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MIPS provides an extra safety feature, mitigating the twist your head experiences in a crash Latin American Motorcycle Association
MIPS stands for Multi Directional Impact Protection System. What that means is that when your head is wearing a MIPS helmet and it strikes an object at an angle, which is how most impacts occur, the MIPS liner inside the helmet acts like a shim for your head that allows your outer helmet layers to twist independently before—or instead of—your head twisting, potentially mitigating injuries that result in a concussion or worse.
MIPS is a relatively simple technology, just a plastic layer inside your helmet that allows the helmet to move independently of your head. But even as important as the technology is, it’s in relatively few helmets so far. So have a look at this list of MIPS-equipped helmets you can buy right now.
Since I got my own MIPS helmet, I haven’t worn anything else since. Not that there’s anything in my head worth saving, but what is in there I desperately need. You, too.
Also, be sure to get a helmet that meets DOT standards at a minimum, indicated by the DOT FMVSS No. 218 sticker on the back. If you can get one that also meets the stricter ECE 22-06 standards, and that has MIPS technology in it, all the better.
Read on, then do your brain a favor and buy one. Then get a motorcycle airbag. But that’ll be a different list.
The Qualifier DLX Mips full-face helmet has features gleaned directly from Bell’s flagship Star line at an affordable price. Those features include Velocity Flow ventilation, removable, washable liner and cheek pads, and a padded wind collar. The fancy ProTint photochromic face shield adjusts to any light conditions you’ll encounter, plus integrated audio compartments make room for your electronics.
Available in a wide variety of colors including the Hart Luck Live Matte Gold you see here.
The MX-9 Adventure Mips is meant for ADV riders, who sometimes wander off pavement to find adventure. Bell says “this go-anywhere helmet gives you the best of both dirt and street. It’s designed to adapt to your version of adventure.”
The latest MX9 has an integrated anti-fog, anti-scratch clear face shield that flips up and leaves enough room for goggles in extreme conditions, or it can be removed completely. The adjustable visor can also be removed for street riding. MIPS protection, Velocity Flow ventilation, and a removable, washable, antimicrobial liner round out a highly adaptable package.
In addition to being equipped with the latest Mips® technology, ZR1's Range Mips Dual Sports helmet sports a multi-density EPS liner for impact absorption, an injection molded polycarbonate shell that is lightweight, compact and strong, and a fully removable polyester moisture-wicking liner and cheek pads.
Its versatile design can be used with or without the face shield (hardware for the conversion is included). The drop-down sun visor makes the helmet versatile in all lighting conditions. There's a scratch-resistant polycarbonate shield and an adjustable and removable visor. It's DOT and ECE 22.05 approved, not as good as ECE 22.06, but still good.
Available in Flat Black, Black, and Dark Silver
With its highly detailed finish, ICON calls this helmet “...a high-voltage sugar cube,” adding that the Airflite ReDoodle is “...the Outer-Space toon-stew power-hat for which you've been waiting.”
It features the latest rotational-reduction system from MIPS, ICON’s Hydradry interior liner, an internal DropShield that includes Fog-Free Clear Fliteshield, the visually defining RST red Forceshield and superior venting.
“So get your ReDoodle and get ride-ready,” ICON intones. “You never know when someone will drop an anvil out a window. It’s looney out there.”
This unique exterior has ICON’s Rubatone finish with “a mottled vision of earth-toned hues,” as ICON describes it, while the new Forceshield enables a clear line of sight. Inside, like the ReDoodle above, the Demo features the latest rotational-reduction system from MIPS, a removable Hydradry liner, internal dark smoke Dropshield, and the included fog-free clear Fliteshield. “Wherever your next assignment takes you, the Demo will lead you through the assault,” ICON promises.
“With gloss up front and matte out back, the Airflite™ Jewel is two sides of the same classy coin,” ICON says.
The Jewel features the latest rotational-reduction system from Mips. Hydradry interior liner, internal DropShield, included Fog-Free Clear and Dark Smoke Fliteshields, and superior venting that complete “the metallic perfection of the Airflite Jewel.”
Available in blue, gold, and silver.
AGV does not put the actual MIPS sticker on its helmets, nor does it claim any MIPS affiliation. MIPS is a trademark of a Swedish company that does all the extensive MIPS testing at its lab in Stockholm. But AGV says its standards meet or exceed those of MIPS and that its helmets incorporate features to address the sudden rotational acceleration which MIPS addresses.
“AGV Extreme Safety Protocol is AGV’s own level of standard that we made to exceed DOT/ECE standards,” AGV said in an email. “It is a way of testing the helmets to make sure they not only pass all the regulatory safety standards but exceed them. All helmets with ECE 22-06 have passed MIPS... ALL full face sport/touring/Urban helmets have this.”
So the K6 you see here meets all DOT and ECE 22-06 standards and should offer the same protections as any MIPS-stickered brain bucket.
Plus, it has a shell made of carbon and aramid fibers for strength and lightness that comes in four different shell sizes, an aerodynamic exterior “to reduce turbulence and optimized for all riding positions,” five adjustable front vents and one wide rear vent, an interior of Ritmo and Shalimar fabric cheek pads, Shalimar fabric liner, AGV’s dry moisture wicking system, room for a wide variety of eyeglasses, and it weighs only 2.95 pounds. It’s similar to the more expensive K6 S.
The only question you may have is whether AGV helmets really meet or exceed MIPS-style standards, but AGV assures us they do.
This is a modular helmet, popular with cruisers and cross-country tourers. The chin bar swings up and out of the way for city cruising, then flips back down for high-speed wind blasts.
One cool thing about this helmet is it not only meets the newest ECE 22.06 regulation but also the dual P/J homologation, meaning it meets those standards with the chin bar up or down.
“The Tourmodular has been designed to tackle long trips with maximum comfort and safety,” AGV says.
It’s outer shell is made of carbon fiber, aramid fiber, and fiberglass. Its soft interior is made of Ritmo and Shalimar fabric with a custom fit system that “guarantees immediate absorption of moisture and sweat.” It also has an integrated sun visor, and an efficient integrated ventilation system.
I’ve been wearing this for a couple months now every time I ride. Sedici is the in-house brand of Cycle Gear and RevZilla. Its inexpensive price tag doesn’t mean it’s flimsy. With its combination of fiberglass and aramid fiber construction, it meets standards for both DOT FMVSS No. 218 and ECE 22-05 certification.
Its modular construction means you can flip up the chin bar at stop lights and breathe easier, then flip it down when you get back underway. The chin bar release tab is easy to find and operate even with gloves on, though I find myself sometimes searching a bit for the visor lower lip that serves as the visor release. There’s a dark smoke internal drop down sun visor that deploys with a glove-friendly slider on the lower left side.
Inside is a moisture-wicking interior that offers an antimicrobial treatment and is easily removed for washing, Cycle Gear says, though I haven’t tried washing mine yet.
Small panels of padding at the forehead and temples allow you to adjust the fit with 5mm of customization. Mine is very comfortable, blocking out road noise and wind thanks to a new, more aerodynamically efficient shape and a well-sealed visor.
Overall, it’s the perfect setup for touring or cruising at an affordable price. And having the added protection of MIPS, especially at such a good price, makes it all the better.
Without the flip-up chin bar of the Sistema II, the Strada II is even more affordable. The outer shell is made of fiberglass and DuPont Kevlar fiber construction for lightness without sacrificing strength, as witnessed by both its DOT and ECE certification.
The shape is very close to the Sistema, with an aero exterior that reduces both lift and wind noise. The shield is quick release and has an anti-scratch surface that, so far, has kept my Sistema clear as the day I bought it.
There are two chin vents and three crown vents, with three exhaust vents at the back, which mean cool riding on hot summer days. Or the vents can be shut for colder temps. Likewise, the inner padding can be molded to your individual noggin. At three pounds five ounces it’s light.
All but one of the above have been street helmets. But in case you ride in the dirt, MIPS has you covered there, too. Let’s start with a Fox helmet. The Fox V3 RS Black Carbon Helmet has MIPS as well as an updated Magnetic Visor Release System (MVRS) which positions the visor with a center post magnet and two side shear-off screws. The visor is designed to flex under impact prior to breaking away to provide additional rotational impact management. There’s also a dual-density “Varizorb EPS liner” that spreads impact forces across a wider surface area.
The V3 is compatible with the Eject Helmet Removal System to make getting it off in the case of an accident easier on the head and neck of the crash victim. Multi Composite Technology Shell construction blends Carbon and FRP resins to provide what Fox calls a light yet rigid external shell.
The V3 comes in four shell and EPS sizes for what Fox says is best-in-class fit. Injected mesh vent screens provide superior ventilation and airflow, while maintaining protection from dirt and debris. Removable, washable X-Static comfort liner should keep this helmet comfortable and fresh. Emergency release cheek pads are antimicrobial and manage odor while wicking moisture away from the rider’s head. It even has carbon-fiber D rings.
Alpinestars says the M10 motocross helmet is the result of over five years of intensive study, development and testing. The primary objective was “...to create the most high-performance protection possible,” Alpinestars said. The secondary objective was to give excellent ventilation, comfort, and reduced weight.
Alpinestars says the M10’s surface curvature promotes reduced friction on impact, allowing deflection and the most efficient transfer of energy to protect the rider’s head from direct force to the skull, neck, and spinal column. The aperture is designed to accommodate a wide variety of goggles, and the air vents in the shell are located to maximize ventilation efficiency.
Alpinestars also makes mountain bike helmets, as well as driving suits for some of the top names in motorsports.
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