If you’ve shopped for a helmet recently, you’ve probably noticed words like “MIPS” or “WaveCel” popping up. They aren’t just fancy names or new branding; they’re advances in helmet design that target the forces we don’t always think about when we crash.
Most traditional helmets were built to protect against direct impacts. They featured a hard outer shell and a foam liner designed to cushion a straight‑on hit. But falls aren’t always that simple. In reality, when you crash, your helmet often rotates or twists upon impact. Those rotational forces can cause serious brain injuries, and that’s where MIPS and WaveCel come in.
What is MIPS?
MIPS stands for Multi‑Directional Impact Protection System.
It’s a low‑friction liner added inside the helmet that allows the shell to move slightly relative to your head. In a crash, that movement can reduce rotational forces transferred to your brain. In plain language: it’s like a shock absorber that doesn’t just protect from a direct hit, but also from the twisting forces that can cause a concussion.
What is WaveCel?
WaveCel is a collapsible cellular structure built into the helmet.
Developed with help from biomedical engineers, WaveCel acts like a crumple zone in a car. Its structure flexes, compresses, and shears upon impact, dissipating both linear and rotational forces. The result is a helmet that absorbs more of the energy from a crash, regardless of its angle.
Which One is Right for You?
Both MIPS and WaveCel represent advances beyond traditional helmet design. Both are tested and proven to reduce the risk of brain injury. The right choice depends on your fit, style, and preference; and in many ways, the best helmet is the one you’ll wear every time you hit the slopes.
The Big Picture
Today’s helmet technology doesn’t just protect against hard impacts; it’s built for the reality of how we fall. By focusing on rotational forces as well as direct hits, MIPS and WaveCel helmets have changed the way we think about safety. Whichever one you choose, you’re making an investment in more confident, more comfortable days on the mountain (and equipment you can trust when it matters most!)
Frequently Asked Questions About MIPS:
MIPS stands for Multi‑Directional Impact Protection System. Inside the helmet, between the foam padding and the shell, there’s a low‑friction layer that allows your head to move slightly (about 10–15mm) relative to the helmet when it’s hit at an angle. That tiny movement can make a big difference. By letting the helmet slide just a bit, it absorbs and redirects the rotational forces that can cause brain injuries.
The MIPS layer is placed between the EPS foam and the helmet padding. You won’t notice it when you put the helmet on — it doesn’t affect fit or comfort — but it’s there doing its job every time you crash.
Not really. The MIPS layer weighs roughly 25–45 grams — about the weight of an energy bar. It doesn’t affect how the helmet feels when you’re riding, but it can make a significant difference if you crash.
It’s worth considering for anyone hitting the slopes. Angled impacts — a fall off a rail, a catch of an edge, a tumble through trees — happen to skiers and riders every season. MIPS doesn’t replace a helmet’s core protection, but it adds a valuable layer of defense against the forces that traditional helmets don’t always address.
MIPS is a low‑friction liner that allows the helmet to rotate slightly on angled impacts, reducing rotational forces. WaveCel is a cellular structure built into the helmet that compresses and shears to absorb both linear and rotational impacts. Both work to reduce brain injury risk, just using different engineering.
The helmet itself lasts about three to five years with regular use, regardless of MIPS. Like any helmet, it should be replaced if it’s been in a significant crash or shows signs of wear.
No. MIPS is built into the helmet’s design and can’t be added later. If you want the benefits, you’ll need to choose a helmet that has MIPS built in.
Yes. All MIPS‑equipped helmets must still pass national and international safety standards (such as ASTM F2040 or CE EN1077), so you get both the baseline protection of the helmet and the added benefits of MIPS.