New hat time MIPS or not

[IhaveTooMany]

I've looked at a lot of threads regarding the above.
Still seeking answers to..
What brands offer MIPS?
What is the safest hat that has MIPS technology?
I was thinking HS1 but no MIPS.
Im thinking MIPS is the safest way to go am I right?

 

[ester]

MIPS is for very specific circumstances, I also come from cycling where it’s been a thing for a much longer time, my experience is they do fit differently to the non mips versions of the same hat which is why I have a mips one as it fitted better (CO MS1 - the JS1 is the equivalent and didn’t fit as well)

 

[MuddyMonster]

I will only buy a MIPS hat now, I've had two falls in them (onto a road) and I think it massive reduced impact to my head & neck.

I wear a Uvex Exxential Ii personally.

 

[IhaveTooMany]

I will only buy a MIPS hat now, I've had two falls in them (onto a road) and I think it massive reduced impact to my head & neck.

I wear a Uvex Exxential Ii personally.

Thank you, Yeah I am on roads alot, I was always told skull caps were the safest helmet are the Uvex just as safe do you reckon?

 

[IhaveTooMany]

MIPS is for very specific circumstances, I also come from cycling where it’s been a thing for a much longer time, my experience is they do fit differently to the non mips versions of the same hat which is why I have a mips one as it fitted better (CO MS1 - the JS1 is the equivalent and didn’t fit as well)

Great thank you

 

[Boughtabay]

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

When I bought my last helmet I used this ranking system as a guide - my understanding is that helmets are rated on impacts that could cause concussion, as well as high impact protection. At the time that I bought my previous helmet I balanced rating, what I could physically try on locally and price and there weren’t so many MIPS options that balanced all 3. I’m glad to see that now the top 3 are all MIPS and the one in third also seems more affordable - so the market is clearly developing.

It’s a US study so some helmets listed aren’t available here but I think most of the top ones are!

 

[MuddyMonster]

Thank you, Yeah I am on roads alot, I was always told skull caps were the safest helmet are the Uvex just as safe do you reckon?

I've no idea, to be honest! I don't personally like wearing a skull caps and knew I wanted a lightweight, ventilated hat as I ride a lot so chose the MIPS version out of those options.

 

[IhaveTooMany]

I had been looking for something like this %, thanks!

 

[Tiddlypom]

I love my Uvex Exxential ii with MIPs, it’s the most comfortable helmet that I’ve ever had. I can wear it for six hours a day and not get a headache.

I bought it for the MIPs, and I’ve never regretted that. It doesn’t look too weird, either .

 

[planete]

Uvex essential here too. It is supposed to lessen the movement of the brain inside the skull when you suffer a blow to the head which should lessen the danger of a brain bleed. It is also very lightweight and comfortable.

 

[tda]

I got a Uvex exxential after reading about them on here. It fits quite differently to my other hat, it has the dial for fitting. The inner frame? Sits quite low at the back but it is light on my head

 

[Glitter's fun]

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

When I bought my last helmet I used this ranking system as a guide - my understanding is that helmets are rated on impacts that could cause concussion, as well as high impact protection. At the time that I bought my previous helmet I balanced rating, what I could physically try on locally and price and there weren’t so many MIPS options that balanced all 3. I’m glad to see that now the top 3 are all MIPS and the one in third also seems more affordable - so the market is clearly developing.

It’s a US study so some helmets listed aren’t available here but I think most of the top ones are!

Interesting, thank you for the link.

Did I misunderstand that or do peaked helmets score better than the un-peaked version of the same hat?

 

[Boughtabay]

Interesting, thank you for the link.

Did I misunderstand that or do peaked helmets score better than the un-peaked version of the same hat?

No it does look like the peaked version scores marginally (0.02) better than the unpeaked - I wonder if the cover/outer material of the peaked version has some additional dampening effect in some tests the score is calculated over 12 impact tests that include high impact and low impact front back & sides to replicate the different situations that can result in concussions as well as fractures etc. it’s the only standardised peer reviewed impartial comparison I can find online at the moment!

They also compare other helmets e.g American football

 

[Expo]

I have two MIPS hats, which were recommended to me by a hospital consultant after I had a fall resulting in a head injury (hospitalised!). My consultant banned me from riding at all for 6 months after my fall, then "strongly suggested" I replace my head protection with MIPS technology helmets. I have a Uvex lightweight with a fixed peak and a Champion skull.

 

[Sprogladite01]

I've got a Charles Owen MS1 which I bought after two previous Uvex exxential ii hats. Both uvex hats had the inner shell break due to falls; by that point I was ready for a change. I like the CO but prefer the Uvex in terms of comfort, but must admit I do feel like my head is better protected in the CO. The CO also fits better with no faffing to make adjustments with the dial thingy. Either way, I think I'd always go for a MIPS hat over one without these days. I've whacked myself in the noggin too many times now lol

 

[webble]

I will only buy a MIPS hat now, I've had two falls in them (onto a road) and I think it massive reduced impact to my head & neck.

I wear a Uvex Exxential Ii personally.

Me too on both counts

 

[canteron]

I have just looked up the uvex essential as I need a new hat - and it looks good, however my nearest retailer is Amsterdam. Did you buy mail order or do they do the at shows (off to Burghley next month).

 

[Squeak]

Personally I'd just go for the hat that fits your head the best, if you have two that fit and one has MIPs and one doesn't then afaik MIPs has no detriment so I'd go for the one with MIPs.

I can't remember the details but I know that there were flaws in the study on hats mentioned above. It's definitely helpful but shouldn't be taken as gospel.

 

[MereChristmas]

I bought MIPS after a fall which did this to my hat and gave me concussion for a month.

 

[Boughtabay]

As i said up thread you have to balance what you want/need - which for me included finding retailers that were within a reasonable distance so I could have a hat fitted to MY head, alongside the study mentioned above and price point. I don’t believe you should buy a helmet that hasn’t previously been fitted to your head by a professional. The issue with the study linked is that forces applied are linear and not rotational (I believe). But it is a useful tool for direct comparison of different brands under equal circumstances- which is difficult to find otherwise in no way was I suggesting you ONLY use the rankings to make a decision.

 

[Cragrat]

I will be looking at this for my next hat - the only one AFAIK with SNELL standard (the highest) and MIPS

ARRO Helmet in Matt Black - MIPS and SNELL

This helmet can be used as a Skull cap and easily changed to a Peaked helmet with the clip of a visor. The first helmet in the world to feature MIPS and Snell combined with PAS 015. Featuring a Carbon Fibre / Kevlar Shell, exceeding test standards. Remote fitting service is available with this...

www.a2bequestriansafetycentre.com

 

[Skib]

I was thinking HS1 but no MIPS.
Im thinking MIPS is the safest way to go am I right?

I wore HS1 hats for years. I hack year round and it always seemed over-kill. They had Snell too.
But the last time I needed a new hat, in February 2022, our saddler insisted I try MIPS instead. She fitted me with a Charles Owen MS1 Pro. And instructed me that unlike the HS1, the MIPS had goes on from the front and rests higher on ones head than my former riding helmets. That means it doesnt press down on the back of ones neck which suits me, as previously my neck was always bruised by the back of my hat when I fell.

I havent actually fallen off since Feb 2022 but I find the hat cool in summer and very comfortable. However, I have just examined it and it has no further security standard labelling.

Adding a personal note. OH and I have always been battily over-anxious about rider safety. I always wanted to ride but when we married, and in view of the risk and knowing people who had died riding, I promised OH I wouldnt ride. After 9/11 and the attacks on the London buses and underground close to where I work, we (like many others) re assessed risk and I decided to start riding. I was over 60 and our children had left home. But I always bought expensive safety wear.

 

[IhaveTooMany]

Charles Owen seems to dominate, would you reckon uvex and CO are the same in safety or would one be better than the other. I don't know why but I feel like I steer away from CO - no idea why! Maybe something I was told or read?

 

[IhaveTooMany]

Is there any independent safety testing of various current riding hats? Have been looking for this but not finding anything at all online.

 

[paddy555]

Champion MIPS for us. I read everything I could find, there was a problem with fitting as there were no local tack shops with them in stock to try within a very large radius so, as I already had a Champion I hoped a MIPS one the same size would fit. It didn't however it fitted OH perfectly who fell in love with it. He kept it and I just ordered the next size for myself which also fitted. We are both very happy with them. Mine is the sort that looks like a traditional riding hat. OH has a cover on his.
I've always been a Champion brand for the fit person.

 

[Hackback]

I have just looked up the uvex essential as I need a new hat - and it looks good, however my nearest retailer is Amsterdam. Did you buy mail order or do they do the at shows (off to Burghley next month).

I have the same question. Anyone?

 

[KatieDM]

Came back to riding early this year and decided to go with a Charles Owen MS1 Pro with MIPS. Just thought it best to go with something sturdy and safe, considering I’m almost 35 with a kid. No complaints. It’s definitely a bit larger and mushroom-y, and my head does get a bit warm, but it fits great (went to a local tack shop and she ordered in and fitted for me) and I feel safe in it. If you’re looking for something more stylish and streamlined, I’d say steer away from a skull cap and go for a peaked one. However, I personally don’t mind at the moment. I may get a CO EQX with MIPS as a second hat at some point, now I’ve got back into the swing of things.

 

[ditsyponies]

It does depend on what fits you however I think why not go for Mips for added protection. The research behind it is substantial and it is only the equestrian community that have started using it late - very popular in cycling etc. I have always worn Champion as they just fit my head best, they do have lots of different Mips hats and I don't think it is hugely more expensive than the non-mips versions plus I saw on hat ratings (I think Virginia Tech) they have the top 4 spots.

 

[Hackback]

How do Champion compare to Charles Owen for fit? I've wasted my money on two Charles Owen over the years (latest one a MIPS) because they give me such a headache I can't wear them. My HS1 is comfy but they don't do MIPS (and to be honest it's huge enough to start with!)

 

[KatieDM]

How do Champion compare to Charles Owen for fit? I've wasted my money on two Charles Owen over the years (latest one a MIPS) because they give me such a headache I can't wear them. My HS1 is comfy but they don't do MIPS (and to be honest it's huge enough to start with!)

Not sure — I’m one of those with a Charles Owen head. Champion squash me! So maybe Champion would work better for you? Charles Owen do have round or oval fit now in a lot of their hats.