Thoughts on off brand MIPS helmet

[trailblaz234]

Hello everyone, I'm a newcomer to cycling, and the day before yesterday, I impulsively bought a Co-op Cycles DRT 1.1 Mountain Bike from REI. Haha.

Now, I'm looking to buy a helmet with MIPS certification because I've learned online that the MIPS system is very safe. However, I've looked at many helmets and found that the ones with MIPS certification are quite expensive! They can cost around $80 to $300. I understand that you need to replace your helmet after every significant impact, so these big-name brand helmets are beyond my budget (buying the MTB was an impulsive purchase, and I don't want to make the same silly mistake with the helmet).

I've noticed that some off-brand helmets have MIPS certification, such as the Outdoor Master MIPS Helmet Gem. I've seen this helmet is much cheaper. I won't provide a link here. My thought is that since it's a helmet with MIPS certification, it shouldn't differ much in terms of functionality. So, I wanted to ask for everyone's advice here. Has anyone used an off-brand MIPS helmet? How did it feel?

 

[jmdirt]

Hello everyone, I'm a newcomer to cycling, and the day before yesterday, I impulsively bought a Co-op Cycles DRT 1.1 Mountain Bike from REI. Haha.

Now, I'm looking to buy a helmet with MIPS certification because I've learned online that the MIPS system is very safe. However, I've looked at many helmets and found that the ones with MIPS certification are quite expensive! They can cost around $80 to $300. I understand that you need to replace your helmet after every significant impact, so these big-name brand helmets are beyond my budget (buying the MTB was an impulsive purchase, and I don't want to make the same silly mistake with the helmet).

I've noticed that some off-brand helmets have MIPS certification, such as the Outdoor Master MIPS Helmet Gem. I've seen this helmet is much cheaper. I won't provide a link here. My thought is that since it's a helmet with MIPS certification, it shouldn't differ much in terms of functionality. So, I wanted to ask for everyone's advice here. Has anyone used an off-brand MIPS helmet? How did it feel?

MIPS isn't a certification, its a system (Multi-directional Impact Protection System). Helmet manufacturers buy the system and 'build' it into their helmets.

Off-brand helmets are cheaper because they use inferior materials and processes, and frequently no testing. I doubt that most off-brands have actually purchased MIPS, they probably just mounted a piece of plastic in the helmet and call it mips. Outdoor master is sold in the USA so I assume that they have purchased the actual MIPS otherwise they would be in court?

I don't know what your budget is, but if you shop sales, you can almost always get $150+ MIPS equipped helmets for $50-70.

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Helmet fit is a very important for safety and comfort so I encourage trying them on before purchasing if you can.

 

[froze]

You should go to the Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings site and check out the helmets.

The best one for less than $85 that you didn't want to spend that much on, is the Giant Rev Comp MIPS helmet for just $65; it's also rated #10 which is high up on the scale, and especially when considering the price.

 

[froze]

Tempted by cheaper off-brand MIPS helmets? Hold on! While they offer potential savings and MIPS tech, consider the trade-offs:

• Safety first: Check for DOT/ECE/Snell M2020 certification, crucial for impact protection. Unknown quality in off-brands can be risky.
• Do your research: Dig deep into specific helmet reviews and safety testing data. Don't rely solely on brand promises.
• Remember: Your head, your call. Prioritize safety over price. Consider established brands for proven performance.

Beyond brands: Explore different helmet types (full-face, modular, etc.) to match your riding style and prioritize both safety and comfort.


Ride safe, choose wisely!

This is very old and now not good advice. Every helmet sold in the US has to meet Snell certification, but the Snell rating is too inadequate of a test. A new testing format was developed by Virginia Tech, that is the rating system we need to be using to purchase safe helmets, and not the Snell. Simply search "Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings" then click on cycling.

 

[jmdirt]

This is very old and now not good advice. Every helmet sold in the US has to meet Snell certification, but the Snell rating is too inadequate of a test. A new testing format was developed by Virginia Tech, that is the rating system we need to be using to purchase safe helmets, and not the Snell. Simply search "Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings" then click on cycling.

I don't even think that they have to meet snell, only DOT.

 

[Unchained]

I don't even think that they have to meet snell, only DOT.

Don't know what manufacturers are doing but some of the anvil drop tests are silly in my experience on 2 wheels powered and human powered. I am always complaining mostly about quality, craftsmanship- cost ratio which I personally find criminal and SNELL, and DOT spend no time seeing it the buckles, fasteners and straps accurately work.
And for people who frequent Aliexpress or DHGate , you see a variety of BS, SNELL and DOT decals for sale, and helmet copies that have the approval stickers on counterfeit helmets.. People I know have bought pretty good looking fake Laser and Abus helmets, you get a wake up immediately from packaging, documents and lack of warranty info. Buyer beware

 

[proffate]

This is very old and now not good advice. Every helmet sold in the US has to meet Snell certification, but the Snell rating is too inadequate of a test. A new testing format was developed by Virginia Tech, that is the rating system we need to be using to purchase safe helmets, and not the Snell. Simply search "Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings" then click on cycling.

You do realize you're responding to a bot, right?

 

[froze]

You do realize you're responding to a bot, right?

No, I had no clue! How do you know this?

 

[proffate]

No, I had no clue! How do you know this?

Voice, formatting, link destination...

 

[froze]

Voice, formatting, link destination...

I'm not really computer literate so I must be missing something, but I reread it and nothing strikes me odd. He's not pushing a product, he mentioned two things he bought, mostly concerned with MIPS technology which isn't pushing any one product. The only thing is that it was his first post, and never responded back, but a lot of people do that, they may have a question about something so they go to a forum and post it, get the answer, and are never polite enough to come back and thank the people for giving the advice, our world these days is rude like that, so it's not unusual. Additionally, a lot of people may lack English writing skills, so for them to mess up a sentence is also not unusual, even if they live in America I've seen that sort of thing either because they don't know how to write their thoughts, or didn't catch the error they made in the sentence or word spelling or usage. I don't bother to correct people for that, I'm not a grammar cop.

 

[jmdirt]

You do realize you're responding to a bot, right?

Maybe, but someone might read the thread and get useful info. from it anyway.

 

[proffate]

I'm not really computer literate so I must be missing something, but I reread it and nothing strikes me odd. He's not pushing a product, he mentioned two things he bought, mostly concerned with MIPS technology which isn't pushing any one product. The only thing is that it was his first post, and never responded back, but a lot of people do that, they may have a question about something so they go to a forum and post it, get the answer, and are never polite enough to come back and thank the people for giving the advice, our world these days is rude like that, so it's not unusual. Additionally, a lot of people may lack English writing skills, so for them to mess up a sentence is also not unusual, even if they live in America I've seen that sort of thing either because they don't know how to write their thoughts, or didn't catch the error they made in the sentence or word spelling or usage. I don't bother to correct people for that, I'm not a grammar cop.

You responded to "ourcyclingpoint", not the op.

 

[froze]

You responded to "ourcyclingpoint", not the op.

I didn't know that "ourcyclingpoint" was a bot, sorry.

 

[froze]

I've tried an off-brand MIPS helmet before, and it felt solid. As long as it's got the MIPS certification, it should work fine. Safety is key, and it's great you're thinking about it.

That is not true, a cheap generic Chinese-made MIPS helmet is not going to be a good helmet. Just go to Virginia Tech helmet ratings" click on the "bicycle" square, and check out the ratings, the lower the score the better the helmet, and as you will see, while most of them are MIPS, they don't all tie in how well they'll protect you.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

For those of you in the US who don't know about Sierra Trading Post, you should.
It's basically an outdoors outlet from all sorts of brands. They have POC, Oakley, Giro, Kask, Lazer, Smith helmets, etc., for example. I've purchased Castelli and Campagnolo gear from there in the past.
(No, I'm not affiliated with them, I just shop there a lot. Much cheaper than REI, for example, if you can find what you want.)

Helmet average savings of 55% at Sierra

Great Deals on 60 styles of Helmet at Sierra. Celebrating 30 Years Of Exploring.

www.sierra.com

 

[jmdirt]

I've been shopping STP since the early 2000s (even stopped at the original store in WY on a road trip before they expanded to multiple stores). We have one here in the valley, but I tend mail order more than shop at the physical store. IMO STP has gone WAY downhill since Homegoods/TJ Max purchased them. There are still deals to be had though, just not as many, and not as good.