Best Motorcycle Helmets with MIPS Technology (2024)

1

Bell Bell Qualifier DLX MIPS Helmet

Pros

• Cheapest
• Transition Shield

Cons

• Polycarbonate Shell

The Bell Qualifier is everything you need in a motorcycle helmet, with few of the creature comforts found in more expensive helmets. Coming in at a reasonable $279.95, the Qualifier DLX MIPS is the highest-end version of the helmet with an included UV-activated transition shield. Four active vents and an intermediate-oval internal shape make this helmet comfortable for the vast majority of riders. The helmet is DOT and ECE rated, in addition to featuring the trademark yellow MIPS liner.

Due to its entry-level price point, Bell elected to use a polycarbonate shell for the Qualifier, which can lead to a noisier experience during highway riding. Additionally, the vent system feels cheap and is prone to occasional jamming.

But Bell has been one of the most vocal advocates of MIPS technology and it has been implemented in Bell products across the powersports segment. Though MIPS is available in more expensive street helmets and offroad-oriented lids, the Qualifier is one of Bell's most popular units. Whether you're a new rider shopping for a first helmet or a riding veteran looking for a cheap companion helmet, the Qualifier DLX MIPS is a great choice based on cost, safety, and its subtle styling.

2

Icon Icon Airflite MIPS Stealth Helmet

Pros

• Good Ventilation
• Two Shields

Cons

• Polycarbonate Shell

Icon Motorsports has become the purveyor of casual but protective motorcycle attire. Made famous by armored jerseys and Halo-inspired helmets, Icon continues to make quality but accessible motorcycle gear for those with aggressive style in mind. And the Airflite MIPS helmet is no different, with a price point of $333.

The shield system on the Airflite helmet is one of its endearing features. Flip up the unorthodox long shield and breath guard and you'll find a drop-down eye-covering sunshade. Both the main shield and sunshade can be customized to your color preference.

Icon's Airflite won't win any beauty contests, nor is it the best helmet on this list. However, the appeal of the Airflite is its price, safety, and comfort. With a reasonable bump in price from the Qualifier, the Airflite achieves DOT, ECE, and PSC safety certifications, though it does suffer from the same polycarbonate construction noise. Additionally, the Airflite is suited to those with longer head shapes, due to its long-oval internals.

3

Bell Bell Star DLX MIPS Helmet

Pros

• Snell Rated
• Transition Shield

Cons

• Bulky

With aerodynamics in mind and a racing pedigree, the Bell Star DLX marks the top end of more traditional motorcycle helmets with MIPS. Constructed with a carbon-fiber shell, Bell markets this helmet as track-oriented with enough comfort for the street, and this rings true in real-world riding. The cut of the lid lends itself to riding with a forward lean, akin to riding on a sport bike or aggressive naked bike.

It would be accurate to describe the Star as an ultra-safe helmet, seeing as it earns DOT, ECE, and the coveted Snell rating. Just like the Qualifier DLX, the Star comes equipped with a photo-chromatic transition shield and an active venting system, though the shield on the Star locks in place. Combined with the more solid shell construction, the shield system on the Star creates a much quieter ride.

Due to the intermediate to long-oval head shape of the Star, it fits a smaller demographic of riders and feels hefty once on. Though the Bell's safety aspects are on par with competing Shoei and Arai lids, the comfort and size of the Star can make it a less desirable choice depending on your head shape.

4

Klim Klim F5 Koroyd MIPS Helmet

Pros

• Lightweight
• Good Ventilation

Cons

• Noisy

At this point, Klim is a household name for any two-wheeled adventurer. Based in Idaho, Klim produces practical gear that works on rugged adventures and morning commutes alike. After producing top-notch pants and jackets, the company has decided to make helmets—and excellent ones at that.

Inside the Klim helmet lineup, the F5 Koroyd is the most trail focused, though it is street legal and retains a DOT and ECE safety rating. Beyond the safety ratings and MIPS technology, what makes the F5 Koroyd unique can be found in its name. Koroyd is another impact protection system that uses geometric structure to dampen impact laterally, similar to the MIPS that sits between it and the comfort padding. Combing those newer technologies with dual-density EPS, the Klim F5 is one of the safest helmets on the market.

In addition to being safe, it's extraordinarily light due to its carbon shell construction. It's a mere three pounds in larger sizes. And with 18 intake vents and eight exhaust vents, the ventilation characteristics are unparalleled if a bit noisy. For those looking to ride fire road and single track day-in and day-out, look no further than Klim's F5 Koroyd.

5

Bell Bell MX-9 Adventure MIPS Helmet

Now 20% Off

Pros

• Field of View
• Sun Protection

Cons

• Screw-in Shield System

You're probably wondering why there are so many Bell helmets on this list, and it's not because Bell sponsored this. Rather, Bell is one of the only brands to seriously incorporate MIPS across its lineup. While brands like Klim and Icon choose to selectively use MIPS, Bell has gone all-in on the tech.

Bell advertises its helmet as multi-faceted and the MX-9 Adventure MIPS helmet is the epitome of an all disciplines style helmet. While its off-road functionality falls in line with the Klim F5 Koroyd, the MX-9 is more well-rounded, with a closable face-shield and active vents. It's a fairly light helmet and can be modified in a number of ways to suit your riding purposes. Should you find yourself on a long highway stretch, it's relatively easy to remove the peak and minimize wind buffet.

That brings us to the downsides of the MX-9, which are rooted in its multiple personalities. The shield system is a set of screws, meaning they can rattle loose over time and can also be over-tightened to no good ends. That said, the DOT and ECE-rated MX-9 is an unbeatable value for trail riding or city commuting, with a wide peripheral vision and excellent breathability.

Safety ratings are merely tests based on certain parameters meant to replicate a real-world crash. Objectively, some tests use higher speed impacts or multiple impacts, making helmets that pass more proven. Additionally, safety ratings are dependent on locality, meaning the DOT rating applies to helmets intended for the US while the ECE rating is focused on Europe.

Historically, DOT has been viewed as the lowest bar to pass for helmets. The testing involves a single impact, a piercing test, and a strap retention test. It's not that the testing itself is lackluster or inadequate, but rather the pressure and g-forces exuded in the test are high enough to nearly kill the wearer. Sure, the occupant can survive the worst-case scenario, but DOT testing doesn't really paint the picture of most motorcycle accidents.

ECE testing is a significantly more representative metric, with frequent updates based on real-world crash data. Test parameters are created by the Economic Commission for Europe and are often seen as more indicative of how motorcyclists actually injure their heads. Though the piercing test has been scrapped, the testing involved in ECE accounts for slow-speed impacts in addition to high-speed crashes. Exemplifying the modernity of the ECE rating is the move toward softer shells, seeing as most motorcycle crashes happen at a slower speed and harder shells are less effective in these instances.

Finally, the Snell Memorial Foundation is a non-profit group dedicated to improving auto racing and motorcycle helmet safety. The Snell rating has historically been the most coveted rating due to its requirement for most track riding. It's by far the most extensive test, though one criticism of the test is that it still uses a particularly high impact force. That said, it tests for safety in positional stability, strap retention, impact management, chin bar strength, shell penetration, and removability in the case of an accident.

Unlike DOT or ECE, MIPS technology doesn't align with a certain safety certification. Rather, MIPS is an innovating company that is creating additional safety through existing structures. In simple terms, MIPS acts as a rotational layer between the impact absorption foam and comfort padding.

Specifically, MIPS allows for 10-15 mm of play inside the helmet during an impact. Though this movement is slight, it makes a big difference in safety. Studies show that impact absorption is the most important part of a helmet, but that rotational energy is similarly at play. As such, MIPS is a basic but worthwhile addition to any motorcycle helmet.

No! In fact, most manufacturers use a production system that allows them to use one shell for multiple sizes. For example, Bell may use two shells to account for all sizes, meaning XS-M helmets use the same shell but are made unique by foam and pad fillings. Generally, cheaper helmets will use this two-shell system because it cuts down on production costs.

There are some downsides to this style of production. A large size helmet will share a shell with its 2XL counterpart, making the shell size much bigger than needed. On the other hand, some manufacturers opt for a three or even individual-shell size approach in an effort to keep shell sizes small and reduce weight.

Not necessarily. While a Snell-certified helmet will rightfully command a higher price, certain creature comforts and gimmicks can make a helmet without a Snell rating cost more than one with it. As you shop for a helmet, pay close attention to the safety ratings and take into account what kind of riding you plan on doing.

Additionally, a Snell certification isn't something that every rider needs. While there is no arguing against the rating, riders planning on commuting through the city or the occasional passenger will be similarly safe in helmets equipped with an ECE rating and MIPS technology. In the end, a good rule of thumb is to buy the helmet with the most safety ratings and best technology you can afford.