Table of contents
What Is MIPS Riding Hat Technology How Do MIPS Riding Hats Work Are MIPS Riding Hats Safer How To Fit Your MIPS Riding Hat Shop Our Range of MIPS Riding Hats Summary Of MIPS In Riding Helmets Frequently Asked Questions About MIPS Riding Hats Found Our Article On MIPS Riding Hats Useful? Then You Might Also Like These
What Is MIPS Riding Hat Technology
MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) is a safety technology used in riding helmets designed to reduce rotational forces transmitted to the brain during angled impacts.
The MIPS technology has been developed into a MIPS Riding Hat by Mips a company that specializes in helmet-based safety and is a world-leader in this area
MIPS is a world-leader in helmet-based safety and the protection of the human brain. Based on an ingredient brand business-model, MIPS Brain Protection System (BPS) is sold to the global helmet industry. The BPS solution, which is patented in all relevant markets, is based on 20 years of research and development together with the Royal Institute of Technology and the Karolinska Institute, both located in Stockholm, Sweden
The technology aims to reduce the risk of brain injuries, particularly concussions and more severe traumatic brain injuries that can result from rotational forces.
MIPS - World's First Safety Helmet With MIPS Brain Protection System
How Do MIPS Riding Hats Work
Here's how MIPS Riding Hats work: Traditional helmets are primarily designed to protect against linear impacts, but many real-world accidents involve angled or rotational forces that can cause the brain to rotate inside the skull. MIPS Riding Hats addresses this by incorporating a low-friction layer inside the helmet that allows the helmet to slide relative to the head during impact, redirecting and reducing rotational motion.
The system consists of a thin, low-friction layer (typically yellow) that sits between the helmet's comfort padding and the outer shell. During an angled impact, this layer allows the helmet to move independently from the head for the first 10-15 millimeters of movement, which can significantly reduce the rotational forces transferred to the brain.
Are MIPS Riding Hats Safer
MIPS makes riding helmets safer by addressing a critical gap in traditional helmet protection - rotational brain injuries from angled impacts.
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Traditional Helmets: Standard riding helmets are excellent at protecting against direct, straight-on impacts by crushing and absorbing energy. However, most riding accidents involve angled impacts - when you hit the ground at an angle, fall sideways, or your head strikes an object obliquely. These angled impacts create rotational forces that cause the brain to twist inside the skull, potentially leading to serious injuries like concussions, diffuse axonal injury, and other traumatic brain injuries.
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How MIPS Riding Hats Solves This: The MIPS layer acts like a "slip plane" inside the helmet. When you experience an angled impact, instead of all that rotational force being transmitted directly to your head and brain, the helmet's outer shell can rotate slightly on the MIPS layer while your head remains more stationary. This redirection and reduction of rotational energy can significantly decrease the strain on brain tissue.
MIPS Riding Hat Safety Benefits
- Reduces peak rotational acceleration by up to 40% in testing
- Provides protection during the most common types of riding falls (sideways, backward, or forward at angles)
- Works alongside traditional impact protection rather than replacing it
- Activates automatically - no special technique required
How To Fit Your MIPS Riding Hat
It is always best to have a fitting for a new riding hat and we offer a professional riding hat fitting service. Our experienced fitter of riding hats can offer you a one to one service, ensuring you purchase exactly the right riding helmet.
Shop Our Range of MIPS Riding Hats
Summary Of MIPS In Riding Helmets
Why MIPS Matters for Horse Riders: Equestrian activities involve
- Significant height (being mounted)
- Speed, and an unpredictable partner (the horse).
- Falls often result in complex, angled impacts with the ground.
MIPS technology helps protect against the brain injuries that traditional helmets alone cannot fully address, making it particularly valuable for riders who face these multi-directional impact risks.
Frequently Asked Questions About MIPS Riding Hats
What is a MIPS Riding Hat and how does it work?
A MIPS Riding Hat includes a MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) is a low-friction layer inside the MIPS riding helmet that allows the outer shell to slide 10-15mm relative to your head during angled impacts. This sliding motion redirects rotational forces that could otherwise cause brain injuries.
Do I really need MIPS Riding Hat, or is a regular helmet sufficient?
While any certified riding helmet is better than none, MIPS Riding Hat provides additional protection against rotational brain injuries from angled impacts - the most common type of riding accident. Given the serious nature of head injuries, many riders consider the extra protection worth the investment.
Are MIPS Riding helmets more expensive?
Yes, MIPS Riding helmets typically cost £20-50 more than their non-MIPS equivalents. However, prices have become more competitive as the technology has become more widespread.
Do MIPS Riding helmets feel different to wear?
Yes almost every style of riding helmet can fit slightly differently.
Whilst the MIPS layer is thin and integrated into the helmet's padding system. Some riders report feeling a very slight movement when adjusting the helmet, but this doesn't affect normal wearing.
Do MIPS Riding helmets meet the same safety standards?
Yes, MIPS Riding helmets must still meet all standard safety certifications (PAS 015, SNELL E2001, ASTM F1163) plus provide the additional rotational protection. They don't replace traditional safety features - they enhance them.
Found Our Article On MIPS Riding Hats Useful? Then You Might Also Like These
Gilly Davidson
Gilly has run Barnstaple Equestrian Supplies since 2015. Over this time Gilly has built up a wide range of knowledge across many equestrian products.
