I think the main problem is that there was no prior baseline result to compare MIPS vs non-MIPS helmets (of the same type) to see the improvement. Now that there is some data available, consumers can make more educated decisions and companies can adjust their manufacturing.
It looked to me like most helmets did well with high velocity impact, but many did not do well at low velocity.
So which of the top rated helmets would be acceptable for showing in hunter/eq? Is the Trauma Void the best option?
Thanks for the link, interesting results. I’m pleased to see my Tipperary came in at no. 5! Although now this makes me want one in navy too… 
Ok so since not everyone knows on this thread lets go over a few things.
(It will show a link to Facebook but WILL take you directly to our group. )
Details to come tonight, including a signup sheet link required to get access to the talk.
If you have questions, I am a wide open book. Email me at emily.daignault@gmail.com and ask away. I can find you answers.
Emily
I ride in one as well! My head is large, but it’s great for funny-shaped skulls in general.
Bummed the Samshield came out so low. I hope they will do more to make a safer helmet.
50th percentile male was the standard crash dummy. Eventually vehicle safety testers realised the limitations of only having one dummy and now have multiple dummies for most standards. (I think this is still pretty new in USA?)
I have a miss shield and just ordered another one, so yeah this study hurt 
I have had two bad falls, both resulting in broken bones. First one I landed directly on my side and hit my head to the point where I thought (in the exact moment) “I’m going to black out”. Went to the ER and head was completely fine, arm was not.
Second fall I landed directly flat on my back and hit the back of my head. My neck hurt for exactly one day (pain was significant) and was fine after that. My back was not as fortunate.
I would also love to see more in depth studies so I can make an informed decision about my next helmet purchase. It’s frustrating that for the price, many of the top brands (read: the brands the top riders wear) supposedly aren’t as safe.
I’ve also seen a picture of a top rider with a stud in the side of their Charles Owen after getting stepped on after a fall. That almost convinced me to get another CO. These studies are all over the place making it hard to find the “right” one. Helmet fit to head is a big factor in my decision making. I wanted a KASK but they don’t fit my head at all.
Laura Kraut, I think. That was a crazy picture.
YES thank you. I kept wanting to say Lauren Hough. You are correct.
The long awaited initial results of the Virginia Tech helmet study have been released, with testing scores of 40 ASTM equestrian helmets in the first testing batch.
Here are some initial takeaways:
The study focused on concussion risk only. That means that other factors, such as crush and impacts to different surfaces such as hard edges, were not considered. This is because there are other standards already in place to assess helmet performance in those scenarios.
Takeaway #1 - the more safety standards your helmet meets, plus the STAR rating, the better.
The testing was done on headforms with a pendulum impactor. The headform was designed to simulate a human head to the largest degree possible, but of course that can’t be 100%.
Takeaway #2 - helmet fit remains absolutely critical. You can have a 5 STAR helmet with the four major certifications and it’s worthless if it doesn’t fit.
If your helmet didn’t score well,
Takeaway #3 - this doesn’t automatically mean your helmet isn’t safe. However, it does mean that specifically for concussion prevention, it doesn’t score as well.
Takeaway #4 - you don’t have to spend a ton of money to have a safe helmet. This is something that we’re thrilled to see.
As mentioned previously, there’s a lot of information in the study results that we’ll dedicate several posts to, but these results should be used as a decision making factor and not as a single deciding factor when making the decision about which helmet to purchase.
Having said that, some of the most popular helmet models that we see in the competition ring, and those that are higher cost, did not perform well in the study.
Overall, the hope is that manufacturers will use these results to improve their helmets further so that we have a broader selection of 5 STAR helmets in the future.
Please remember - all helmets are tested by ASTM/SEI standards. The safest helmet for you is the one that fits your head the best regardless of this study. It really doesn’t tell the whole story.
I’m pretty happy my Tipperary Sportage, which I’ve been wearing for many years (more than one) came in #5.
Here’s what you have been looking forward to…Virginia Tech Helmet Study - Results analysis and Webinar with Dr. Barry Miller!!!
MONDAY 12/12/22 at 7pm EST. IT will be recorded in case you cannot make it, but please still fill out the form
EVERYONE who wishes to attend or be sent the link to the recording after the fact, MUST register using this form. This is for getting an accurate head count (So I can see if I need to upgrade to a much higher limit Zoom account)
There is a spot on the form to submit your questions for Dr. Miller. We will be sharing that with him in advance of the webinar.
We will have a rundown of the study with Dr. Miller including the thoughts and feedback from the researchers and we will be taking questions in advance and doing a live Q&A session.
We will have the microphones muted for ALL attendees who sign on this time. (LOL IYKYK) The plan is to have everyone sign on between 7-7:25. We will go over some basics about the study and then Dr. Miller will start at 7:30pm.
Feel free to ask any questions here if you have any.
Em
I was actually expecting way worse 
They’ve been known to say they don’t care a whole lot about safety studies so don’t hold your breath.
And yet in my case, the Samshield performed significantly better than the two helmets I bought to replace it, thinking they were SAFER: OneK mips and the Tipperary Winsor!
Indeed, did much better than I expected!
throws hands in air
Ugh is that from this study? That’s… I was going to say disappointing but honestly I think demoralizing might be a better word. If it is from this study, that’s a question I have for the organizers.
Appears to be, yes. Read it here:
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