Selecting a MIPS Helmet

[KCSLK]

I read a few of the recent threads on here about MIPS helmets (as I could find them…I’m still fumbling around with the new site!), but still have a few questions as I hunt for a new helmet. Safety is the top priority for me – I don’t show now and my head has already been knocked around enough that I can’t really afford much more damage to it. So I just need a good helmet that’s going to protect my brain as best as possible and will hopefully be fairly comfortable.

Do MIPS helmets generally meet ASTM and SEI standards? Are there safety risks associated with a MIPS helmet that are not present with regular helmets?

Do I really need to go somewhere to try them on to get one that fits me well, or can I get by measuring my head (or something) and ordering online? Given the current state of the world and how far I live from a tack shop that carries MIPS helmets, I’d rather not have to go into a store in-person if I can avoid it.

I’m looking at the Trauma Voids. Are there other MIPS helmets in the <$200 price range that I should be looking into?

[luvmyhackney]

You might have better luck posting in another subsection of the board. I know this was discussed on the Dressage or Hunter/Jumper sections not that long ago.

[clanter]

under $200 would be the question

[Garythesquirrel]

Riding Warehouse has the Trauma Void for $179 and they have an excellent free return policy. I tried most of the MIPS helmets they carry and returned all of them except for the Tipperary Windsor. I absolutely love the Windsor but it is over $200.

https://www.ridingwarehouse.com/searchresults.html?search=products#search=products&searchtext=mips&opt_page=1&opt_sort=relevance&opt_perpage=48

[Xctrygirl]

@KCSLK

HI!!! Please come on over to our Facebook group about all things MIPS helmet related.

MIPS Protection System Equestrian Helmets

As an answer to your question, there are a few helmets under the $200 mark.

All the trauma Voids are. The Brown EQ3’s in particular are on closeout at around $139 or so. It varies by sites and by specials.

The BRAND NEWLY ANNOUNCED Uvex Exxential II Mips helmet is arriving in stores mid-later December and their MSRP is $159. And that’s without a sale.

Some others that are on the cusp to the $200 mark may come down during boxing day and new years sales. It’s a good moment to wait and watch a bit. I know I am already prepping a Google Sheet that everyone can access to edit and post the best prices they have seen on each helmet. We did this during International Helmet Awareness day and it helped a lot of people.

Another Answer… ALL helmets sold in the USA MUST meet the ASTM/SEI standard. It’s actually required. And ALL the 11 models of MIPS helmets sold in the USA are approved.

Just as a refresher for those maybe not up to speed here are the 11 models:

Trauma Void:
EQ3
Lynx

Tipperary:
Windsor

Charles Owen:
MyPS (regular and wide brim)
MS1Pro (Skull cap)

Champion:
Evolve VentAir (Skull cap)
EvolveX-Air (Skull cap)
Evolve Ventair Show helmet
Evolve X-Air Show Helmet

OneK:
OneK MIPS CCS helmet

Uvex:
Uvex Exxential II MIPS Helmet

A lot of folks have been buying them online and trying at home. And more helpful we have folks who post pics and video of them trying them on at home on our group and other users and brand reps in our group are giving helpful feedback as I think we can all understand the Covid issues with going to a tack shop.

Please feel free to reach out to me if I can help answer more questions and I am happy to connect you to any brand reps who may be better able to assist you as you progress in your shopping.

Emily

emily.daignault@gmail.com

[Libby2563]

@Garythesquirrel

Riding Warehouse has the Trauma Void for $179 and they have an excellent free return policy. I tried most of the MIPS helmets they carry and returned all of them except for the Tipperary Windsor. I absolutely love the Windsor but it is over $200.

https://www.ridingwarehouse.com/searchresults.html?search=products#search=products&searchtext=mips&opt_page=1&opt_sort=relevance&opt_perpage=48

Yup, I did the same thing on Helmet Awareness Day. I did try to shop local first but my tack shops didn’t carry many MIPS models/sizes. Unfortunately none of them fit me very well. The only one I still have is the OneK long oval version. It’s better than the rest but I’m still not sure it fits well enough to use/keep. I didn’t think my head was a weird shape but apparently it is.

Anyway, I’d also recommend ordering a bunch from RW to try. They have a good selection and very easy, free returns.

[Bluey]

I tried Tipperary first, didn’t fit, then Lynx and it fits very well and now is under $200:

https://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Trauma_Void_Lynx_MIPS_Safety_Riding_Helmet_Smooth/descpage-TVLH.html

[stb]

I have had two MIPS helmets. The first was the Trauma Void. It’s a nice helmet, very comfortable and very cool. The only thing I didn’t like about it was the harness system, which is the one most often seen on low end helmets. I hate that rubber band with a cheap Velcro wrap thing on a helmet. So annoying.

I recently bought the One K MIPS helmet. I love it. It’s really comfortable and the harness system is much nicer than the Trauma Void. It was over $200.00 but if I remember correctly it was under $300.00.

[walktrot]

I bought a Trauma Void EQ several years ago before the Lynx came out. I was driving by the exit for Dover so I decided I had to stop by. I figured there was something in there to spend money on. I never thought I would spend that much on a helmet but I’ve wacked my head more times than I will admit.

The EQ comes in exact sizes. I got a “58” which is a 7 1/8. The Lynx is S-M-L-XL with a knob for adjustment. There are two liners, one of which is for a round head. The helmet covers a bit more of your head, especially the occipital on the back of your head. I like the way it fits and I’ve never been too hot in the summer. My surrogate granddaughter was a working student in Florida a few years ago and mumbled that the harness on her CO was getting worn. She didn’t have the money to replace it. I got on SmartPak’s website immediately and ordered 3, one being the Lynx. She chose the Lynx herself without my input. The other 2 went back to SmartPak - no shipping charges.

It is approved by SEI and ASTM. There is an independent study done by an insurance company in Sweden. Trauma Void was the only equestrian helmet at the time. MIPS has been available in bike helmets for several years. Bike helmets assume you go over the handlebars and hit the front of your head. That’s why they aren’t acceptable for horseback riding.

Regular ASTM/SEI helmets are tested as though something hit them at a 90 degree to the shell. The MIPS helmet is also tested with your head hitting the ground at an angle. Your brain rotates when that happens. MIPS is designed to protect your brain from rotational damage.

I learned you should be able to fit one finger under the harness as opposed to the eyebrow test. It makes more sense.

[Xctrygirl]

Big News on the helmet front today:

Helmet Research Fundraising Hits Milestone … Research will Begin

Through the collaborative and generous commitments of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA), the U.S. Eventing Association (USEA), and a major matching grant from Jacqueline Mars, more than $425,000 has been committed in just a few short months to further the safety of equestrian athletes across all breeds and disciplines. The USET Foundation has provided their enthusiastic endorsement of the program via education and awareness with their constituents as well. These critical funds will support further research into U.S. helmet safety standards and the creation of an equestrian-specific rating system, providing riders insight into how helmet models compare when looking at safety and protection. One hundred percent of funds raised will support independent research at the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab to develop this important sport-specific rating system. In addition to the financial fundraising component of the program, USEF has shared important data on falls and injuries from USEF competitions, which will be used in the research and development of the Equestrian STAR rating project at the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab.

“Fundraising and awareness efforts accelerated quickly for the project following a presentation I gave one year ago at the USHJA Annual Meeting on the VT Helmet Lab STAR Ratings,” said Dr. Barry Miller, Director of Outreach and Business Development for the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab. "We were asked what it would take to develop the system for equestrian sport: $450,000 to have the system available in 18-24 months. The USHJA jumped on board immediately with a generous commitment, then Jacqueline Mars stepped up with her own matching donation, which the USEF Board of Directors and USEA Board of Governors matched dollar for dollar. We are ready now to get the initiative underway.

"It was great to work with the leaders from all the organizations, together with Jacqueline Mars, to quickly and collectively pull this together on behalf of all members across all breeds and disciplines to benefit improved safety for all.”

To date, the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab has developed STAR helmet ratings for sports including football, youth football, soccer, flag football, cycling, and hockey. Since 2011, Virginia Tech researchers have been providing unbiased helmet ratings that allow consumers to make informed decisions when purchasing helmets. The helmet ratings are the culmination of over 10 years of injury biomechanics research with special attention to concussions and which helmets best reduce concussion risk (www.vt.edu/helmet).

With $425,000 committed, work will begin on the rating system, but the fund will remain open for donations. Any additional money raised will go towards accelerating the development timeline. Your tax-deductible donation can be made directly to the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab, with 100% of all funds going directly to this research.

You too can donate at www.ehsi.net

[KCSLK]

THANK YOU so much for all of your input and great info! I measured my head and ordered the TraumaVoid EQ3 and the Lynx from SmartPak. Fingers crossed one fits my head shape & size! I’ll post an update after I sort out if one will work for me.