Mom had her first farewell to fine leather in more years than I think she would care to recount! She needs a new helmet, and provided one fits her, she is getting MIPS tech. We don’t have a local store that has the entire catalog of MIPS helmets available, so if it turns out she is likely to be a better fit in one brand or model than another, I’d like to take her to the right place to be fitted. She currently rides in the Ovation Deluxe Schooler. Has anyone moved from this helmet to a MIPS model? What models have worked for you?
I have worn the Ovations before and now have a Trauma Void Lynx that I bought for the MIPS after my last Ovation. I would say they are pretty close.
https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/trauma-void-lynx-smooth-helmet-20422
1 Like
I have had several different models of Ovations over the years because they fit my oval head well. I got the Tipperary Windsor MIPS early this year and it fits great. It also has slight customization with a dial. Order it from an online retailer that offers free returns and if it doesn’t fit, send it back.
1 Like
Thanks! This is good- our local tack shop doesn’t carry the TraumaVoid so we will have to order one in. She will be happy if these fit well, because some are on sale. 
She’s got some sticker shock about this project!
@Lusoluv The Tipps are also economical compared to some other models so that will also be appealing to her. And of course, my horse’s name is Tipperary, so I’m secretly hoping one of those fits her.
2 Likes
I got mine right around the New Year, from Stateline Tack. They had a great sale and I got mine for about $200. I know some of the Charles Owens and others can be upwards of $400-600!
If you are used to the nice lightweight, low profile Schooler I think it’s a bit of an adjustment going to a MIPS helmet. Ovation Schooler SM/MD is the best fit I’ve found for my small, oval head. Mine was several years old, and I wanted MIPS for my new helmet so I tried a few. The one I thought fit the most similar was the Charles Owen MyPs, which in the “regular” (vs round) fit similar in the inside. However the whole thing is just bulky and cumbersome in comparison. I ended up returning it and getting a new Schooler instead.
I like the fit of the Ovation schooler also, and have likewise been very happy with my OneK MIPS.
2 Likes
Seconding One K. Fits just as well as my Ovation schooler did.
I have a long oval 6 5/8 noggin. A nogginnette, if you will. I loved how light and comfortable the Ovation Schooler was, but after getting a concussion in one, I am strictly MIPS now. You only get one brain.
My first MIPS was the TraumaVoid Lynx. It’s a good helmet and fits long ovals well, though the brim sits a little low for me. I tried the Charles Owen MyPs back when I was trying the Lynx and preferred the Lynx fit. I believe I also tried a Tipperary MIPS but again preferred the Lynx.
Now, a couple of years later, I’ve switched from the Lynx to a Junior-size OneK MIPS and I absolutely adore it. [Edited to add:] And the Jr. model is cheaper, too!
Good luck! Helmet fit is so important, and so difficult when you can’t easily try a bunch on.
Most online retailers offer free return shipping on sized items, so don’t limit yourself to trying just one.
I have prepped her for that! “It may feel heavy at first and it will look like a bowl.” She has the Schooler not because it was lightweight, but because she was being really stubborn about replacing her old helmet because “I don’t ride that often and they’re expensive.” I dragged her into Dover and had her try on every Troxel and Ovation and so on schooling helmet until we found one that fit, then said “and it’s only $60!”
She’s all in on the MIPS idea- I sent her the research. I suggested she order the TraumaVoid, which isn’t sold locally; and we are making a field trip to the saddlery on Tuesday to get her fitted. If they have a Tipp Windsor wide brim in my size, I’m going to join her in the try-on.
2 Likes
The only one I’ve tried that was heavy and felt like a bowl is the original Charles Owens. I gave it away. My OneK feels no different than a regular helmet. Same with Tipperary. A friend bought a CO Halo, black with the black gloss ring, and loves it, plus it’s extremely cool looking. It’s just that original CO that felt horrible.
I had the Ovation Schoolers for years. I tried on the Trauma Void Lynx. I did not like it. Totally overwhelmed my head. I have a small head. I used the Trauma Void EQ3 for a few years. Last year I bought a OneK during helmet awareness week- didn’t get it until November last year but love it. I like it better than the EQ3.
I rode at home in Ovation schoolers for many years, as did my daughter. Loved them! Switched us both over to the wide brim Tipperary (Windsor?) a few years ago and don’t ever wear anything else now. I think they fit fairly comparably. The Tipperary might be slightly rounder than the Ovation? Not sure. I think I have a longish ovalish head (and big - 7 3/8 - 7 1/2) and my Tipperary is maybe the tiniest bit snugger than my Ovation. But still comfy…enough that I don’t bother with the Ovation schoolers at home anymore.
She came home with the Tipp Windsor! No word yet how she liked riding in it for the first time, but it was a good fit for her.
Sadly, not a great fit for me, so I continue the hunt for a MIPS that fits my own head!
2 Likes
If you have a long oval head try one k for your next mips, they make a long oval version (and also long oval liners)
I couldn’t make the tipperary work, but that was because I had a combination of being between sizes and a long oval head. One or the other and it probably would have been fine, but both was just not working
My head is exasperating. Not quite round, not quite long oval. It fits very well in the GPA shape. Everything else I have tried shifts around, rocks side to side, or gives me a headache. The Windsor was close, but too narrow in a medium and too wide in a large.
OneK perched on top of my head- I didn’t feel it was stable up there.
Hopefully, as more brands come out with helmets with the technology, I’ll have more options!
Mom just texted me and asked if I wanted her old helmet to make a planter out of. Guess that means she likes the new one.
2 Likes
But did you try the long oval one k? The regular one was not a good fit for me either. in my search for a mips helmet, I tried a small helmet, a medium helmet, medium with small liner, a medium with a long oval liner, a medium long oval with a small liner and FINALLY, a medium long oval with a small long oval liner FTW. All of this was through delivery, so lots of fun was had. I’m your case going one size smaller with a long oval liner/regular helmet or vice versa might be the right balance for a not so oval but not round head
I can wear GPAs, not the early generation, but by the time the speed air came out GPAs we’re not so very very round, and they worked better than CO. But IRH makes a long oval and I have one in a chocolate brown leather that I love. It’s also the best fitting helmet I own to date.
I think I just saw on Facebook that Ovation has come out with a MIPS helmet?
4 Likes
You’re right! Stateline has it for $160, unfortunately there is no picture of it on someone so I can’t tell how bulky it is, they don’t list the weight either.
https://www.statelinetack.com/item/ovation-m-class-mips-helmet/E037518/
Actually Stateline has several Ovation models I haven’t heard of/seen before.
3 Likes
