Virginia Tech Releases 2022 Helmet Ratings

[DMK]

Honestly, the results for all equestrian helmets was depressing in that only 2 got 5 star ratings. Go look at cycling, you have to scroll down to the 100th helmet to get to the FIRST 4 star helmet so clearly the technology to get a decent rating is there. And I get that not all cycling falls are comparable to riding falls, but here’s betting there’s more similarities than differences in the low impact fall.

I sincerely hope the helmet industry isn’t terribly impressed with itself today.

In good news, while I bought a mips helmet last year, I mostly only use it for showing. It’s the one k so that kind of sucks, but I tried on so many mips helmets and none of them fit so if there is any added value in mips, I’m still stuck with the one that fits. But I hadn’t got around to upgrading my way too old daily helmet yet. About 12 seconds after I read the story I ordered one of those tuff rider cf helmets off Amazon as a daily helmet before they were sold out and shot up in price. Of course, if it fits my long oval slab side head will be the big question.

[rulex]

@DMK

I tried on so many mips helmets and none of them fit so if there is any added value in mips, I’m still stuck with the one that fits

I’m in the same boat. My MIPS helmet ranked low, but it was the one that fit me the best out of all the locally available MIPS helmets. I think I tried almost every MIPS helmet that ranked higher in the study and they were not a great fit. Someone said it in the thread already, but a properly fitting helmet is more important than how many stars it has.

I’ll be continuing to wear mine and will revisit these studies when it’s time to replace it.

[AAHunterGal]

@DMK

Honestly, the results for all equestrian helmets was depressing in that only 2 got 5 star ratings. Go look at cycling, you have to scroll down to the 100th helmet to get to the FIRST 4 star helmet so clearly the technology to get a decent rating is there. And I get that not all cycling falls are comparable to riding falls, but here’s betting there’s more similarities than differences in the low impact fall.

I sincerely hope the helmet industry isn’t terribly impressed with itself today.

Amen.

Maybe they will spend less time coming up with new $800 rhinestone covered glorified fashion hats and start spending more money on actual research and safety.

As someone who also rides bikes, the cycling industry would NEVER let something like this fly. You know that no matter which cycling helmet you buy, you have confidence your helmet will do its best to protect you.

[Foitin]

True, yet my rhinestone Samshield made the two MIPS helmets I tried (and unfortunately bought) look like the fashion hat garbage so there are many factors to consider, most of which I do not understand: quality of materials? Not sure honestly, so I’ll keep the Shadowmatt for now!

[Xctrygirl]

OK so since COTH Forums now has a block on posting similar posts, thinking that they’re spam, allow me to try to post the Zoom link to the Webinar being held tomorrow night.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88596262936?pwd=MEFQOHE5U0dRazhaUHowam9CdHhwUT09

Meeting ID: 885 9626 2936

Passcode: 683911

There’s more info here:

The “doors” will open at 7pm. Barry will start a bit after. We are trying allow time for everyone to log in and get settled with their computer and work through any tech issues.

PAY ATTENTION… YOU WILL NEED TO ENTER THE PASSCODE>>> 683911

Your microphone will be muted on sign in. Your camera will be off. That is intentional. Nothing is wrong.

Many thanks,

Emily

[Peggy]

This may be helpful. It links to part 3 of a blog from RideEquisafe about the VT ratings and how it relates to other studies.

Virginia Tech Helmet Study Results Part 3 - Where Do We Go From Here?

[Xctrygirl]

Catherine and I spoke and she is busy today but in the process of updating these check lists. A few important certifications were left off.

Specifically - All OneK’s have VG1 Cert. All Trauma Voids have VG1 Cert. Ditto all GPA’s.

And the OneK Defender has PAS015 cert as well.

Em

[Foitin]

Anybody know why some of the very low ranked helmets on the Folksam comparison chart say “recommended”? Doesn’t make sense for this average Jane.

[Gardenhorse]

@Foitin

Anybody know why some of the very low ranked helmets on the Folksam comparison chart say “recommended”? Doesn’t make sense for this average Jane.

That chart shows the ratings from VT but the recommendations from the Folksam study. It is illustrating how the two studies had very different results on many of the helmets that overlapped between the studies.

[Foitin]

Thanks very much!

[MHM]

Update from the USHJA Annual Meeting.

They tested 40 varieties to start, but they are planning to continue testing more riding helmets until they have tested all of them.

No word yet on a time frame.

[MHM]

Has anyone posted this yet?

Q&A: Dr. Barry Miller Answers Your Questions About The Virginia Tech...

Part two:

Part 2: Dr. Barry Miller Answers More Of Your Questions About Helmet Ratings

[mika0116]

Champion MIPS did not fit my oval-ish head.I knew this, but I figured I’d try it out as I was looking for a second helmet (I typically keep 2 in rotation) & never had a Champion helmet before.

CO fits me best - and I think my 2nd helmet purchase will be going back to the Trauma Void Lynx.

Thanks for linking the Dr. Barry Miller responses, helpful!

[Xctrygirl]

Do you know there is a sized Skull cap Lynx by Trauma Void now??

Fits great and sits down nicely.

**For those asking the recording of the webinar with Dr. Miller it will be available soon ** When it’s done I will post it here.

Em

[Xctrygirl]

Here’s the recording from the webinar with Barry Miller.

Please feel free to share this out!

Dec 12, 2022 Webinar w/ Dr. Barry Miller

Em

[Bristol_Bay]

One interesting point Dr. Miller makes is that hair inside the helmet is a natural “slip plane.” So not the safety issue that countless threads on COTH have argued about.

[Xctrygirl]

That’s actually over simplifying and not correct.

Dr. Miller has said before that Hunter Hair is detrimental to how a MIPS equipped helmet is intended to work.

Em

(The thread about the results and our webinar on Eventing’s forum has a LOT more info)

[Xctrygirl]

Here’s the video of the MIPS Webinar from last night.

12/20 Webinar With MIPS

I thought the MIPS folks did a fabulous job showing videos and explaining the issues seen in the VT Study, from their point of view obviously. But a lot of the videos were easy and clear to see the differences.

Em

[MHM]

This is a podcast with Joe Dotoli and Dr. Miller about the helmet study.

For those who are not aware, Joe has been involved in developing safer helmets for riders for more than 20 years.

Plaidcast 313A: Tom O'Mara, Joe Dotoli & Dr. Barry Miller by Taylor,...

[Xctrygirl]

Joe is brilliant. I got to meet him at the Helmet Study symposium at VT in August and he is extremely impressive.

Also fwiw, after Barry did this podcast and the Noelle Floyd one he emailed me and is very excited that people are starting to understand things.

Em