My MIPS helmet story

[Defying_Logic]

I will lead by saying horse and I are both fine.

Last winter, when I had to replace my helmet, I sprang for ok a TraumaVoid to get the MIPS lining. I had been debating it, as I generally don’t like to spend that much on a helmet, but figured that better protection against concussions was probably worth splurging.

During one of my rides on the green OTTB last week, he caught himself while cantering and tripped hard and almost when all the way down. I ended up somersaulting off of his shoulder, and he managed to jump sideways around me.

I ended up up in a sitting position having flipped around completely and sat evaluating how I was. Luckily, I had been able to fall pretty well in a somersault, but I had thought my head was the point of impact. As I sat there, I felt completely fine, absolutely no headache, no seeing stars, no feeling disoriented. I figured I must have managed to rotate far enough that my head didn’t hit. And then I took off my helmet. The shell had a good amount of visible damage and had slid over the liner, which had stayed snugly on my head, a good 3/4 inch.

I am now convinced that the MIPS is completely worth every penny. I’m not normally one to post about products or falls, but if anyone is on the fence about this, I definitely feel that it made a huge difference and I’ve already replaced my helmet with another traumavoid

[Groom_amp_Taxi]

Thank you for posting! My usual helmet price point is around $100, but I just bought a Trauma Void and am glad to hear your anecdotal evidence that it may prove to be worth the extra $.

[CanteringCarrot]

I cannot find a MIPS helmet that actually fits my head, so the point is moot for me at the moment.

I’m glad (not that you fell off!) that someone was able to post a review of how a MIPS helmet performed during a fall though. Granted there is evidence out there, but it’s still nice to hear anecdotes/personal experiences.

[Wanderosa]

@CanteringCarrot

I cannot find a MIPS helmet that actually fits my head, so the point is moot for me at the moment.

I’m glad (not that you fell off!) that someone was able to post a review of how a MIPS helmet performed during a fall though. Granted there is evidence out there, but it’s still nice to hear anecdotes/personal experiences.

Me either. And it drives me nuts because I desperately want one!

[Bluey]

@Wanderosa

Me either. And it drives me nuts because I desperately want one!

Same for me, didn’t fit and made me feel walking around that, when I stopped, it wobbled lightly on my head, very strange.
Didn’t try it on a horse, too bad a fit, needed returning.
I am comparing with the fit on a Troxel, that fits like a glove.

Maybe if it works that well, not a good fit is not that important?

[Wanderosa]

@Bluey

Same for me, didn’t fit and made me feel walking around that, when I stopped, it wobbled lightly on my head, very strange.
Didn’t try it on a horse, too bad a fit, needed returning.
I am comparing with the fit on a Troxel, that fits like a glove.

Maybe if it works that well, not a good fit is not that important?

It crossed my mind that maybe the MIPS is actually supposed to fit slightly differently than other helmets and the tack store folks aren’t receiving correct training from the manufacturer? Is so, definite fail on the manufacturer’s part. I tried the 54cm and it was slughtkt tight on either temple but loose elsewhere. I wanted to try the 53cm but for the longest time no one had one in store. Finally, a local dealer got one in. And it proved tighter over the temples but still loose elsewhere. Maybe it’s a head shape thing and they need to start making round and oval versions like Charles Owens.

In the meantime, I guess I’m stuck with my Ovation with the dial-to-fit back and the pink sparkles!

[MissCoco]

@Wanderosa

It crossed my mind that maybe the MIPS is actually supposed to fit slightly differently than other helmets and the tack store folks aren’t receiving correct training from the manufacturer? Is so, definite fail on the manufacturer’s part.

At least with ski helmets, the MIPS technology shouldn’t affect the fit (not that it doesn’t but that your MIPS helmet should feel just as snug and well-fitting as a non-MIPS helmet).
I find my ski (with MIPS) and equestrian helmets (no MIPS) feel very similar on. The only difference I’ve had explained to me is that when the ski shop employee tested the fit by giving the helmet a decent pop to the underside of the brim, the MIPS liner did cause the shell within the helmet to shift slightly, but the helmet as a whole should stay snug to your head, just like a non-MIPS helmet.

Defying Logic, thanks for sharing your story! I’m also looking forward to more brands adding this technology, and have it eventually become much more widespread.

[Obsidian_Fire]

I thought I heard something recently that more manufacturers were going to be using the MIPS technology. I might be wrong, but???
Hopefully they all will. I had to replace my helmet last winter too, I tried on the TraumaVoid and it just wasn’t right. The girls at my tack shop were well educated and very helpful, and picky too, about how the helmet should fit. I ended up with a One K Defender, and I like it quite well.

[MissAriel]

@Obsidian Fire @Bluey @CanteringCarrot @Wanderosa
For the TraumaVoid EQ3 helmet, there are two different liners for different head shapes. Did you try both liners that come with the helmet?
There is also the newer Lynx model, which is a dial fit, so may fit more shapes.

I have the Lynx and love it. I hope I never have to test its protection though.

[Wanderosa]

@MissAriel

@Obsidian Fire @Bluey @CanteringCarrot @Wanderosa
For the TraumaVoid EQ3 helmet, there are two different liners for different head shapes. Did you try both liners that come with the helmet?
There is also the newer Lynx model, which is a dial fit, so may fit more shapes.

I have the Lynx and love it. I hope I never have to test its protection though.

Ohhh! I was told the liners changed the snugness of the helmet. No one mentioned shape. But, yes. I have tried it with both. Off to check out the Lynx!

Btw - didn’t mean to take over your thread, OP. So glad you’re ok! It’s crazy to think how much force the helmet was able to mitigate.

[Wanderosa]

@Natalie A

The Trauma Void fit so way on top of my head even in a too-large size when I tried it on last month at a show - hoping more manufacturers start making helmets with it to compare. I haven’t yet found the Lynx to try on (and I didn’t know about the liners!), but if the fit of the others is any indication apparently I just have a weirdly small yet tall head. (point of reference, Ovation in a S fits, as does an XS Tipperary - my S Troxel was too far up on my head, as was the smaller liner of the S IRH, and the S OneK nearly covered my ears).

Fwiw - Charles Owens seen to sit up higher on the head than most other brands.

[trubandloki]

Glad to read the review on how well this helmet style worked.

I wish they fit a long oval head. No amount of liner makes a round shaped helmet fit on a truly oval head.

[elleng0728]

I have had both the eq3 and the lynx helemt and find the lynx much more comfortable. It sits deeper on the head

[Wicky]

I also am happy with my MIPS. I was ejected from my horse, fell on my back and whiplashed to the back of my head. Like Logic, I was surprised that I had no feeling of disorientation or headache. I replaced it through the company, under their replacement policy, and I do not intend to wear any other helmet.

[bdj]

Y’all - I was curious about the pricing of the MIPS helmets and checked the TraumaVoid website - they have a closeout sale going on last year’s brown helmets which brings them from $249 down to $169 if you’re looking for the tech, but don’t need to be picky about color.
https://traumavoid.com/Helmets/Closeout-Helmets.html

[Jackie_Cochran]

I really like my Trauma Void helmet.

When I fell off a horse the last time I was wearing it. Many decades ago I had a head-on collision (the other driver was passed out drunk) and ever since my neck has bothered me. In fact my neck seems to search out things to get into spasms over.

After my fall I expected my neck to give me FITS for weeks or months. So far my neck has not bothered me any more than usual. I cheerfully replaced my helmet with another Trauma Void and I will go on riding in them.

My neck should have gone into spasm, but my neck did not spasm at all after my fall.

Worth every penny to me.

[rhymes_with_orange]

I replaced my helmet with a Trauma Void last fall after a bad crash off of a horse a friend was trialing. Up to that point I was using “whatever was on sale in my size.” I do believe I suffered a minor concussion in that fall, my second in 20 years of riding, but hopefully my last. I have become very paranoid about concussions after recent studies involving football players and developing degenerative brain diseases from repeated blows to the head.

[LetItBe]

Just had my first ambulance ride this weekend after a fall, I suspect something spooked my pony and I’ve been told a tree was involved but no one saw it and I don’t remember anything. Was able to go check on pony and he’s fine, trainer rode him in the same area I think it started in and no reactions at all from him.

I’ve ordered the Trauma Void helmet and I did talk to the company a bit as I saw reference to an oval liner but it’s never in the product description. The oval liner comes attached to the harness so maybe stores don’t realize that? Smartpak had to go look for more information to find that out for me as I wanted to be sure it was there as I’m a long oval fit.

LetItBe

[Garythesquirrel]

Thank you for the great review!

I just received my Trauma Void Lynx last week, I almost ordered one without the dial fit a while back but I have a hard-to-fit head so I’m glad I waited for the dial fit.

[Bluey]

I remember now, one problem I had was the forward set harness made the bottom strap fit under my nose.
It was too forward to fit where it needed, for me.

Not sure it was the original or Lynx.
Whichever it was didn’t fit in more than one way, but maybe the newer ones fit differently?