What Are MIPS Helmets? Why They’re Worth It for Motorcycle Riders

Autor: Shelby Benavidez  

Abogado colaborador: Dana Nichols, attorney

Every time you throw a leg over your motorcycle, you’re making a choice to accept a certain level of risk. Even the safest riders can’t control distracted drivers, unexpected road hazards, or another driver’s poor decision. While no helmet can eliminate the risk of a serious injury, choosing the right one can make a huge difference in how your brain responds during a crash.  

Over the past several years, you’ve probably noticed more manufacturers advertising MIPS helmets. The technology has become increasingly common across motorcycle, bicycle, snow sports, and even construction helmets, but many riders still aren’t sure what it actually does.  

Understanding how MIPS works can help you choose a helmet right for you before your next ride. Here’s what you need to know about what MIPS helmets are, how they differ from traditional helmets, and why many riders believe they’re worth the investment.  

What Are MIPS Helmets?  

MIPS stands for Multi-directional Impact Protection System. It’s a helmet safety technology designed to help reduce the rotational forces that can be transferred to your brain during certain types of impacts.  

Unlike a standard helmet, a MIPS helmet contains a thin, low-friction layer positioned between the helmet’s comfort liner and its outer shell. During specific angled impacts, this layer allows the helmet to move slightly (typically about 10 to 15 millimeters) around your head to help redirect some of the rotational energy that would otherwise be transmitted directly to your brain.  

Many people believe that MIPS is a brand of helmet, but it isn’t. MIPS licenses its technology to helmet manufacturers, who then incorporate the system into their own designs.   

Today, MIPS technology can be found in motorcycle helmets, bicycle helmets, equestrian helmets, climbing helmets, construction hard hats, and many other types of protective headgear.  

How Does MIPS Work?  

Your brain isn’t fixed rigidly inside your skull. It’s suspended in cerebrospinal fluid, allowing it to move slightly during everyday activities. That movement becomes much more dramatic during a collision.  

When a rider crashes, it’s rare for the head to strike the ground perfectly straight on. Impacts usually occur at an angle while the rider is still moving forward. This creates two different types of force: linear, which pushes the brain straight forward or backward, and rotational, which causes the brain to twist inside the skull.  

Traditional helmets do an excellent job of managing direct, linear impacts by absorbing energy through the helmet’s foam liner. Rotational impacts, however, are much more difficult to manage.  

The low-friction layer inside MIPS helmets allows the shell to rotate slightly during the first few milliseconds of an angled impact when the highest rotational forces occur. Rather than transferring all of that twisting energy directly to your head, some of the force is redirected through the helmet itself.  

Laboratory testing has shown that MIPS technology can reduce rotational motion transferred to the brain in certain impact scenarios, helping decrease the strain placed on brain tissue. While the exact amount varies depending on the crash, studies have found reductions ranging from roughly 10% to 50% under specific testing conditions.  

No helmet can prevent every traumatic brain injury, but reducing rotational forces may help lower the risk of severe brain trauma in some crashes.  

Are Standard Motorcycle Helmets Enough?  

Every motorcycle helmet sold in the United States must meet minimum safety standards established by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Many premium helmets also carry certifications from organizations like Snell or ECE.  

However, most certification testing has historically focused on direct vertical impacts. But, again, real-world motorcycle crashes don’t always happen that way. That’s one reason why many riders choose helmets equipped with MIPS technology.  

Rather than replacing existing safety certifications, MIPS in helmets provides an added layer of protection intended to address crash dynamics that traditional testing hasn’t always emphasized.  

It’s important to remember that MIPS isn’t a replacement for buying a quality helmet. A properly fitted, DOT-approved helmet remains the foundation of motorcycle safety. MIPS simply adds another feature that may provide additional protection during certain types of impacts.  

Are MIPS Helmets Worth It?  

There’s no getting around it – a MIPS helmet usually costs more than one without the technology. But, when you compare that additional cost to the aftermath of a traumatic brain injury, many riders feel it’s money well spent.  

Traumatic brain injuries can affect nearly every aspect of daily life, including memory, concentration, balance, vision, speech, and more. Research has also found that individuals who have suffered moderate traumatic brain injuries may face an increased risk of developing neurological conditions later in life, including dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.  

Of course, no helmet can guarantee you’ll avoid these injuries. But if a relatively small investment may help reduce rotational forces during certain crashes, many riders believe it’s worth considering.  

Ultimately, wearing any sort of helmet is better than none. The best helmet is one that fits properly, meets recognized safety standards, and is comfortable to wear every ride. If that helmet also includes MIPS technology, it may be even safer.  

Are MIPS Helmets Only for Motorcycles?  

Although many riders first hear about MIPS through motorcycle gear, the technology is used in much more than motorcycle helmets. You’ll also find MIPS helmets for cycling, mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, horseback riding, climbing, skateboarding, and industrial work.  

Picture a cyclist flipping over the handlebars or a skier catching an edge. Neither person is likely to land perfectly flat. The head will more than likely hit at an angle, creating the same type of rotational movement MIPS is designed to help manage. That’s why the technology is now used in helmets for a wide variety of sports and careers. 

If you have multiple hobbies that require a helmet, it’s worth checking whether your protective gear includes MIPS technology.  

How to Choose the “Right” Helmet  

Every rider hopes they’ll never have to put their helmet to the test. But if you are ever in an accident, you’ll want to have a helmet that will provide the greatest amount of protection available. 

MIPS is an excellent feature to consider, but it shouldn’t be the only factor when choosing a helmet. Before purchasing a helmet, make sure it fits snugly without creating painful pressure points, carries DOT certification at a minimum, and includes quality ventilation and visibility. Above all else, the safest helmet is the one you’ll wear every single time you ride. So, find one you enjoy, and that won’t give you excuses not to wear it.  

Unfortunately, no matter the safety precautions you take, even the safest riders are often injured because another driver was texting, speeding, failed to yield, or simply wasn’t paying attention. If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle crash caused by someone else’s negligence, contact an experienced Texas motorcycle accident attorney for a free case evaluation.