Motocross helmets

Dirt, dust, mud and fun. Whether you’re blasting berms on the track or throttle-twisting with friends in the wild, Mips focuses on safety for helmets so you can focus on having a good time.

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Get dialed in for dirt

Before you hit the track or the trail, you need a helmet that’s made for motocross. Mips works with the top brands to create MX helmets that help you enjoy the experience.

Eating it. Casing. Endo. There are all kinds of ways to describe crashing your dirt bike, and sooner or later it happens to all of us. Usually, it’s minor. You get stuck in a rut. Drop it in a technical section. Bail. Sometimes, however, you’re not so lucky. Anyone who has crashed and hit their head knows it’s almost always an angled impact, and this is why Mips® products exist. Our low-friction layer inside the helmet allows multi-directional movement of 10-15mm on certain angled impacts, intended to help reduce rotational force to the head.

What makes a good motocross helmet?
A motocross helmet should obviously protect you from getting hurt when you crash. Most are designed to handle a direct hit, but dirt bike crashes don’t work like that. When you’re riding on the track, a dirt road or trail at speed and you fall and hit the ground, there is a lot of moving energy. The angled impact of your helmet on the ground causes rotational motion, and those forces can transfer to your brain. That’s why we created the Mips® safety system for motocross helmets. It’s a low-friction layer that allows a multi-directional movement of 10-15mm on certain angled impacts, intended to help reduce rotational force to the head.

Do Mips® safety systems make helmets heavy?
There are several different types of Mips® safety systems, designed and integrated for different types of helmets, but none weigh more than 25-45 grams. That’s a minimal amount of weight added, about the equivalent of a typical energy bar.

Mips®-equipped helmets are well-ventilated
We love riding dirt bikes too, and we know that overheating isn’t fun. Our designers have worked hard to ensure that Mips® products do not affect temperature regulation inside the helmet, so you stay cool and comfortable while riding.

30+ different brands
There are currently 30+ motocross helmet brands using Mips® safety systems in their products. No helmet is approved by Mips if it does not pass our strict test protocol. Use this helmet finder to choose the one you like.

Helmet safety

Checklist for choosing a motocross helmet

There are many factors when choosing your perfect motocross helmet. Here are a few to consider:

Rotational management

Make sure the helmet is designed with a low-friction layer like a Mips® safety system that’s intended to help reduce rotational force to the head during certain angled impacts.
Comfort and fit

Everyone has their own unique head shape and fit factors. It’s important to consider everything from sizing to retention systems and straps.
Ventilation

This is one of the most important performance factors in a motocross helmet. You want one that effectively channels in cool air with proper vents to control temperature and prevent overheating.
Safety certification

Most motocross helmets available to consumers are required to meet certain safety requirements, but it’s best to double-check that it’s up to date with the latest regulations in your country.
Available parts

We suggest you choose a helmet from a major manufacturer so that it’s easy to order any replacement parts in case you break a visor, snap a buckle or lose a cheek pad.
Brand and style

There are plenty of great choices of motocross helmets available today. Be sure to choose one from a brand you know and trust, with a style that will help get you motivated to ride.

Rotational management

This is the reason Mips exists. We have done the research. We have the data. Studies show that when you crash and hit your head, it’s most often an angled impact. This creates rotational motion, and the brain is very sensitive to this. So, this part is easy: just be sure to pick a helmet that’s equipped with a Mips® safety system, which is intended to help reduce rotational forces to the head during certain angled impacts.

Comfort and fit

When trying to find the correct helmet model and size, it’s important to consider everything from the overall helmet shape to retention systems and straps. A poor fit isn’t just uncomfortable, it can compromise safety. The first thing you need to know is your head circumference. You can find this by wrapping a flexible tape measure around your head about 2cm above your eyebrows. Or you can wrap a string around your head and measure it with a yardstick. Once you have the right size, be sure to properly adjust the chin straps and buckle, along with the adjustment dial if it has one.

Ventilation

This is one of the most important performance factors in a motocross helmet. While street motorcycle helmets typically have less ventilation, dirt bike riders exert significantly more energy, often at lower speeds, which can lead to overheating if your helmet isn’t helping keep you cool. Look for one that effectively channels in air and vents out the heat to keep you comfortable in variable weather and terrain.

Safety certification

This is what matters most when choosing a helmet. You can look for certain safety features, including our Mips® safety system and other special functions made for the type of riding you do, but the first step is to make sure the helmet is certified to helmet standards in your country. There are many different standards worldwide, but some of the most common ones include Department of Transportation (DOT) in the U.S., ECE 22.05 in Europe and BS (British Standard) in the U.K.

Available parts

We suggest you choose a helmet from a major manufacturer. Check to see if they offer replacement parts for it, just in case something breaks. You want to be able to easily replace a broken visor, snapped buckle, or missing cheek pad. Also, consider any accessories you might want to use, such as a POV camera, and if the helmet is integrated with mounts that make it easy to snap on.

Brand and style

Motocross helmets look different than regular street motorcycle helmets. They have purpose-built features including an extended chin bar to protect you from roost and other debris, and they typically come with an adjustable visor. There are plenty of great helmet choices available, so be sure to look at brands you know and trust and pick a style that will get you motivated to ride.

Can’t get enough?

This section covers the different aspects of motocross, including equipment, rules, and disciplines. You can also find relevant news on Mips involvement in the motocross industry.

A year of Mips in Motocross

There was no better representation of Mips’ continued prevalence within the off-road segment during 2022 than on the race track. Mips-equipped riders were dominant throughout the AMA Supercross, AMA Pro Motocross, and FIM Motocross World Championship seasons, capturing an impressive collection of wins, podiums, and, most importantly, championships.

Look at the numbers!

Dirt bike helmets – a few tips before you buy

A sense of freedom, stress release, mental alertness, physical exercise… The reasons for riding a dirt bike may vary, but no matter why you ride, wearing a dirt bike helmet is always a good idea. It lets you enjoy your passion, expand your limits and improve as a dirt bike rider.

Let's get the dirty!

Team Mips Riders

Multi MXGP World Champion Tim Gajser and Australian Star Mitch Evans Join Team Mips in HRC Sponsorship Deal FIM Motocross World Championship, Team HRC MXGP.

Frequently asked questions about Mips Motocross helmets

Read more frequently asked questions here

Featured Motocross helmets

Bell

MX-9 Mips

Thor

Reflex Mips

Fox Racing

V3 Mips

Troy Lee Designs

SE4 Mips

Science & Technology

Mips was born from science and research

Our founders have spent decades studying the relationship between brain injuries and helmet construction. This deep knowledge and unrivalled experience are behind the latest Mips technologies for safer helmets.

Read more on the science and technology behind our product

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Motocross helmets

Get dialed in for dirt

Checklist for choosing a motocross helmet

Rotational management

Comfort and fit

Ventilation

Safety certification

Available parts

Brand and style

Can’t get enough?

A year of Mips in Motocross

Dirt bike helmets – a few tips before you buy

Team Mips Riders

Frequently asked questions about Mips Motocross helmets

Featured Motocross helmets

MX-9 Mips

Reflex Mips

V3 Mips

SE4 Mips

Mips was born from science and research

Showing ### of 25 brands with Mips® safety system in this product category

We value your integrity

Motocross helmets

Get dialed in for dirt

Read the full story Close

Checklist for choosing a motocross helmet

Rotational management

Comfort and fit

Ventilation

Safety certification

Available parts

Brand and style

Read more Close

Can’t get enough?

Frequently asked questions about Mips Motocross helmets

How does a Mips® safety system work?

Where is the Mips® safety system located on a helmet?

Which motocross helmets have Mips® safety systems?

Does a Mips® safety system add a lot of extra weight to the helmet?

Featured Motocross helmets

MX-9 Mips

Reflex Mips

V3 Mips

SE4 Mips

Mips was born from science and research

Showing ### of 25 brands with Mips® safety system in this product category