Understanding the Mips® safety system
WHY ROTATIONAL MOTION MATTERS
In many real-world motorcycle crashes, impacts occur at an angle rather than directly straight on. These angled impacts can expose your head to rotational motion, which studies have shown can be more dangerous than linear impacts.
Traditional helmet construction is highly effective at managing linear impact forces. However, real-world crash dynamics often involve both linear and rotation.
Understanding this difference is an important part of understanding how modern helmet safety systems are evolving.
WHAT IS THE MIPS® SAFETY SYSTEM?
The Mips safety system consists of a low-friction layer integrated inside the helmet. It is designed to help reduce rotational motion that might otherwise be transferred to the user’s head during certain angled impacts.
The system allows a relative movement of 10-15mm between the helmet and the head. In a crash, the low friction layer is designed to move slightly inside the helmet in order to help redirect the rotational motion away from the head.
The technology is designed to complement the helmet’s primary impact-absorbing structure and contribute to the overall safety of the helmet.
How the Mips® system Works Inside the Helmet
During an angled impact:
- The helmet shell and impact liner absorb the initial force.
- The Mips system allows a relative movement between the helmet and the head.
- This movement is intended to help reduce rotational motion that might otherwise be transferred to the rider’s head.
- The system works together with the helmet’s existing protective construction.
The Mips system does not replace traditional impact protection — it works alongside it as part of a layered safety system.
Why We Integrate the Mips® system in Select Voss Helmets
Helmet safety continues to evolve as research improves our understanding of real-world impacts.
The Mips® safety system represents an additional safety technology designed to help reduce rotational motion that might otherwise be transferred to the rider’s head during certain angled impacts. For this reason, Voss integrates Mips® safety system into select performance-focused helmet models as part of our commitment to advancing rider protection through modern safety solutions.
Our goal is to combine certified helmet construction with technologies that enhance overall protection without compromising comfort or fit.
The rotational motion can cause brain injuries.
The Low Friction Layer is the intended to help reduce the rotational motion to the head in certain angled impacts.
Real Helmet Integration
The Mips® safety system and Helmet Safety Standards
The Mips® system is designed to complement certified helmet protection systems. Voss helmets featuring the Mips® system continue to meet applicable helmet safety standards such as DOT and ECE certifications.
Helmet safety is achieved through multiple layers working together — including shell construction, impact-absorbing liners, retention systems, and additional technologies like Mips® safety system.
Our goal is to combine certified helmet construction with technologies that enhance overall protection without compromising comfort or fit.
HELMETS FEATURING MIPS® SAFETY SYSTEM
The following Voss helmet currently features the integrated Mips® safety system:
