MIPS Helmets
Maximum safety for head and brain
Revolutionary MIPS technology is an essential component of high-quality riding, ski and bikehelmets. But what are the advantages of MIPS in everyday sports and in what way is head protection improved by the new safety concept?
What is MIPS?
The abbreviation MIPS stands for Multi-Directional Impact Protection System. The technology was developed to provide the helmet wearer with the best possible protection against head and brain damage, especially in the event of a fall with a glancing impact as a result of rotational movement.
In practice, a helmet with MIPS protection contains an additional floating shell which sits close to the head. In the event of a glancing impact, the MIPS system minimises the force acting on the skull and brain during the abrupt stop of the rotational movement. This is achieved by a sliding span of 10 to 15 millimetres configuration for the shell. As a result, the MIPS floating system significantly reduces the risk of injury to the skull and brain in the event of a fall.
Reliable head protection for rotational falls
So-called rotational falls often occur when, for example, the front wheel of a bicycle locks on an obstacle or during landing after a jump. Similar effects also occur in equestrian sports when the rider falls, for example, while riding on a rough, uneven trail. By wearing a MIPS helmet, rotational forces acting on the brain are absorbed, which significantly reduces the risk of injury to the head and brain and thus provides an additional level of safety.
MIPS helmets offer maximum safety for outdoor sports
Especially when cycling, whether riding in the city or mountain or road bike riding, personal safety can be improved substantially by wearing a helmet with the MIPS system. In the event of a fall, the impact is often lateral or at an angle, which can lead to an abrupt stop in the rotational movement of the head and thus quickly cause damage to the brain.
uvex riding and cycling helmets with MIPS system
uvex offers a wide range of riding and cycling helmets with MIPS protection. The MIPS system is integrated into uvex helmets in such a way that sports enthusiasts do not have to compromise on ergonomics and comfort. Thanks to the close cooperation between uvex and MIPS developers, the essential features of a high-quality cycling and riding helmet are retained, e.g. design, comfort and innovation, while at the same time increasing both safety and protection.
MIPS in uvex cycling helmets
Explore more cycling helmets with MIPS
MIPS in uvex riding helmets
During the summer of 2021, the ADAC tested 14 cycling helmets according to the following four criteria:
- Ease of use & comfort
- Protection in case of accident
- Heat resistance
- Harmful substances
In addition to 9 conventional cycle helmets, five cycle helmets with MIPS technology were included in the test. The uvex city i-vo MIPS was the test winner in the ADAC comparison, achieving an overall score of 1.8 (1 = outstanding, 5 = deficient). The reliable accident protection, excellent ease of use and good ventilation were rated particularly positively.
Frequently asked questions about the MIPS system
In which helmet types is the MIPS system used?
MIPS is used in helmets for all sports in which rotational forces can occur. This includes riding, cycling, ski and climbing helmets.
Does MIPS affect the weight of the helmet?
Sports helmets with MIPS protection weigh only about 30 grams more than helmets with conventional safety systems.
How does a conventional helmet differ from a helmet with MIPS?
Most uvex helmets use inseparable, connected shells to provide head protection (outer and inner shells).
The MIPS provides an additional floating shell to the helmet, which is movable and rests directly against the head. The floating system absorbs centrifugal and rotational forces, which significantly reduces the risk of injury to the head and brain.
Who developed MIPS?
In 1996, the university professor emeritus and Swedish neurosurgeon Hans von Holst began to investigate the question of why athletes often suffered injuries to the skull, brain or neck in falls, despite wearing helmets. His research focused on the design of the helmets commonly worn by accident victims at that time. He was supported in his research by engineer Peter Halldin, a young scientist at the Swedish Royal Institute of Technology (KTH).
Their research revealed that the actual accident and impact scenarios differ fundamentally from theoretical scenarios. In theory and in the resulting helmet design, it was assumed that an accident would result in a linear impact (similar to an apple falling from a tree or a bicycle falling sideways). However, according to the research of van Holst and Halldin, actual falls lead to an impact that is preceded by a rotational movement.
The rotational motion can be thought of as a thrown football by a professional football player: As the ball moves forward through the air, it simultaneously performs a rotational movement around its longitudinal axis. Something similar happens to the human body when it falls or is thrown off a bicycle or a horse. Even a slight rotation around the axis transverse to the direction of the fall can be considered a rotation.
