MIPS in the lead, according to the Swedish insurance company's helmet safety test

Folksam, a Swedish insurance group, has released the results of its annual helmet safety test, concluding that the best helmets equipped with the MIPS system provide up to 36% more safety than the average helmet. In contrast to standard certification tests, Folksam's tests are similar to Virginia Tech's tests and place great importance on measuring rotational forces to reduce concussions.

Three helmets for adults and two for children were awarded the "Good Choice" prize in the relatively small field of practice.

This latest series of bicycle helmet tests is Folksam's 11th helmet test since 2012, and its seventh test specifically focused on cyclist helmets. Among the 12 tested adult helmets, the Giro Aether MIPS, the Swedish specialist Propero III Angi MIPS and the Tec Nice MIPS (a Swedish helmet company) all received the "Good Choice" award, a "four" in the world. Folsam scale. In comparison, the worst performing helmets scored one, while the Bontrager WaveCel Charge scored two, less than two helmets other than MIPS.

It's interesting to see the Bontrager rate as low, especially as the Virginia Tech tests give the WaveCel Charge helmet a 5/5 safety rating, even though it's currently 15th. Folksam's test joins forces with Virginia Tech in that WaveCel technology apparently does not provide the safety enhancement first announced by Trek / Bontrager.

Seven child helmets were tested, with the Swedish local Tec being the only recipient of the "Good Choice" award. The Abus and Bell models equipped with MIPS technology scored lower, but still above average.

Conducted by Swedish research institutes (RISE), the Folksam test included two right perpendicular impact shock absorption tests, both performed according to the European standard (EN1078 2012). In addition, three separate oblique impact tests were performed to test the rotational forces. Oblique shock tests were performed with two samples for each model.

"The original purpose of the helmet standards was to prevent life-threatening injuries, but with today's knowledge, a helmet should preferably also prevent brain damage with consequences." long-term, "says Folksam in his 2019 report on helmet testing. "Therefore, the helmets must be designed to reduce the acceleration in translation and the acceleration in rotation. A conventional helmet complying with current standards does not prevent a cyclist from suffering a concussion in the event of a shock to the head. Helmets must absorb energy more efficiently. "

Perhaps the main conclusion of this test is that the European, American and Australian standards for helmets are obsolete, given what modern science says about concussions and their long-term health risks. Given the results obtained, it is not surprising that Folksam has become an additional voice advocating for the revision of standards, which takes into account the reduction of the rotational force.

Follow the links for the 2019 report of the Follksam adult helmet and the report of the 2019 helmet for kids.