I don’t think it’s just a marketing scam.

I don’t think so either (I read your very interesting article). However, I still don’t think I need it over and above what protection “normal” helmets give. But it’s my ‘ead. (Well, and my son’s, cos I buy his (non-MIPS) helmets. And I care more about his safety than anything else. Anything else full stop.)

Thank you Barney for your cards on the table credentials.
I’m a Consultant Neuropsychologist specialising in traumatic brain injury. I have three bike helmets, all have MIPS.

I have been using Sweet Bushwacker lids for years and have crashed whilst wearing both MIPS and Non-MIPS versions. I think I’ve written off one non-MIPs and two MIPS. The last off was a corker with broken ribs and fairly hefty wack to my head. It’s fair to say the helmet did it’s job well. I’ll continue to use MIPS helmets. I also have a Sweet Falconer road helmet with MIPS.

If you really care about rotational forces, 6D helmets are the way to go – there is simply more movement in all dimensions in the outer EPS shell than MIPs. They do make you look a bit more mushroomy though. Small price to pay if you have already had a few bangs to the head IMO.

Rexated. Good man! I’d love to have a beer with you some time; we could bore everyone else under the table 😀

Raybanwombie – that sounds pretty interesting. I’d be interested in learning more about 6D ones ( can’t say I’ve ridden them either). Although simply having more movement doesn’t mean much in and of itself – it’s how that rotational movement is dissipated that’s important… I will instruct the bods at Singletrack to investigate…

I do find this really funny after all the stick I got a few years back for saying the rotational forces were important and the conventional helmets make it worse.

One study I saw – experimental with full body dummies found conventional helmets increased injury because of the rotational forces in 30% of all cases and this is one possibility as to why as helmet wearing rates go up serious head injuries per mile ridden do not go down significantly.

MIPS may not be the whole answer and indeed if it adds weight and bulk that may have unintended secondary effects but it certainly looks like a step forward. My next helmet will be MIPs if I can find one that meets the rest of my criteria ( low profile, no peak, no sticky out bits, good fit)