What is M.I.P.S, definition :
Multi - Directional - Impact - Protection - System
In the event of a fall, the most important thing is the energy that the helmet will absorb by deforming or breaking, rather than causing damage to your skull or brain!
As the diagram below shows, even a good helmet can put you at risk in this respect!
How does it work?
MIPS is an additional layer inside the helmet.
In a MIPS helmet, the shell and liner are separated by a low-friction layer (as in the image below), allowing the helmet to slide relative to the head in the event of an oblique impact.
The outside of the helmet absorbs the main impact. MIPS allows your head to move a little inside the helmet.
Here's a video from Bell showing how it works:
What happens on impact?
During an impact, the inner foams dissipate the force of the impact. What's more, the elastomer straps stretch to allow the foam to move smoothly between the low-friction membrane and your head.
Even if the MIPS system only rotates a few millimetres, this movement is enough to reduce the amount of rotational force that could be transferred to your brain.
