Generally speaking, Ive always worn my helmets without a genie or balaclava or just a buff. however, I just bought a Smith Maze and spent the extra $30 on a MIPS equipped version. are the effects of that layer canceled out by wearing a beanie or slick balaclava because the low-friction Material would slide on the fabric of that? Or is it basically going to act the same way as it would on hair? Any insight would be helpful K+ to anyone with something useful to say.
Dec 13 2015 6:52PM
Connor_SullivanGenerally speaking, Ive always worn my helmets without a genie or balaclava or just a buff. however, I just bought a Smith Maze and spent the extra $30 on a MIPS equipped version. are the effects of that layer canceled out by wearing a beanie or slick balaclava because the low-friction Material would slide on the fabric of that? Or is it basically going to act the same way as it would on hair? Any insight would be helpful K+ to anyone with something useful to say.
Nah, you're fine, the low friction layer is between the innermost liner and the foam, doesn't matter what's under there, as long as the helmet fits, the MIPS will be doing its thing
Dec 13 2015 7:50PM
SammyDubznot to thread jack, but can someone give me a quick explanation of what MIPS is? like I know its supposed to be more protective but how? and is it worth the extra $$$?
I put this in a thread somewhere but probably will never find it again. The very short answer is that MIPS is a low friction layer in the helmet, either between the foam and shell, or the liner and foam that allows the outer portion to rotate independent of the inner portion, this helps the helmet protect you from twisting or angular impacts. There are a few variations of this idea, most of them involving the shell floating a little in some way. It's becoming cheaper and cheaper by the year, and right now I think the difference between non MIPS and MIPS helmets is somewhere around $30. For that price I am very pro-MIPS.
Not sure if that makes sense or you need more clarification?
Dec 13 2015 7:55PM
cydwhitI put this in a thread somewhere but probably will never find it again. The very short answer is that MIPS is a low friction layer in the helmet, either between the foam and shell, or the liner and foam that allows the outer portion to rotate independent of the inner portion, this helps the helmet protect you from twisting or angular impacts. There are a few variations of this idea, most of them involving the shell floating a little in some way. It's becoming cheaper and cheaper by the year, and right now I think the difference between non MIPS and MIPS helmets is somewhere around $30. For that price I am very pro-MIPS.Not sure if that makes sense or you need more clarification?
good looks thanks for the quick response. I'll have to do some more research on it. I need a new helmet anyway, and $30 isn't too bad of a price difference
Dec 13 2015 7:56PM
SammyDubznot to thread jack, but can someone give me a quick explanation of what MIPS is? like I know its supposed to be more protective but how? and is it worth the extra $$$?
Basically it works in the same way as your skull to mitigate rotational energy. A regular helmet is designed to take direct impacts, force such as a vertical drop directly onto your head. It protects against severe brain trauma and skull fractures. However in a real life scenario your impact isn't going to be linear, its going to involve some degree of rotation on an oblique impact (Tomahawk, regular crash, etc.) This is where you get concussions from or bleeding from the brain. so basically much like how the brain "floats" on cerebrospinal fluid which prevents it from smashing into the side of the skull and also removes some of the rotational energy, MIPS will allow the shell to work in the same way, moving independently from the inner layer dissipating some of the rotational energy helping to prevent concussions or similar brain trauma.
Dec 13 2015 7:57PM
cydwhitI put this in a thread somewhere but probably will never find it again. The very short answer is that MIPS is a low friction layer in the helmet, either between the foam and shell, or the liner and foam that allows the outer portion to rotate independent of the inner portion, this helps the helmet protect you from twisting or angular impacts. There are a few variations of this idea, most of them involving the shell floating a little in some way. It's becoming cheaper and cheaper by the year, and right now I think the difference between non MIPS and MIPS helmets is somewhere around $30. For that price I am very pro-MIPS.Not sure if that makes sense or you need more clarification?
Beat me to it, but yeah basically that.
Dec 13 2015 7:58PM
Connor_SullivanBasically it works in the same way as your skull to mitigate rotational energy. A regular helmet is designed to take direct impacts, force such as a vertical drop directly onto your head. It protects against severe brain trauma and skull fractures. However in a real life scenario your impact isn't going to be linear, its going to involve some degree of rotation on an oblique impact (Tomahawk, regular crash, etc.) This is where you get concussions from or bleeding from the brain. so basically much like how the brain "floats" on cerebrospinal fluid which prevents it from smashing into the side of the skull and also removes some of the rotational energy, MIPS will allow the shell to work in the same way, moving independently from the inner layer dissipating some of the rotational energy helping to prevent concussions or similar brain trauma.
good looks much appreciated :)
Dec 15 2015 1:08AM
Feb 22 2016 6:55PM
Connor_SullivanGenerally speaking, Ive always worn my helmets without a genie or balaclava or just a buff. however, I just bought a Smith Maze and spent the extra $30 on a MIPS equipped version. are the effects of that layer canceled out by wearing a beanie or slick balaclava because the low-friction Material would slide on the fabric of that? Or is it basically going to act the same way as it would on hair? Any insight would be helpful K+ to anyone with something useful to say.
Is this sizing and fit the same on the Smith Maze and Smith Maze MIPS?
I need a new helmet and not sure whether to get the POC MIPS or Smith maze MIPS
Feb 22 2016 7:19PM
.lenconIs this sizing and fit the same on the Smith Maze and Smith Maze MIPS?I need a new helmet and not sure whether to get the POC MIPS or Smith maze MIPS
The Receptor Backcountry MIPS fits awfully, and doesn't work the same way as true MIPS, the MAZE fits beautifully. in terms of durability the Poc blows it out of the water, but comfort and fit wise the Maze beats it
Feb 22 2016 7:25PM
Feb 23 2016 6:43AM
shin-bangAs most park rats do, we pull the ear pads and stuff out of the helmet. Does MIPS still do it's job, and does the helmet still perform properly without te extra padding.
I'm hesitant to say it works completely with goggles under the helmet because it feels slightly limited. But it does have some range of motion especially when you're pressing down on your helmet.
Feb 23 2016 10:10AM
Connor_SullivanI'm hesitant to say it works completely with goggles under the helmet because it feels slightly limited. But it does have some range of motion especially when you're pressing down on your helmet.
I have the giro ledge mips and put my goggles underneath the helmet and the strap outside the mips pieces at the back so it should be holding the mips lining closer to my head.
the ears on the ledge have no bearing on the mips system and the padding on the main of the helmet is a single, relatively thin pad skullcap which just velcros to the mips layer and so i see no reason why taking this out would affect the mips system if you prefer to wear a balaclava or hat underneath.
the ledge doesnt have padding like i have seen on other helmets and they seem to have understood not everyone likes their helmet worn as packaged in the boxand so theyve made it functional when stripped back,
(the goggle clip is removable on the ledge, which is a plus)