If you’ve shopped for helmets recently, you’ve almost certainly encountered the acronym MIPS. It appears on helmets from Bell, Smith, Giro, and a growing list of motorcycle-specific brands. But what exactly is MIPS, does it actually work, and is it worth the extra cost? Here’s everything you need to know.
What Is MIPS?
MIPS stands for Multi-directional Impact Protection System. It’s a technology developed by Swedish neurosurgeon Hans von Holst and engineer Peter Halldin in 1996, initially for bicycle helmets, and now expanding rapidly into motorcycle and other helmet markets.
The core component of MIPS is a thin, low-friction slip liner — typically bright yellow — positioned between the EPS foam liner and the interior comfort padding. This liner is designed to allow the helmet to rotate slightly (about 10–15mm) relative to the wearer’s head during an angled impact.
Why Does Rotational Motion Matter?
Traditional helmet safety testing focuses primarily on linear impacts — a direct, perpendicular blow to the top or sides of the helmet. However, real-world crashes rarely involve perfectly vertical impacts. Most crashes involve some degree of angular or oblique force, where the head strikes the road at an angle while moving forward.
This type of angled impact generates rotational motion in the brain — the kind associated with diffuse axonal injuries (DAI), subdural hematomas, and concussion. Unlike linear impact energy, which is absorbed effectively by EPS foam, rotational motion requires a different mitigation strategy. MIPS provides this by decoupling the helmet shell from the head, allowing the helmet to rotate with the road surface while the head inside experiences significantly less rotational acceleration.
What the Research Says
Independent testing by the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab, which rates helmets on a 1–5 star scale based on comprehensive impact testing protocols including rotational force, consistently awards MIPS-equipped helmets higher ratings than their non-MIPS equivalents. A 2019 study published in the Annals of Biomedical Engineering confirmed that MIPS helmets reduce rotational acceleration in oblique impacts by an average of 10–15% across multiple test conditions.
Critics note that 10–15% is a modest improvement, and that a well-designed conventional EPS liner outperforms a poorly designed MIPS helmet. The technology is not a substitute for quality — it’s an enhancement to quality.
MIPS Alternatives: WaveCel, SPIN, and OMEGA
MIPS isn’t the only rotational energy management system on the market. WaveCel, developed by Trek, uses a collapsible cellular structure within the liner that both absorbs linear impact and manages rotational energy simultaneously — eliminating the need for a separate slip layer. SPIN (Shearing Pad INside), developed by POC, uses silicone gel pads that compress and shear during oblique impacts. Arai uses a rounded outer shell shape designed to deflect and redirect impact forces without a separate liner system, arguing that glancing-off deflection is more effective than attempting to absorb oblique forces.
Each approach has merit, and the research on comparative effectiveness is ongoing. What’s clear is that rotational energy management is now recognized as a critical component of comprehensive helmet safety.
Is MIPS Worth the Extra Cost?
MIPS typically adds $20–$50 to the cost of a helmet. Given the evidence supporting its effectiveness and the low cost of the upgrade, most safety advocates recommend choosing a MIPS-equipped helmet when comparing otherwise equivalent models. The technology has proven reliability and a strong independent research base.
However, a MIPS helmet that fits poorly is less safe than a well-fitted non-MIPS helmet. Fit remains the single most important factor in helmet protection. Choose a correctly fitted, certified helmet first — then look for MIPS as a bonus if available in your chosen model.
Which Motorcycle Helmets Include MIPS?
MIPS is more common in cycling helmets but is appearing in an increasing number of motorcycle models. Bell is the most prominent motorcycle helmet brand incorporating MIPS technology across its lineup, including the Bell Star MIPS, Bell Race Star Flex DLX, and Bell Qualifier DLX MIPS. Other brands are licensing the technology or developing proprietary alternatives, so the selection will continue to grow in coming years.
The Bottom Line
MIPS is a genuine safety advancement supported by independent research and real-world testing data. It’s not magic, and it doesn’t replace the fundamentals of fit, certification, and quality construction — but it does meaningfully reduce one specific and significant type of brain injury risk. For the modest price premium, it’s a feature worth prioritizing when available in a helmet that meets your other criteria.