Why Mad Hatter Chooses ERT Over MIPS for Helmet Safety

Helmet technology has significantly advanced over the years. Today, most riders understand that protecting their heads involves more than just wearing a basic helmet. It’s essential to find a helmet that can withstand the forces your brain would actually experience during a crash.

Two prominent names in helmet safety are MIPS and ERT. Both technologies aim to reduce brain injuries, but they operate in very different ways. So, why does Mad Hatter prefer ERT over MIPS? Let’s break it down.

Understanding MIPS: A Quick Overview

MIPS (Multi-Directional Impact Protection System) is the most recognized helmet safety feature, and for good reason.

When you clip an edge, slide out, or hit a rut, your head may hit the ground at an angle. This creates rotational forces, which can be particularly damaging to the brain, especially at higher speeds. MIPS addresses this issue by incorporating a low-friction layer inside the helmet. This layer allows the helmet to rotate slightly around your head during an angled impact.

This small movement can significantly reduce the rotational energy transferred to your brain, making MIPS a considerable improvement over traditional helmets. While MIPS is effective, it is not the only option available.

What is ERT?

ERT™ (Energy Reduction Technology) takes a different approach to helmet safety.

Instead of relying on movement between layers, ERT uses soft, engineered polymer pads built directly into the helmet. When an impact occurs—whether it’s straight or angled—these pads compress and deform, absorbing and dispersing energy before it reaches your head.

What’s crucial about ERT is when it activates. Most helmet safety standards test impacts at very high forces, around 300 Gs. To put this into perspective, a 165 lb (75 kg) person would need to fall at approximately 38 mph on hard surfaces to generate 300 Gs. However, most head injuries and concussions occur at much lower forces, often closer to 100 Gs. ERT is specifically designed to engage at these lower, more common impact levels—the types of falls riders experience daily.

In essence, ERT isn’t just for catastrophic crashes; it also addresses the smaller, more frequent impacts.

MIPS vs. ERT: What’s the Real Difference?

Here’s a straightforward way to understand the differences:

• MIPS reduces rotational forces by allowing the helmet to move slightly around your head. However, it does not provide protection against linear (straight down) forces.

• ERT reduces both rotational and linear forces by absorbing energy directly.

  
  

MIPS relies on controlled motion, while ERT focuses on controlled energy absorption.

Why Mad Hatter Chooses ERT

When designing our helmets, we didn’t ask, “What’s the most popular technology?” Instead, we focused on a crucial question:

“What protects riders best in real-world crashes?”

Here’s why ERT made the most sense for us.

1. Protection at Impact Levels That Matter Most

Significant crashes often grab attention, but many head injuries occur during falls that seem less dramatic. ERT is engineered to respond at lower impact energies, not just at the extreme end of the spectrum.

2. One System, Multiple Forces

Crashes are unpredictable. They rarely occur in a perfectly straight line or at a perfect angle. ERT effectively manages both linear and rotational forces simultaneously, rather than concentrating on just one type of motion.

3. Independent Testing Backed It Up

Third-party lab testing has demonstrated that ERT performs exceptionally well in reducing both rotational and linear impact forces. This evidence gives us confidence that our choice is based on measurable performance, not just theory.

4. Comfort Still Matters

Safety technology is ineffective if the helmet isn’t comfortable enough to wear all day. ERT’s soft polymer pads integrate seamlessly into the helmet, avoiding pressure points or awkward fit issues.

The Bottom Line

MIPS is a solid technology and a significant advancement from traditional helmet designs. However, for us, ERT offers broader protection across more realistic crash scenarios, particularly the lower-energy impacts that are most often linked to concussions.

That’s why every Mad Hatter helmet is built around ERT.

At the end of the day, the best helmet is the one you actually wear. We believe it should protect you not only in worst-case crashes but also in the everyday falls that come with riding.

If you want to dive deeper into the science behind ERT, you can check it out here: 👉 ERT Technology