MIPS riding hats

Birker2020

Birker2020

Well-Known Member
Joined
29 October 2008
Messages
23,595
Visit site
After discovering I have a 22% greater risk of developing dementia due to a TBI I had in my late 20's I am keen to look at the possibility of buying a MIPS riding hat.

When I was in A&E having a CT scan after suffering another concussion the consultant said something about the fact it's considered very bad to suffer three or more concussions - I think at this point I'd had at least three - I used to compete every weekend for 15 plus years, Bailey was a very spooky horse and I'd had a fall around every 2.5 years where I'd loose consciousness for a few seconds, never any longer.

Apparently it's well documented that three or more concussions can cause lung term cognitive problems so I'm really keen to mitigate the risk of further concussions if at all possible. Please can you tell me how they work and how they are meant to be safer than normal hats?

I know concussion is the brain hitting the skull so I'm confused how this can be reduced.
 
MIPS hats have an inner and an outer shell. The way they are constructed means there is a small amount of ‘slip’ between the two shells. They are meant to help with impacts where your head hits the ground at an angle. The risk here is that your head comes to an immediate stop but your brain carries on inside your skull and crashes into your skull. The issue is the sudden stop.
The small amount of give that MIPS helmets give is intended to slightly slow the sudden stop of your head giving your brain a bit of a buffer.

Helmet technology

Helmet technology is the very heart of what Mips is all about. Here you can read all about our science and technology.
mipsprotection.com mipsprotection.com
 
Last edited:
ycbm said:
Google MIPS, B, the information is all there online.

I've replaced all my hats with MIPS.
.
Click to expand...
Yes, it was late last night when I posted. I suppose I was really wondering if you felt it was worthwhile, but then I suppose you'd not have bought it if you hadn't. It's definitely something I am considering, along with my air jacket, I need to mitigate the risks as much as is possible. I suppose not riding would be the best solution but I'm aching to get out there again competing.
 
Virginia tech does an annual (I think) rating of riding helmets for safety based on reduction of concussion risk. Champion revolve x-air MIPS comes out on top with a score significantly better than all others. But then it’s another 4 down the list until another MIPS helmet comes up.

EquestriAn Helmet Ratings

Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings - Football helmets have been tested to evaluate their ability to reduce brain injury risk.
www.helmet.beam.vt.edu www.helmet.beam.vt.edu
 
Oh crap I know I’ve had at least 2 concussions , probably more ☹️

ETA I’ve now got a champion mips hat. My first concussions was pre H&S at junior school and required overnight in hospital!
 
Last edited:
Following a serious head injury last year (NOT horse related, I should add) I have replaced both my hats with MIPS system hats and feel a lot safer in them with regard to preventing any further, future damage to my head. (I now have a Uvex fixed peak and a Champion skull). My accident happened at home and I was not wearing any protective headgear ....

I also know someone who had a very nasty crash while riding a mountain bike wearing a MIPs system bike helmet - he ended up being air lifted to hospital!! He was told by his consultant that his helmet saved his life without question. The helmet took the impact and disintegrated instead of his head! In light of these two experiences, I would not wear anything other than a MIPS helmet in future.
 
Boughtabay said:
Virginia tech does an annual (I think) rating of riding helmets for safety based on reduction of concussion risk. Champion revolve x-air MIPS comes out on top with a score significantly better than all others. But then it’s another 4 down the list until another MIPS helmet comes up.

EquestriAn Helmet Ratings

Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings - Football helmets have been tested to evaluate their ability to reduce brain injury risk.
www.helmet.beam.vt.edu www.helmet.beam.vt.edu
Click to expand...
Is there a difference between the Junior and 'Adult' versions of these, besides the price? Looking at them, they do my size in both junior and adult, but the difference seems to be about £100!
 
  • Like
Reactions: tda
I have had two quite serious falls this year (both hospital jobs) and in both I was wearing Uvex MIPS helmets. Both times the inner shell broke (along with my ribs) but seeing the damage to the helmets, I am almost certain my head and neck would have been much more seriously injured had I had a "normal" helmet on. After the 2nd fall I had a continuous headache (for about a month); by the time I'd paid off the 2nd helmet it had worn off. I am definitely a convert! If they can get my noggin through two major falls (6 weeks apart) then definitely worth it :)
 
Nasicus said:
Is there a difference between the Junior and 'Adult' versions of these, besides the price? Looking at them, they do my size in both junior and adult, but the difference seems to be about £100!
Click to expand...

There wasn't any difference between child and adult in the old Champion hats apart from Thelwell cartoons inside, but I don't know about modern hats, though I would expect them still to be the same.
.
 
Boughtabay said:
Virginia tech does an annual (I think) rating of riding helmets for safety based on reduction of concussion risk. Champion revolve x-air MIPS comes out on top with a score significantly better than all others. But then it’s another 4 down the list until another MIPS helmet comes up.

EquestriAn Helmet Ratings

Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings - Football helmets have been tested to evaluate their ability to reduce brain injury risk.
www.helmet.beam.vt.edu www.helmet.beam.vt.edu
Click to expand...


The Charles Owen at number 4 has MIPS, I have one.
.
 
ycbm said:
The Charles Owen at number 4 has MIPS, I have one.
.
Click to expand...
I wasn’t aware of that to be honest - it’s the one I have and wasn’t mentioned when I bought it! But I did buy it based on this list.

ETA I can’t see MIPS mentioned in the description of the 4star on the Charles owen website and it doesn’t appear when you filter their helmets by MIPS
 
Last edited:
Nasicus said:
Is there a difference between the Junior and 'Adult' versions of these, besides the price? Looking at them, they do my size in both junior and adult, but the difference seems to be about £100!
Click to expand...
Nope same safety standards just smaller head! I did check this when I was buying my Charles owen 4star as I was just on the border between adults and child’s (guess which I went for…)
 
Tiddlypom said:
I’ve worn my ventilated Uvex Exxential II MIPS hat today for the first time on a 2 hour trek in baking temps on Cannock Chase.

It is the most comfortable hat that I’ve ever worn, and I barely sweated up underneath it. No wobbling. It has an adjustable dial thingy, so I could tweak the fit just so.

View attachment 122434

View attachment 122435
Click to expand...
I have this one and love it, but it isnt the highest ranking on the safety listings.
 
I think when I replace my hat, I'll look at buying the MIPS equivalent of what I have. Though my Pro II plus fits like a glove, and I'd be wary of losing that fit
 
Last edited:
Boughtabay said:
I wasn’t aware of that to be honest - it’s the one I have and wasn’t mentioned when I bought it! But I did buy it based on this list.

ETA I can’t see MIPS mentioned in the description of the 4star on the Charles owen website and it doesn’t appear when you filter their helmets by MIPS
Click to expand...


I'll check it, I'm wondering if I've mistaken the brand now.
 
I bought one even though I didnt need a new hat and I have worn it ever since. A Charles Owen. I havent tested it in a fall as I havent fallen off since I bought it.
It goes on from the front and is far more comfortable that my previous Gatehouse HS1. I had mine properly fitted by the expert at our normal tackshop. I think the fitting is necessary as the outer shell may come with a choice of inner linings? And it is the inner linng that fine tunes the size.
 
expanding_horizon said:
I have this one and love it, but it isnt the highest ranking on the safety listings.
Click to expand...
Yes, I saw that, and I'm normally very wary of the lighter weight ventilated hats.

But this was such a revelation on a very hot (for me) longer ride in rising to 27°c temps. I couldn't have ridden today in my Gatehouse HS1, for instance. The dial fit (new to me in riding hats) kept the Uvex Exxential II exactly in place without it ever feeling too tight. It'll do me grand in hot weather.

I'm off to investigate proper crash hats with MIPs next, there were none in stock to try when I bought the Uvex.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top