of all the MIPS helmets I tried (Charles Owen, TraumaVoid, OneK).

I now have 3 Windsors. One for each barn and one for shows. I really, really, REALLY like this helmet

[RiderWriter]

I have a TV Lynx and it fits my “normal oval” head beautifully. I love it and I love knowing I’ve got the safest option on my head. The downside is I do find it to be hot… very hot. I can immediately feel a temperature difference when I put it on. So I can’t wear it if it’s over 70 degrees, basically, or I drip sweat into my eyes so badly it’s hard to concentrate on riding.

[Llew_Wayfarer]

I’ve struggled with helmet fit for oval head too. OneK long oval was pretty good tho large too loose and medium (I rode in for years) too snug- always leaves forehead marks but at least doesn’t wobble around. After recent fall it was time to replace my helmet and weighing cost + reviews + MIPS decided in the Trauma void Lynx (w dial fit). Gotta say, the fit is lovely though it does feel heavy.

[TheJenners]

I tried a couple MIPS helmets, including one recommended by another poster who also said the CO GR8 was her perfect fit, and I had the same depth issue already mentioned. I have a tall head I guess? So I wear my helmet, replace it on time, and I wait. Two TBIs and more concussions than I can remember (haha) and I’m all about protecting the melon. But it needs to cup the head.