I’ve split helmets clean in half. I’ve rung my bell hard enough that I don’t remember skiing home. Some of those lids had MIPS. Some didn’t.
The question’s always the same. Does this yellow slip liner actually save your brain, or is it just another sticker companies slap on to charge more?
People throw the word “rotation” around like it’s a magic spell. The science is real, but it’s not simple. And no helmet makes you untouchable.
So let’s break it down without the marketing fluff.
What MIPS Actually Is
MIPS stands for Multi-directional Impact Protection System. Fancy name for a thin plastic liner that lets your helmet shell slip a little against your head. The idea is simple… when you crash at an angle, your head twists. That twist is what messes your brain up. MIPS is supposed to cut some of that rotation before it gets to your skull.
It doesn’t stop concussions. It doesn’t make you invincible. Think of it more like an airbag in a car. You can still get wrecked, but it takes the edge off the hit.
Most of the time you won’t even notice it’s there. Just a yellow liner inside your helmet that slides a few millimeters when you smack the snow.
What The Studies Say
There are actual lab tests on this stuff. Swedish researchers who helped create MIPS ran angled impact tests and found helmets with it cut rotational force by around 30 percent. Other studies land in the same ballpark. Not perfect. Not hype either.
On the snow it’s harder to prove. You can’t line up two crashes the exact same way. But injury data from ski and bike studies leans toward lower concussion risk with MIPS. Lower, not zero.
And remember… helmet fit and condition matter more than the yellow liner. A MIPS lid that’s loose or beat to hell won’t do much. A snug, modern helmet without MIPS is still miles ahead of riding bare-headed.
Marketing vs Reality
Helmet companies love buzzwords. MIPS, WaveCel, Koroyd – all pitched like they’re game changers. Some of it’s real tech. Some of it’s just a shiny sticker that helps them sell you the “Pro Model” for an extra fifty bucks.
The truth sits in the middle. MIPS does reduce rotation in lab tests. That’s good. But most riders won’t notice a difference day to day. What matters way more is that your helmet fits snug, isn’t cracked and gets replaced after big slams.
I’ve seen riders with five-year-old helmets bragging about their MIPS liner while the foam inside is basically dust. That’s not protection. That’s just an expensive hat.
So yeah, MIPS is a legit step forward. But don’t let the marketing blind you. A fresh, well-fitting helmet without MIPS is still better than an old beat-to-hell lid with it. And (almost) any helmet is better than no helmet.
Should You Pay Extra for MIPS?
If you’re buying new and the price jump isn’t insane, yeah, grab the MIPS version. You’re paying for a little extra margin of safety. Not a miracle. Not snake oil either.
But don’t blow your budget on MIPS if it means cheaping out on fit or comfort. A $120 non-MIPS helmet that actually fits your head will protect you better than a $250 MIPS lid that wobbles around.
What I Do (and Tell My Students)
I wear MIPS when I can, but I don’t obsess over it. If the helmet fits, feels good and has modern safety certs, I’m happy. I also swap mine out after a couple of big slams or every few seasons, whichever comes first.
That’s what I tell my students too. Don’t chase logos. Don’t keep riding in a helmet that looks like it’s been through a war just because it’s “MIPS.” Get something fresh that fits right and you’ll be ahead of the game.
Final Thoughts
MIPS works. Not like a forcefield, not like the ads make it sound, but it does take the edge off some hits. That’s worth something.
What it doesn’t do is save you from riding stupid. I’ve seen concussions in brand-new MIPS helmets and I’ve seen people walk away from gnarly slams in beat-up lids. The difference is usually speed, angle and luck. Mostly luck.
So yeah, buy MIPS if it fits your budget. But don’t think for a second it makes you bulletproof. Pick a helmet that fits, replace it when it’s done its job and keep your head in the game. The brain inside matters way more than the yellow liner.
