What is the difference between MIPS, Spin and Wavecel helmets?

Please see the physical analysi

Obviously, the safest bicycle helmets are equipped with some anti rotation impact technology, and rotation impact is the main cause of concussion, which can be seen from the independent test results of helmets released by Virginia Tech.

The helmets from left to right are:Bontrager XXX WaveCel、Bontrager Velocis Mips、Specialized S-Works Prevail II Vent、POC Ventral Air WF Spin、Lazer Z1。

hey use wavecel and MIPS respectively   Evolve, MIPs air, spin technology, and Lazer Z1 on the far right does not use any anti rotation impact technology.

 When it comes to helmet safety test standards, there are many at the same time, including CPSC 1203 and en 1078, which are American and European standards, and the American standards are correspondingly higher. There are also national standards, because most helmets are produced domestically and most are exported, so the safety standards are also relatively high. We won’t talk about the test standards of helmets. Today we mainly show you several helmets using different anti rotation impact technologies.

Among the top 30 helmet tests of Virginia Tech, except for a mountain helmet, all the others used some anti rotation impact technology. MIPS is still the most popular because it is open and can be purchased at a cost. The second is the unique wavecel of Bontrager and POC’s own spin.

 

MIPS and spin are actually quite similar, because the principle of reducing rotational impact is very simple, that is, adding a sliding layer between the helmet and the head. If there is no patent protection, it is too easy to imitate. In fact, MIPs and spin have had patent disputes, which have been settled now.

一、WaveCel

Unlike MIPs, wavecel is a 1mm thick low resistance sliding layer, but a honeycomb structure that can be compressed, folded and sliding.

 

Bontrager’s wavecel is a much more complex technology. Wavecel was developed by two brain trauma experts. The honeycomb wavecel is located in the helmet shell. The wavecel layer is designed to “bend, wrinkle and slide”, which can prevent impact from various angles. The honeycomb structure can be divided into the above three stages to disperse the impact force and provide a buffer when any impact force reaches your head. Compared with MIPS and spin, which are mainly used for rotational impact, wavecel is designed to resist all types of impact. So we can imagine that WaveCel is equivalent to the EPS foam with a thickened helmet. The safety of the bicycle helmet is due to the EPS foam. Of course, the outer surface will cover the beautiful polycarbonate shell, and the high-end helmet will increase the inner skeleton of the foam to prevent the impact. Anti rotation impact technology is just adding flowers on the scene, which can improve safety, but can not replace the role of EPS foam. Therefore, those helmets that do not use anti rotation impact technology are not unsafe. Wavecel is unique, but under the existing test standards, it does not score higher than MIPs, and increases the weight and hinders the airflow. Therefore, Bontrager also has MIPS helmets.

 

The  picture can clearly see the structure of wavecel, which is still very thick.

二、MIPS

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MIPS is essentially the sliding “plastic shell” inside the helmet, which is anchored to the helmet through rubber strips. It is smooth and has low friction, so it can slide in any direction relative to the helmet.Very thin and slippery plastic bushing.