MIPS Technology in Charles Owen riding helmets
As the leader in equestrian safety helmet technology, Charles Owen is nearing the pinnacle of total protection for the rider and innovative ways of adding protection have become necessary.
Charles Owen has embraced MIPS technology as a way to ‘top up’ the safety of some of their already triple-tested, triple-certified riding helmets.
The adoption of MIPS provides further protection to reduce brain shear in riding accidents involving falls at speed.
What is MIPS helmet technology?
MIPS (Multi-Directional Impact Protection System) is an additional brain protection system.
The MIPS system was invented in 1996 in Sweden by Hans von Holst, a neurosurgeon and Peter Halldin, a researcher from the Royal Institute of Technology.
MIPS is designed to add protection against rotational motion (or kinematics) transmitted to the brain from angled impacts to the head, which is how most riders fall.
Rotational motion is a combination of rotational energy (angular velocity) and rotational forces from angular acceleration that both affect the brain and increase the risk for minor and severe brain injuries.
MIPS’ added protection system has been proven to reduce rotational motion when implemented in a helmet by redirecting energies and forces otherwise transmitted to the brain.
How does MIPS work?
MIPS is an additional liner that is incorporated inside the riding helmet.
This low-friction layer enables your head to move 10-15mm in all directions, which has been proven to reduce the rotational movement to the brain and therefore injury (particularly concussion and traumatic brain injury).
The core idea behind MIPS is to simulate and enhance the brain’s own protection system, which uses the same principle of the brain being able to slide a little bit against the skull.
MIPS explanation video
My PS
With an outershell made of ABS plastic, the My PS gives riders the elegant look of a Charles Owen helmet infused with modern style and a deep fit.
Ten ventilation slots, a removable cup headband and a six-point GRpx® leather-look harness help to tick all the boxes of a truly modern, innovative riding helmet.
MS1 Pro
A truly new jockey skull with its added MIPS technology. No other skull cap has incorporated MIPS before.
With the three certifications to three international equestrian standards, riders can feel truly protected as they ride the gallops or simply hack out.
The ABS outershell offers a deep fit made secure with the unique padded harness. Ten ventilation slots and removable cup headband add to the functionality of this new skull.
Benefits of MIPS in a Charles Owen helmet
Charles Owen is known globally for producing riding helmets with multiple certifications to multiple international safety standards.
By testing and certifying to several standards, Charles Owen has the opportunity to address multiple accident scenarios in their helmets, thereby increasing protection in a fall and reducing injury.
The MIPS layer adds protection against tangential forces from typical impacts to the head. It will not replace the coverage already held by the helmet safety standards, but instead add to them.
Charles Owen’s mission has always been to produce riding helmets that are more effective against horse-related injury.
This is how Charles Owen is a standard above its competitors.
Charles Owen is increasing the number of multiple-standard helmets that incorporate MIPS technology as a way to extend protection against injuries such as bleeding of the brain.
Whilst MIPS technology is not adequate protection in itself for riders, it does give additional coverage against head injury similar to the addition of airvest technology on top of traditional foundation body protection.