The complete guide to MIPS riding helmet. What every rider needs to know.

By Erik Lidén, Co-founder YELM Protection · Reading time: 8 minutes

Quick answer:

A MIPS riding helmet is an equestrian helmet equipped with a Multi-directional Impact Protection System,  a low-friction layer between the outer shell and the inner liner that allows the helmet to rotate 10–15 mm during an angled impact. This rotation redirects rotational force away from the brain, reducing the risk of traumatic brain injury in the type of falls that are most common in riding.

If you ride, you have probably heard about MIPS. You may have seen the yellow dot on bicycle helmets, ski helmets, or motorcycle helmets. What is less well known is that MIPS was developed specifically with rotational injuries in mind, and rotational injuries are exactly what happen when a rider falls off a horse.

In this guide, I want to explain what MIPS actually does, why it matters more for equestrian falls than for almost any other sport, and what you should look for when choosing a riding helmet. I will also be honest about the trade-offs, the certifications that matter, and how often a riding helmet should be replaced.

In this article:

• What is MIPS, and how does it work?
• Why rotational force is the real risk in riding falls
• EN 1384:2023 and ASTM F1163-23, the certifications that matter
• How often should you replace a riding helmet?
• MIPS as standard versus MIPS as an upgrade
• How to choose the right MIPS riding helmet
• Frequently asked questions

What is MIPS, and how does it work?

MIPS stands for Multi-directional Impact Protection System. It was developed in the late 1990s by Swedish neurosurgeon Hans von Holst together with researchers at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Stockholm, after von Holst noticed that traditional helmets did a good job of preventing skull fractures but not brain injuries. The technology is now licensed by MIPS AB to helmet manufacturers across cycling, skiing, motorcycling, and equestrian sports.

The mechanism is deceptively simple. Inside a MIPS-equipped helmet, there is a thin low-friction layer, usually a yellow plastic liner, sandwiched between the outer shell and the foam liner that sits against your head. When the helmet receives an angled impact, the outer shell can rotate 10 to 15 millimetres independently of the inner liner. That small amount of slip absorbs the rotational energy that would otherwise be transmitted to the brain.

Without MIPS, the helmet, your skull, and your brain all move together when you hit the ground at an angle. The brain rotates inside the skull, stretching nerve fibres and blood vessels. This is the mechanism behind concussions, diffuse axonal injuries, and many longer-term consequences of head trauma.

Why rotational force is the real risk in riding falls

Most riding falls are not straight-down impacts. They are angled. You come off the horse sideways, you hit the ground with your head at an angle, your helmet skids before it stops. 

Standard helmet certifications, including the European EN 1384 and the American ASTM F1163, test helmets primarily against linear impacts. A weight is dropped onto the helmet from a fixed height, and the certification measures how much force is transmitted to the test head. This testing is necessary, but it does not capture what actually happens when a rider falls.

Independent research has consistently confirmed this. The Virginia Tech Helmet Lab, one of the most respected independent helmet rating bodies in the world, publishes equestrian helmet ratings using a 16-test protocol that includes both pendulum impacts (simulating falls when the horse is moving slowly) and oblique drop tests (simulating falls at speed). Their findings show that helmets with rotational impact protection systems consistently outperform those without. The Swedish insurance company Folksam, which has been independently testing equestrian helmets since 2014, has reached the same conclusion in their 2018 and 2021 tests.

EN 1384:2023 and ASTM F1163-23, the certifications that matter

If you are buying a riding helmet, two certifications should be non-negotiable. The first is EN 1384:2023, the European standard for equestrian helmets. The second is ASTM F1163-23, the American equivalent. 

EN 1384:2023 specifies impact attenuation, retention system strength, helmet stability, and the area of the head that must be covered. ASTM F1163-23 adds slightly different impact criteria and is mandatory for many American competitions. Most premium European riding helmets, including ours, are certified against both.

There are other standards you may encounter, VG1 01.040:2014-12 was an interim European standard that has now been replaced by EN 1384:2023, and PAS 015 is a British standard that is sometimes referenced for higher-impact disciplines. The full text of European standards is published through bodies such as CEN. A helmet certified to EN 1384:2023 + ASTM F1163-23 is suitable for the vast majority of riding contexts.

MIPS itself is not part of these certifications. A helmet can be certified without having MIPS, and a helmet with MIPS still needs to pass the underlying impact tests. MIPS is an additional protection layer on top of certification, not a replacement for it.

How often should you replace a riding helmet?

The general rule across the industry is to replace a riding helmet every three to five years from the date of first use, or immediately after any significant impact — even if you cannot see damage. The foam liner that absorbs energy in a fall is single-use. Once it has been compressed, it does not return to its original protective state.

Three factors affect how quickly a helmet ages: ultraviolet light (sunlight), sweat and moisture, and temperature extremes. A helmet that lives in a hot car or hangs in direct sunlight on a tack room hook will degrade faster than one stored in a cool, dry place. The plastic shell can become brittle, and the foam can lose density.

If you have a fall, even a fall that did not feel particularly hard, replace the helmet. The foam may have compressed in a way that is invisible from the outside but that has eliminated its ability to absorb a second impact. Many manufacturers, including ours, offer a discount on replacement helmets after a documented crash, precisely because we want riders to replace rather than reuse a compromised helmet.

MIPS as standard versus MIPS as an upgrade

Not every brand treats MIPS the same way. Some include it as standard in every helmet they make. Others offer it only on premium models, or as an optional upgrade for an extra €50 to €200. A few brands, including some of the most prestigious names in equestrian sport, do not offer MIPS at all.

From my perspective as someone who has spent two decades building protection equipment, the question of whether MIPS should be standard or optional has a clear answer. Rotational protection should not be a luxury feature. It addresses the most common injury mechanism in riding falls. Asking a customer to pay extra for it sends the wrong signal about how seriously the brand takes head injury prevention.

This is why we built our Hybrid Helmet 2.0 with MIPS as standard across every variant. There is no MIPS upgrade and no non-MIPS version. If you wear a Y/ELM+ helmet, you have rotational protection.

How to choose the right MIPS riding helmet

If you are shopping for a MIPS riding helmet, work through these questions in order:

• Is it certified to EN 1384:2023 and ASTM F1163-23? If not, look elsewhere. These are the baseline standards for an equestrian helmet sold in Europe and competed in internationally.
• Is MIPS included in the price, or is it an upgrade? If it is an upgrade, calculate the total cost — and ask yourself whether the brand's pricing structure reflects the importance they place on rotational protection.
• Does the helmet fit you correctly? MIPS only works if the helmet stays in place during a fall. A helmet that is too loose will rotate before MIPS can do its job; a helmet that is too tight will create pressure points and discourage you from wearing it. Use the manufacturer's size guide and measure the circumference of your head 2 cm above your eyebrows.
• How much does it weigh? A heavier helmet is more fatiguing on long rides and can affect neck strain in a fall. Premium helmets typically weigh between 500 g and 700 g. Ours is 550 g.
• Is there a magnetic or single-hand closure? This is not a safety feature, but it is a daily-use feature that determines whether you actually fasten the helmet properly every time you ride — especially when wearing gloves.
• What is the brand's replacement policy after a fall? A reputable brand will offer a discount or replacement programme. This signals that they expect you to replace the helmet after a crash, rather than continue using a compromised one.

Frequently asked questions

Does MIPS replace the need for an EN 1384 certification?

No. MIPS is an additional rotational impact protection layer that sits on top of standard certification. A MIPS-equipped helmet still needs to pass EN 1384:2023 and ASTM F1163-23 impact testing. You should never buy a helmet that has MIPS but lacks underlying certification.

Is MIPS proven to reduce concussions?

Independent testing by institutions such as Folksam in Sweden and the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab in the United States has consistently shown that helmets with rotational impact protection systems transmit less rotational force to the test head than helmets without them. Rotational force is strongly associated with concussion and diffuse brain injury, so reducing it is expected to reduce these injuries. Real-world epidemiological studies are still ongoing.

Can I retrofit MIPS into a helmet I already own?

No. MIPS is a complete inner system that must be designed into the helmet from the start. Retrofit kits are not legitimate. If you want MIPS protection, you need to buy a helmet that was built with it.

How can I tell if a helmet has MIPS?

Genuine MIPS helmets carry the MIPS logo on the helmet itself, on the packaging, and in the product specification. The yellow MIPS liner is usually visible when you look inside the helmet. You can also verify a brand's MIPS partnership directly on the MIPS website. If a brand uses an alternative rotational protection technology, they should disclose this clearly in the specification.

Is MIPS worth the extra cost?

If MIPS is offered as an upgrade for €50 to €200, my answer is yes — rotational protection is the single most important upgrade you can add to a riding helmet. But the better question is why a brand sells rotational protection as an upgrade at all. We chose to include it as standard because we do not believe brain protection should be optional.

How is the Y/ELM+ Hybrid Helmet 2.0 different from other MIPS helmets?

Our Hybrid Helmet 2.0 combines MIPS as standard with EN 1384:2023 and ASTM F1163-23 certification, a magnetic single-hand closure, a weight of 550 g, and a modular accessory system that allows you to fit a Silva headlight or a Tocsen crash sensor without modifying the helmet. It is designed in Sweden and built for riders who do not want to compromise between protection, daily usability, and aesthetics.

A note from the founder

Y/ELM+ was started because Alexandra could not find a helmet that felt both genuinely protective and like something she actually wanted to wear. I came from the ski protection industry, where rotational protection had been standard for years, and I could not understand why riding lagged behind. You can read more about that journey on our about page.

If there is one thing I want every rider to take from this article, it is this: rotational protection is not optional. Whether you choose us or another brand that takes MIPS seriously, please make sure your next helmet has it. Your brain is worth more than the €100 a brand might be charging you to add it as an upgrade.

And if you are also looking at a safety vest to go with your helmet, I have written a separate guide explaining EN 1621-2 Level 2 vest protection and how the two products work together.

Ride safe, ride free.

— Erik Lidén

About the author

Erik Lidén is the co-founder of YELM Protection. Before starting YELM in 2021 with Alexandra Berhe, Erik spent two decades in the ski protection industry, including senior product roles building head and body protection equipment used by world-class athletes. 

Explore the YELM Hybrid Helmet 2.0 — MIPS as standard, EN 1384:2023 + ASTM F1163-23 certified, 550 g, magnetic closure. From 3,900 SEK with free shipping and 30-day returns. Browse the full helmet collection or learn more about MIPS technology.