Nothing can be scarier than falling from your bike while riding on a rocky path.
That’s why it’s essential to wear a helmet to protect your head from sudden impacts. As a result, MIPS or the Multi-Directional Impact Protection System has come up as a leading choice for riders due to its safety against rotational trauma to the brain.
But, due to the sheer number of options, it can be challenging to pick the right MIPS helmet. Hence, we thought of creating this list of the best MIPS bike helmet models currently available on the market.
Are MIPS Bike Helmets Worth It?
Even though some people don’t term the MIPS technology to be a better choice, the helmets are definitely better at handling angled trauma. Tests done by brands have shown that MIPS helmets at least perform 10% better in dealing with rotational impacts.
The MIPS works in a two-fold way to protect your head. First, the impact is sustained by Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) foam liners that absorb the initial force of the crash. Then, the sliding mechanism of the slip-plane moves to reduce the maximum level of impact from reaching your brain.
This helps lower the chances of concussions or extreme brain injuries caused by a sudden fall. Hence, if you like to bike through uneven paths or even crowded areas, it’s worth spending on a well-fitted MIPS helmet.
Best Overall MIPS Bike Helmet
Let’s start by looking at one of the best MIPS helmets available on the market at this moment.
The Z20 MIPS helmet fares well in almost all ratings if you’re looking for protective gear. And, it hails from Bell, a brand that was among the first to introduce MIPS helmets.
This helmet stands out due to its design, where the inner EPS foam liner is fused to the outer polycarbonate shell. This gives a lightweight yet sturdy helmet meant to reduce the impact of rotational forces.
Another level of width adjustment is made possible by the cushioned cradles present at the rear end of the helmet. Two large X-Static pads have also been added to absorb sweat and gently cushion your head for added comfort.
We also found that this MIPS helmet would suit the taste of various riders because of its high-end feature-based design. Moreover, the competitive price makes it a worthy product for amateur and professional riders alike.
What we like:
- Well-ventilated
- Adjustable and comfortable
- Sleek design
What we don’t like:
- Slightly heavy
Best Budget MIPS Bike Helmet
At times, most biking helmets, especially the MIPS kind, may seem too expensive. But, the Giro Fixture MIPS helmet is undoubtedly unique in its approach by providing much-needed protection and comfort at an affordable price.
What’s more, this helmet comes with an adjustable harness system with Giro’s high-end Roc Loc Sport system for a proper and snug fit. It has 18 tunnel vents with internal channeling to maintain airflow for a comfortable biking experience. In addition, a large visor to improve visibility while biking on a sunny day.
To our surprise, it even has reflectivity to increase visibility while riding in the evening or at night. Plus, this breezy helmet is available in twelve colors and designs, allowing you to represent your style.
This helmet comes in a universal size, suitable for the head shape of most men and women.
What we like:
- Great fit
- Impressive performance
What we don’t like:
- Limited visor adjustability
Best MIPS Mountain Bike Helmet
The Giro Manifest Spherical bike helmet is slightly different in its approach to the MIPS design, as it uses a dual shell. Its design includes small elastomers connecting the EPS foam liners present in both shells. Hence, the top shell can move independently in the case of an impact to provide adequate protection.
Furthermore, this mountain bike helmet has advanced adjustability provided by the Roc Loc Trail harness. It lets you create a personalized tension on the straps to get a snug fit, ensuring that the helmet won’t come off or cause discomfort when riding on rocky trails.
Other noteworthy features of this helmet include 19 wind tunnel vents, a moto-style screw-in visor, and antimicrobial XT2 padding for sweat absorption.
In general, it’s an excellent men’s and women’s helmet for those who want an airy yet robust product for riding in all kinds of weather.
What we like:
- Excellent ventilation
- Comfortable
- Fantastic coverage
- Great protection
What we don’t like:
- Expensive
Best MIPS Full Face Mountain Bike Helmet
For those looking for a full-face mountain biking helmet, the Smith Mainline MIPS can be an excellent choice. This enduro helmet comes with dual protection provided by the MIPS system and the Koroyd, a breathable honeycomb-like material that can resist impact to increase safety.
Moreover, it receives the highest ratings in the area of comfort due to the presence of strategically placed pads to provide a better fit and soak up sweat. The helmet even comes with additional pads for self-adjustment.
Moving on, the striking feature has to be the outstanding ventilation with 21 fixed vents in the top, front, and back for proper airflow.
Therefore, even though this helmet is a bit pricey, we recommend it to those who often bike on adventurous mountain trails. This helmet has even got high ratings from professionals who take part in mountain bike racing.
What we like:
- Lightweight
- More robust
- Breathable
What we don’t like:
- A little expensive
Best MIPS Road Bike Helmet
People who like to bike for long hours would be impressed with the Bontrager Velocis MIPS helmet due to its all-day comfort design. However, what stood out to us the most was its adjustability, made possible by the BOA dial adjustment, which delivers a snug yet comfortable fit.
Like other MIPS helmets, this one has padding for shock absorption, but it feels lighter on the head due to fewer contact points. On top of that, the cooling ventilation system creates a uniform airflow to keep your head sweat-free while reducing the noise of roaring winds.
Overall, though this helmet can be a bit pricier, it’s a great option for those looking for a durable unit for everyday use.
What we like:
- Lightweight
- Comfortable and adjustable
- Well-ventilated
- high visibility colors
What we don’t like:
- Expensive
- High volume shape
Best Youth MIPS Bike Helmet For Kids
Finding the right biking helmet for a child can be challenging, but Giro makes the process easier by introducing the Tremor MIPS helmet, thanks to its universal youth and child sizes.
What makes this helmet different is that the inner MIPS layer is integrated with a Roc Loc adjustment system to the outer polycarbonate shell to ensure proper fit and safety.
On top of that, the Giro Tremor MIPS helmet has a higher coverage compared to other options as its design is based on a mountain bike helmet. Also, we appreciate the inclusion of five air channels and 18 vents as they provide airflow to increase comfort while biking.
Other notable features include an extended visor, a lightweight design, and quick-dry padding. This affordable helmet is available in seven fun colors across universal youth and child sizes.
What we like:
- Great ventilation
- Lightweight
- Adjustable
What we don’t like:
- So-so buckle
Best Commute MIPS Bike Helmet
Are you looking for a helmet for your daily commute? If so, then the Thousand Chapter MIPS can be an excellent choice as many city bikers prefer its retro style and easy-to-use design.
The integrated MIPS layer added to this helmet has top-notch impact absorption to protect against head traumas. We especially liked the pinch-free magnetic clasp, which lets you easily take off the helmet when in a hurry.
The excellent ventilation system and a premium visor make cycling during the daytime a breeze. What’s more, it has a pop lock hidden behind the Thousand logo that lets you attach the helmet to your bike to prevent theft. Also, the brand provides free replacement if your helmet gets damaged due to an accident.
What we like:
- Removable tail light
- PopLock feature
What we don’t like:
- Poor ventilation on hotter days
MIPS Bike Helmet Buying Advice
To help you choose the best MIPS bike helmet, we have gathered some essential points that you should check before purchasing. These points would surely point you to a helpful product, guaranteeing safety even while riding on the most adventurous roads.
Comfort
You should check a helmet for a proper fit, flexible foam paddings, and straps that don’t dig into your skin. Overall, a helmet should hug your head without becoming bothersome under any circumstance while riding.
Adjustability
Believe it or not, it’s often an ordeal for people to find the right-sized helmet that fits their head. This is especially true for women, who usually have a hard time finding a well-fitting helmet that’s also comfortable. Hence, pay attention to features like adjustable headbands and MIPS liners that adapt to your head.
Helmet Weight
No one likes to wear a helmet that weighs heavy on their head as it can be quite uncomfortable, especially while riding on hot days. Even though we prefer lightweight MIPS helmets, some models tend to be on a slightly heavier side to provide added protection.
Style
Along with the protective features, it’s just as essential to keep in mind the style. Thankfully, MIPS helmets have always been available in many styles, most of which lean towards modern tastes.
Ventilation
It’s hard not to notice the prominent slits on MIPS helmets, as these help in keeping your head sweat-free by increasing airflow within the helmet. That said, the number of slits may vary based on the model, so do check the ventilation ratings of a helmet to ensure comfortability.
Durability
To be honest, even the best MIPS helmets should be replaced after three to five years to ensure safety. Having said that, you should look for helmets with polycarbonate shells as they tend to last longer.
Conclusion
That’s everything we had to tell you about picking the best MIPS bike helmet. We hope you will find a great helmet from our top selections that were meticulously chosen after going through the ratings and reviews for each product.
Having said that, selecting the perfect helmet often boils down to someone’s personal choice. That’s why you may need to try on a couple of MIPS biking helmets before choosing the final one.
Also, don’t forget to measure your head before purchasing to make the process simpler and quicker. Until next time, goodbye, and happy biking!
