What Is MIPS—and Do You Really Need It in Your Bike Helmet?
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What Is MIPS?
MIPS stands for Multi-Directional Impact Protection System. It’s a very simple idea: when you crash, your head doesn’t usually hit the ground straight on—it hits at an angle. That angled hit twists your brain inside your skull. MIPS helps prevent that twisting.
Inside the helmet is a thin, flexible liner that can shift 10–15 millimeters on impact. That tiny bit of movement absorbs rotational energy before it reaches your brain.
Why Rotational Forces Matter
Most of the worst cycling brain injuries—concussions, shearing injuries, long-term cognitive problems—are caused by rotational forces, not straight-on impact. Traditional helmets protect you from skull fractures. MIPS helps protect your brain.
- Angled crashes are the norm. Very few cycling crashes involve a perfect straight impact.
- Your brain is soft. It can stretch and twist inside your skull far easier than people realize.
- MIPS reduces that twist. Even 10%–15% reduction can mean the difference between “I’m sore” and “I don’t remember the crash.”
Do You Really Need a MIPS Helmet?
If you’re buying a helmet in 2025, here’s the truth: yes. There’s no real downside. The weight difference is tiny, the cost difference is shrinking, and the safety benefit is real.
As a 70-year-old cyclist with decades of hard riding behind me, I won't ride without MIPS anymore. I've hit the ground enough times to know you rarely get to choose the angle of impact.
- Better protection for older riders. Our brains simply don’t recover as quickly in our 60s and 70s.
- More helmets include it by default now. It's becoming the industry standard.
- It adds safety without adding bulk. The helmet looks and feels the same.
My Helmet Recommendation
If you want a solid, affordable MIPS helmet that’s perfect for road, gravel, or everyday riding, here’s the one I trust:
🚴 My Top Pick (Affordable, Comfortable, MIPS)
Giro Fixture MIPS II — Excellent ventilation, lightweight, great price, and real-world crash protection. This is the one I use.
Check the Giro Fixture MIPS II on Amazon →Other Great MIPS Options
- Giro Syntax MIPS - Great airflow, strong crash-test performance, and widely available. A premium feel without the price jump.
- Bell Revolution MIPS - Budget MIPS option that still meets safety standards — perfect for cost-conscious riders.
- Smith Signal MIPS — Excellent style and airflow.
Do Cheaper Helmets Work as Well?
Most helmets sold today meet the same basic CPSC safety certification. The difference is fit, comfort, and rotational protection. A $60 helmet with MIPS is usually safer than a $120 helmet without it.
Signs You Need to Replace Your Helmet
- It’s more than 5 years old.
- It’s been in a crash—even a small one.
- The foam is compressed on the inside.
- The straps are frayed or loosen easily.
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