Does MIPS mean it's a good helmet?

[Tasie777]

Hi

I'm looking to get a helmet, specifically a MIPS approved/certified helmet. I'm looking at the Virginia Tech Bicycle Helmet Ratings (250ish helmets), some helmets have overall mid to low rankings even though they are MIPS. They put a particular helmet (a sample set of 4/5) through series of low and high impact tests.

Of the highly ranked helmets I've seen that can be purchased in SA, I'm leaning toward (all in the R1400-R1900ish region):

- GIANT REV Comp MIPS Helmet (rated #12 on the list - available from bike-addict)

- SCOTT ARX Plus Helmet 2023/2024 - (rated #41, available from bike-addict, sportsmans warehouse)

 

Then there's the TITAN Shredder MIPS MTB Helmet (2024) - available from bike addict and Olympic Cycles in Cape Town, Around R1400-R1500. It is MIPS, but not being on the list is the reason for my question about MIPS = Good helmet (i.e. good protection in the case of low or high impacts) or nah?

The Titan's 5-YEAR CRASH REPLACEMENT HELMET WARRANTY is also a key selling point.

 

An example of some MIPS helmets I would have considered to be good given the price, but rankings are average on the list of 250

- FOX Mainframe Mips Helmet (#133 on the list - between R1500 and R1700)

- GIRO syntax MIPS (#132 on the list - around R1900+)

 

My knowledge on helmets is very surface level, so if there are more factors to consider besides the above - safety first - (fitment, ventilation, camera mount etc.) happy to hear!

Thanks

[thebob]

Get the highest rated Virginia Tech helmet you can afford. All helmets have to go through ANSI, SNELL etc tests to be approved for sale, bit the Virginia Tech tests are the latest and seem to be the most comprehensive. You only get one brain, so protect it. That is not to say cheap helmets are bad or that pricey helmets are good. The same goes for the technology, such as MIPS, that goes into them.

Getting the correct sized helmet is vital. It has to be the correct size and shape for your head. If not, it will not protect your head as it should.

I'd also suggest looking at the Specialized Align as a well priced helmet that is relatively affordable and that does well in the Virginia Tech ratings.

https://www.specialized.com/za/en/align-ii/p/1000207922?color=1000207926-1000207922

Edited Monday at 06:48 PM by thebob

[ChrisF]

13 minutes ago, Tasie777 said:

Hi

I'm looking to get a helmet, specifically a MIPS approved/certified helmet. I'm looking at the Virginia Tech Bicycle Helmet Ratings (250ish helmets), some helmets have overall mid to low rankings even though they are MIPS. They put a particular helmet (a sample set of 4/5) through series of low and high impact tests.

Of the highly ranked helmets I've seen that can be purchased in SA, I'm leaning toward (all in the R1400-R1900ish region):

- GIANT REV Comp MIPS Helmet (rated #12 on the list - available from bike-addict)

- SCOTT ARX Plus Helmet 2023/2024 - (rated #41, available from bike-addict, sportsmans warehouse)

 

Then there's the TITAN Shredder MIPS MTB Helmet (2024) - available from bike addict and Olympic Cycles in Cape Town, Around R1400-R1500. It is MIPS, but not being on the list is the reason for my question about MIPS = Good helmet (i.e. good protection in the case of low or high impacts) or nah?

The Titan's 5-YEAR CRASH REPLACEMENT HELMET WARRANTY is also a key selling point.

 

An example of some MIPS helmets I would have considered to be good given the price, but rankings are average on the list of 250

- FOX Mainframe Mips Helmet (#133 on the list - between R1500 and R1700)

- GIRO syntax MIPS (#132 on the list - around R1900+)

 

My knowledge on helmets is very surface level, so if there are more factors to consider besides the above - safety first - (fitment, ventilation, camera mount etc.) happy to hear!

Thanks

 

Also have a look at the range at Specialized

[tinmug]

MIPS is no more than a standard, ie the allowance of the helmet to rotate on impact (an over simplification …). 
 

Five-year-crash-replacement warranty is nice, but it says nothing about the effectiveness of the helmet. 
 

if it was my money I’d look at reputable brands and hunt north of mid-range. Another vote for Specialized (their helmets are not even all that expensive). 

[Rapunzel]

Choose a helmet which fits your head properly as the advantages of mips will quickly be negated by an ill- fitting helmet. Heads come in different shapes so you may need to try a few brands to find the right fit.

[Tasie777]

Thanks everyone, this works out nicely as I will be in the Bellville / Durbanville area tomorrow and will pop in at the Specialized store there👍

[madmarc]

Check out cyclelab as well they have some good deals on MIPS helmets

[Paul Ruinaard]

MIPS is a good idea so thats a starting point -  but like the 70's very famous bell helmet ad - if you have a 10 buck head then wear a 10 buck helmet. Specialized is reputable and widely distributed and a crash replacement policy is cool as well. 

[HenryS]

Leatt helmets have the 360° Turbine system which effectively does the same thing as MIPS.

[Mamil]

And trek has the wave cell doo Dat but it's quite heavy I find. And I also think met stops airflow so the turbines that give me a cool head don't work properly.

Mips was the first of these rotational systems I think.

[Shebeen]

20 hours ago, Paul Ruinaard said:

MIPS is a good idea so thats a starting point -  but like the 70's very famous bell helmet ad - if you have a 10 buck head then wear a 10 buck helmet. Specialized is reputable and widely distributed and a crash replacement policy is cool as well. 

I'm pretty sure those Virginia tech ratings will show very little correlation between price and helmet safety. 

Obviously don't go for the R200 Raleigh from Makro, but I think the R1.5k range is probably the sweetspot. Anything more and you're paying for advertising and not safety

[RobynE]

The best helmet is one that fits your head and has the necessary safety ratings. I’ve yet to find a MIPS helmet that actually fits my head properly hence I don’t have one. 
 

Virginia Tech ratings are a great starting point.
 

In horse riding one of their top rated helmets is less than $40. Yet the $200+ helmets (which are very popular in SA and sell from anything from R12k to R20k) get zero stars or a maximum of 2. The irony is that those expensive helmets will still sell for 50% of their new price second-hand. Amazing what people will pay for popularity while forgetting why helmets actually exist. 

[Frosty]

3 hours ago, RobynE said:

I’ve yet to find a MIPS helmet that actually fits my head properly hence I don’t have one.

I’ve never purchased the same helmet brand twice. The current one is a MET and it’s the best fitting one yet. The Lazer and MET have MIPS, while the Giro, Bell, Garneau, Rudy Project and others were all just regular lids.

[taveshen]

Recently grabbed a Tactic 4, #4 on the list for 1700. No complaints so far

[guidodg]

yup, the mid priced Specialized MIPS helmets are really good!

[Tasie777]

On 12/25/2024 at 8:01 PM, taveshen said:

Recently grabbed a Tactic 4, #4 on the list for 1700. No complaints so far

Can you share where you got it from and in what color? The yellow one is currently on special for R1600 but I’m not so sure I can pull off that color 😊