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MIPS
Mips stands for Multi-directional Impact Protection System. The system is built into the helmet, designed to protect the brain by reducing the damaging forces in the event of a fall from a horse.Visit MIPS Website -
How does Mips work?
Mips acts as an extra shell inside the helmet and allows the helmet to rotate in all directions without affecting the head. In other words, the helmet takes care of the rotational forces in the event of a fall from the horse, not your head. Therefore, it is a matter of course that our riding helmets must be equipped with the Mips® safety system. -
Why do I need Mips?
If you fall from a height or fall, you are more likely to hit your head sideways than to land squarely on your head. Oblique impacts create a rotational movement that the brain is very sensitive to. At best, with hard blows, you will manage with a minor concussion. If you are really unlucky, the brain tissue can be damaged. Mips is designed to protect the brain by reducing these forces. -
How are our riding helmets tested?
Our riding helmets are tested in two versions; one with and one without Mips. To be approved, the helmets need to reduce rotational forces by at least 10%. In most cases, the helmets significantly exceed this limit. The helmets are stressed in the forehead, from the side, from above, and the side from the front. The tests take place on all models and sizes, and are documented both via sensors and high-speed cameras.
Over the past two decades, a small group of passionate individuals based out of Sweden have made it their mission to find a way to further protect the brain from rotational force and strain when an impact occurs during a crash. From this group grew MIPS, which is short for Multi-Directional Impact Protection System. MIPS can be found in a variety of different helmets, from motocross lids to equine riding helmets.
What is MIPS?
How does it work?
MIPS works by installing a thin (0.5–0.7 mm), ventilated, custom cut low-friction layer inside the helmet liner. The layer is held in place by an assemblage of composite anchors that flex in all directions. These anchors hold the layer in place, around the head, but provide a small movement in response to angled impact. MIPS’ small movement (10-15 mm) relative to the helmet at the brief moment of an angled impact (3–10 milliseconds) allows the head to continue in the direction in which it was originally travelling. This means that some portion of the rotational forces and energies acting on the head at impact are redirected and spread out thanks to the large low-friction layer, rather than being transferred to the brain. Thanks to it’s thinness, lightness, and integration into the helmet’s existing ventilation, it’s rarely noticed by the wearer, even over extended periods of use.
How is it tested?
MIPS has evolved through study and testing in Sweden since 1996 by some of the world’s leading researchers in biomechanics and neuroscience at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology and the Karolinska Institute in Sweden. The two universities created a joint department called Neuronics. MIPS sprung out from a research project at Neuronics which also saw the development of a helmet test rig for angled impacts.
In addition to the angled impact test, MIPS has access to an advanced computerized finite element model of the head and neck that can be used for injury prediction in impact simulations. The computerized finite element model is an integral part of verifying that your helmet, with MIPS inside, delivers higher safety properties and redirects and reduces damaging rotational motion to the brain than the same helmet without MIPS.
To view a video of how MIPS helmets are tested, visit their website: mipsprotection.com/technology.
References:
Aare M. Prevention of head injuries – focusing specifically on angled impacts, Doctoral Thesis, Division of Neuronic Engineering, School of Technology and Health, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden. 2003.
Halldin P. Prevention and prediction of head and neck injury in traffic accidents – using experimental and numerical methods. Doctoral Thesis. Report 2001-1, Department of Aeronautics, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden, 2001.
Kleiven, S. (2006). Evaluation of head injury criteria using an FE model validated against experiments on localized brain motion, intra-cerebral acceleration, and intra-cranial pressure. International Journal of Crashworthiness 11 (1), 65-79.
