REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS

MIPS Helmet: Perfect comfort day 1 or do they need a break in?

2336 Views 19 Replies 14 Participants Last post by rstark18, Jan 15, 2022

DeoreDX

Discussion Starter · Jan 11, 2022

My head size is 59.5cm which puts me solidly between just about every manufacturer's M and L helmets. M's always feel a bit too small and sits too high on my head and L's feel like I'm an extra in Spaceballs.. Maybe because of this I've never tried on a MIPs helmet that completely disappeared when adjusted and put on my head. There always seems to be something in the helmet liner that feels like it's poking me somewhere on my head. Not uncomfortable but I notice it when trying it on. I wouldn't call it a pressure point, more like a touch point. Like someone constantly has their finger touching a part of your head all day. My current helmet is a A1 MIPS in L/XL. It was a "Need it now and the only thing that fit" purchase. Wasn't 100% comfortable at first with multiple touch points more annoying than uncomfortable but after a couple of months I either got used to it or the helmet broke in and now it disappears when I put it on.

Now I'm helmet shopping again and I've been trying on several helmets cause I want to get a Medium sized helmet so it doesn't look like I'm riding with a beach ball on my head. I've been trying on mostly MIPs helmets but again I can't find one that just disappears when placed on my head. I've been looking in the $100-150 price range. Maybe I need to up that to find a cloud like MIPs experience? I've found several cheap non-Mips helmets feel 100% perfect out of the box for me. If I knew the helmet would break in and the touch points wouldn't be annoying once broken I have several MIPs options that are about 95% comfortable out of the box (Looking at the TLD A2 and Speedframe). So far I've tried Fox, TLD, Bell, and Giro helmets.

1 - 20 of 20 Posts

Nat

· #2 · Jan 11, 2022

I don’t expect a helmet to break in. I want it to feel comfortable right out of the box, MIPS or not. Can you figure out what exactly is causing the pressure point?

Maybe size up to L and don’t worry about how it looks to others? They probably aren’t even looking and won’t notice. Not once have I seen another bike rider and thought, “Look at the size of the head on that dude!!!”

Reactions: 5

tick_magnet

· #3 · Jan 11, 2022

I've only owned MIPS helmets in recent years and in my experience, if you are getting pressure points on day 1, you will suffer even on day 365 especially on long rides. Each helmet will fit certain head shapes better or worse than others. Pressure points are a red flag that your head shape doesn't jive with the helmet.

Reactions: 5

J.B. Weld

· #4 · Jan 11, 2022

Helmets never "break in" the fit will be the same the first time you put it on as it will be 3 years later.

Don't worry about getting a medium instead of a large because of the way it looks, no one will ever notice the difference except you. I always open the adjustment dial all the way before putting one on, if it feels snug-ish before you tighten it down it's too small.

I actually find most mips helmets slightly more comfortable than their non-mips version but if it's the other way around for you I might consider just getting the non-mips one.

Reactions: 1

TwoTone

· #5 · Jan 11, 2022

Might not have anything to do with MIPS. Certain helmets, even non MIPS cause the same feeling for me.
Some helmets are just going to fit certain head shapes differently.
Not all MIPS is implemented in the same way.

Reactions: 2

Nat

· #6 · Jan 11, 2022

The only time I've noticed the MIPS liner was in a Fox Proframe because the MIPS extends down the forehead a little too far. It peeks out from under the forehead pad and contacts the skin, which is a design flaw IMO but other than that one helmet I've never noticed the MIPS affect fit.

Reactions: 1

tick_magnet

· #7 · Jan 11, 2022

Also, I don't think spending more necessarily is safer or more comfortable these days. One of the safest and most comfortable helmets I've used is the $50 Specialized Align 2.

DeoreDX

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jan 11, 2022

J.B. Weld said:
Don't worry about getting a medium instead of a large because of the way it looks, no one will ever notice the difference except you. I always open the adjustment dial all the way before putting one on, if it feels snug-ish before you tighten it down it's too small.

I get the same feeling Medium or large. I know I have an odd shaped head it's ET like. Maybe it just doesn't jive well with mips liners.

Nat

· #9 · Jan 11, 2022

DeoreDX said:
Maybe it just doesn't jive well with mips liners.

The MIPS liner shouldn't have anything to do with it since it's just a plastic liner of uniform thickness. I wonder if it's one of the mounting point rivets though? Are you able to tell?

Harold

· #10 · Jan 11, 2022

I definitely agree with folks who say that helmets don't "break in" like shoes. they're going to fit the same all the time. Contact points you feel during try on may well feel worse over time (I've certainly encountered that), but they might not (have encountered that, too).

The important part is finding a helmet that works with your head shape. The TLD A2 is the most comfy helmet I've found for my head. I found the A1 to have a slightly different fit. I do feel a couple contact points on my head (I have sharp-ish angles on my head, and 2 spots that I call my "horns" and that's where I feel the helmet touching), but they're really light contact points and they don't wind up feeling worse the longer I wear the helmet. Because of my angles, my head shape doesn't really jive with any of the "ideal" head shape models that helmet companies use. I tend to lean towards "rounder" shapes than narrower/longer ones, but nothing perfectly disappears on my head. The longer my hair is, the less I feel those specific points, but right after a haircut, I feel them more. It's just the way it is, and I don't expect any helmet mfr to make a helmet for me using a custom mold shaped exactly like my head.

See less See more

Muggsly

· #11 · Jan 11, 2022

I cannot use MIPS helmets since I shave my head and they all have plastic protrustions that dig into your head. I need that cushy sweet padding for my melon.

Nat

· #12 · Jan 11, 2022

Muggsly said:
I cannot use MIPS helmets since I shave my head and they all have plastic protrustions that dig into your head. I need that cushy sweet padding for my melon.

I shave my head too and I've been able to find helmets (e.g., TLD A3) that cover all of the mounting points. Some helmets though lack padding to the rear for some reason (e.g., Fox Speedframe) and I definitely feel the plastic on my scalp.

Reactions: 1

mack_turtle

· #13 · Jan 11, 2022

IME, not all helmets fit all heads, regardless of size or safety features. I have owned one and tried on a few Bell helmets, and due to the "round" shape, I have to size up to fit my head. the result is a loose fit, so I don't buy those helmets.

monsterinthewoods

· #14 · Jan 11, 2022

With what you're describing, I think you may just be better served by a less expensive helmet. A lot of the more expensive helmets focus on improved airflow and one of the ways they do that is through a reduction in padding. That makes those helmets only touch your head in a few spots and may very well give the sensation you are describing. Most cheaper helmets, in my experience, have more sweat padding inside the helmet and spread the force of the helmet around your head using a larger contact patch. MIPS shouldn't have anything to do with it.

andy f

· #15 · Jan 11, 2022

MIPS integrated or MIPS spherical helmets won't have an issue with the liner contacting your head. I like the idea of MIPS spherical better than any of the other rotational acceleration solutions I've seen but don't know if it actually performs better.

The Bell Super Air has MIPS Spherical, fits me well (I'm between M and L in most helmets and the M is just right), and has an optional detachable chin bar. Downside is price. Last time I checked, it was $225 w/o chin bar, $275 with.

Tmiabm

· #16 · Jan 11, 2022

I’m in a similar boat head size and some “universal” sized helmets tend to fit better.

bingemtbr

· #17 · Jan 11, 2022

If you have short hair, then your helmet's fit should offer perfect comfort day one--providing your hair cut/style is the same length as a normal ride day.

If you have long hair or very thick curly hair, then there could be some adjustments once you start to perspire and your hair gets sweaty.

Nat

· #18 · Jan 11, 2022

bingemtbr said:
If you have short hair, then your helmet's fit should offer perfect comfort day one--providing your hair cut/style is the same length as a normal ride day.

If you have long hair or very thick curly hair, then there could be some adjustments once you start to perspire and your hair gets sweaty.

I get a weird pressure point on the back of my head with any helmet. I can't quite figure out a good solution so I just take a lot of Tylenol.

Sports uniform Player Gesture T-shirt Sports gear

See less See more

Reactions: 1

C619V

· #19 · Jan 12, 2022

My noggin is 59.2 and I bought a Smith Sessions in Large.

Hair is always short (1/4” guard buzzed) oddly I get headaches when my hair gets a certain length

I tried on a ton of helmets at various bike shops, REI and even via Amazon try before you buy.

Anyway, this lid fit the best, didn’t squat down on the brows, no pinch points, can fit an assortment of glasses from simple RayBans, Koos etc… longest ride for me with it on is 6 hours and being a construction worker(commercial HVAC Journeyman) who wears a much heavier hard hat daily and way less ventilation…this thing is barley noticeable.

Fox Speedframe pro was a close second, but I felt it bite a lil around the occipital area

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Reactions: 1

rstark18

· #20 · Jan 15, 2022

I’ve been having a struggle getting a new helmet.
I dented my old Kali Maya 2.0. I loved that helmet. It fit perfect and was so comfortable. I sent it in for a crash replacement and they sent me a Maya 3.0. It didn’t fit the same and I was having problems with it shifting forward during steep down hill positions. They were so good at trying to find a good fit replacement. Kali’s customer service is top notch. Hopefully the Maya 4.0 (whenever that comes) will fit better because I really want to support them.
After trying a bunch of helmets my biggest problem is with my temple area. Most helmets give me a headache because of the pressure.
What I finally did was go with the Fox Speedframe Pro and cut the temple pads off.
Now that helmet fits perfect for me.

1 - 20 of 20 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.