Helmet Survey Form

[Xctrygirl]

Hi Everyone,

As many of you know I have created and manage the MIPS Protetion System Equestrian Helmets group over on Facebook. That’s been a labor of love for years to get the word out about the safety advances in helmets and the advancement of things like MIPS, and other slip plane technologies and material advancements.

As part of this I have worked directly with the helmet brands to incorporate having brand reps available in the group for helmet specific questions, we have aligned with tack shops that do more for helmet fittings, purchases etc and we are always on the look out for ways to improve our group and make sure that helmet brands hear feedback from riders.

As another part of having this group I made introductions with the folks who make MIPS and the researchers at Virginia Tech. More conversations have gone on with these folks over the time since the research for the helmet study started and once the results of the first version were released. I have been to Blacksburg and walked around the testing lab and seen helmets being tested, as well as the coolest NERF toy collection (Also in for testing) but I digress.

I have created the survey below to try to get a pulse of folks riding and wearing helmets to see 1) how we are doing with things and to also see if we can possibly extrapolate a VENN diagram (Metaphorically) about how your previous model helmet lends to your current model helmet in terms of shapes and likelihood that if rider X used to wear an AYR8, than they might then fit in the Tipperary Devon MIPS. It may or may not be possible but I don’t know until I try.

I am asking for anyone who wants to come on over and fill out the survey.

Results are NOT public but once I am done collecting data I will make a summary power point to share to all participants and it will be linked back here and on the FB group. But your personal info and thoughts will not be shared.

Link to survey:

Helmet Survey Form - June 2025

I want to thank everyone who has been a part of the MIPS group. We’re (Amazingly) at 5400 members now. That’s just really astounding for me as someone who had too many concussions and was just trying to make it so ONE more rider would make it home after a bad fall on their head with the knowledge that MIPS equestrian helmets exist. I think we’re up to at least 20+ who are alive and well having had a MIPS helmet on when a horrible head injury/fall occurred and they are still with us and still wearing a MIPS helmet. Thanks for reading this far and for those who do so, thanks for filling out the survey. Anyone who has questions can either post here or email me at slownsteadystables@gmail.com

Have a great weekend and safe riding!

Em

[emeraldcity]

I filled it out, but two thoughts- maybe allow multiple selection for discipline? I do more than one english discipline, all wearing the same helmets. Also, prior to my current helmet, I had two- one I mostly showed/clinic’ed in, and one I schooled in. They were different brands, but I had to pick one to list in the survey. Maybe allow a couple of previous helmets?

[Renn_aissance]

It looks like you’re really looking for information from people who currently wear a MIPS helmet and previously wore a different kind of helmet, MIPS or non-MIPS. My input, as a person who has not yet owned a MIPS helmet (because I have yet to find a model that fits,) doesn’t seem to meet the goals of your survey.

If that’s the case, you may want to edit your post to indicate the participants you’re looking for. If not, then maybe you can expand on the information you’re looking to get out of this.

[Xctrygirl]

Ok updated. Thanks for the feedback.

1. You can pick multiple disciplines
2. the Brand sections allows you to type up to 250 characters now.

@Renn_aissance

All helmet info is valuable but knowing how many folks do not have MIPS equipped helmets is valuable to see that some folks do not have MIPS and to see if there are reasons why.

The best fitting helmet should still win for the best one to own. A helmet that has MIPS is great but only if it fits your head.

My ultimate goal is still aimed at helping bring more info to the surface (If there are things still lacking) about where we should aim to be as an industry that needs to improve the safety elements where possible. If folks have any feedback on helmets I would love to know and try to work on it.

For example… One person replied that it’s hard to understand ALL the different helmet certifications without one place to see all the standards in one consolidated place. So I’m working on seeing if creating that is possible.

All feedback can bring something positive.

Em

[Renn_aissance]

@Xctrygirl

All helmet info is valuable but knowing how many folks do not have MIPS equipped helmets is valuable to see that some folks do not have MIPS and to see if there are reasons why.

Do you want to ask a question about that on the survey? The free-form feedback field at the end doesn’t really get at that. (Though that’s where I put this feedback now that I know you’re looking for it.)

[fivestrideline]

Filled out! I talked a bit about why I’m still considering a non-MIPS helmet for my next one/for showing, but I’m in the group and have my brain wired that way - I knew what type of feedback you were likely seeking and subconsciously went that direction. Not sure how someone without that mindset would interpret the last two questions!

[cbg]

Arro has this chart. It’s on their website and on a printed card in the box with their helmets.

[Xctrygirl]

Not on this survey. Mostly because almost 200 people have filled it out already and going back and adding the question now seems like shutting a field gate 4 days after a horse has gotten out.

If I want to ask later in another moment like this I will. I am pretty confident I know the various answers of “WHY” folks don’t have a MIPS helmet as there are a pretty common stream of comments on this on my group.

Thank you for including it in the freeform section. It does help. I do appreciate it. Spontaneity has it ups and downs and obviously one of the downs is not remembering all the things.

Em

[Xctrygirl]

Yep. Rhys (Owner/developer of ARRO) is a great friend. I like that he made this. I like that Charles Owen also has something similar on their site.

That’s a starting point and I shared both with the person who asked but it can get complicated to explain to folks repeatedly so a website with ALL the tests and all the testing agencies would be great.

Em

[Xctrygirl]

I appreciate that. All thoughts are valuable. And honestly it’s fine to have people who won’t buy MIPS. I have to remember that there’s still people who will not use seat belts. There’s folks that don’t do a lot of things proven to keep you safer, or not die from diseases etc. It’s just hard to get to 100% of anything.

I am thankful for anyone who listens to all the data I am sharing and makes a decision that keeps them safer.

Em