Freelance features writer Julie Brown:
You only have one brain, and although your head is a tough cookie, it can be damaged in a fall. We explore technology that can help
I’m a big advocate of all things safety, so I was fascinated to speak to the CEO of MIPS, an organisation that has changed the landscape when it comes to helmet protection.
AS RIDERS, WE are all aware that a fall from our horse could be just around the corner. We hope it never happens and for some of us it rarely does, but it pays to be fully protected, just in case. Our head is the most vulnerable part of our body and deserves our best endeavours to keep it safe. Luckily for us there are brainy bods around the world working on doing just that, and one system in particular, known as MIPS, has made a big impact on safety.
Introducing MIPS
MIPS stands for Multi-directional Impact Protection System. It is found inside some riding helmets, usually between the comfort padding and the energy-absorbing highquality foam. In certain types of falls, MIPS reduces the forces on the brain, lessening the incidence of severe brain damage or death. MIPS is used in helmets worn in a range of potential high-impact sports, including horse riding, cycling, motorcycling, snow sports and rock climbing, as well as in the construction industry, where head trauma is a risk. MIPS is an optional safety add-on and isn’t fitted in all helmets.
In the beginning
In 1996, the Swedish brain surgeon Hans von Holst became curious about why so many people were ending up on his operating table with brain traumas — many severe — even though they were wearing a helmet when they fell. Many of the helmets weren’t even damaged.
Working with the Swedish Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, he began biomechanical research on head and neck damage prevention, which concluded that the then current protection against head injury was inadequate. The novel research focused on what happened to the brain inside the head in the event of a fall by mimicking real life accidents. As a result, along with institute researcher Peter Halldin, Hans helped to develop groundbreaking helmet technology that would significantly reduce brain injury. Enter MIPS.
Technology in action
“In a head-on or linear impact, the brain is protected from damage by, initially, the helmet liner and then the skull,” explains MIPS CEO Max Strandwitz. “However, falls where the head receives an impact at an angle are much more common.”
This type of fall causes the head within the helmet to rotate and, as it twists, the brain experiences rotational motion too, meaning that it absorbs some of the impact. Being particularly sensitive to
rotational motion, damage can occur.
“MIPS is a shield which, when placed in the helmet, redirects the energy by ensuring the helmet rotates slightly around the head,” continues Max. “The low friction of MIPS allows a sliding motion of 10-15mm in all directions, reducing the forces transmitted to the brain during impact.”
The system has undergone exhaustive tests and research over 20 years, with the first MIPS helmet, a riding hat, being made available in 2007.
“We took the helmet to the Gothenburg Show and sold out,” says Max. “However, it became clear quite quickly that although MIPS was doing the job extremely well, we weren’t great at designing helmets, and now we provide the system to helmet manufacturers to include in their ranges, and we concentrate on the technology aspect.”
Max and his team now supply to over 100 manufacturers across the globe, and the sport of motocross has so far been the biggest adopter of the system.
Manufacturers’ views
Charles Owen has adopted MIPS into three of its helmet styles.
“We see MIPS as the gold standard in safety and My PS, which has the system, is one of our most popular helmets — even Charlotte Dujardin wears one,” says managing director Alex Burek. “As I see it, anything we can do to help save lives is worth investing in and we are constantly looking at new technologies.”
The company realises there is still some way to go when it comes to educating riders in hat safety and why it’s so important. “We still see riders choosing their helmet on how it looks, or because of current trends, and this is often at the expense of safety, with some of these helmets only achieving one out of the three standards available.
“MIPS is such an important piece of technology and riders need to be educated in this and safety standards in general,” adds Alex. “We’ll continue to seek investment to provide more helmets with MIPS”.
Champion is also using MIPS, and it is currently installed in 11 of its styles.
“We’ve been looking at the system for 10 years now and initially we struggled with how to test a hat for stability while it was also designed to move,” explains brand director Helen Riley. “We’ve now got around this, and quickly made the decision to get MIPS in as many helmets as possible.”
The company is pleased with the result as it improves the rotational motion and effects of impact significantly.
“It does increase the cost of helmets, and the helmet needs to be good to start with. I don’t see MIPS becoming compulsory for some time as it’s price sensitive and we need to offer consumers a helmet in all price ranges so everyone is protected,” adds Helen.