Explore the Cutting-Edge Innovations Protecting Riders Today
When it comes to dirt bike helmets, safety is everything. Advances in helmet shell and liner design are transforming how riders stay protected from impact and rotational forces. Below, we break down four of the most innovative systems in modern helmet technology — MIPS, 360° Turbine, M.E.D.S., and Alpinestars Tech-Air® — and how they work to keep you safer on the track or trail.
What is MIPS?
MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) has set a new standard in helmet safety. This low-friction layer inside the helmet allows the head to move slightly during angled impacts, reducing rotational forces transferred to the brain.
Studies show that helmets equipped with MIPS can lower the risk of certain brain injuries by up to 50% compared to conventional helmets. You’ll find MIPS in models from Fox, Troy Lee Designs, and Bell offering riders an added layer of proven protection.
🧠 MIPS helmets are designed for riders who want cutting-edge safety without sacrificing comfort or ventilation.
What is 360 ̊ Turbine Technology?
Developed by Leatt, 360° Turbine Technology uses small, circular discs made from an energy-absorbing material called Armourgel. These turbines are positioned strategically inside the helmet to compress and absorb energy during an impact.
This design not only reduces direct impact forces but also helps limit rotational acceleration — the twisting motion that can cause concussions and brain strain.
⚙️ Leatt helmets with 360° Turbine Technology deliver advanced protection in a lightweight, comfortable fit that serious riders love.
What is M.E.D.S?
Shoei’s Motion Energy Distribution System (M.E.D.S.) is a proprietary design that builds on the brand’s reputation for exceptional quality and comfort. Featured in the Shoei VFX series, M.E.D.S. incorporates a dual-layer EPS liner with an inner layer that moves independently during an impact.
This motion disperses rotational energy and minimizes the forces transmitted to the head — similar in concept to MIPS, but with a unique column-based suspension system.
🪶 The result: a lighter, more comfortable helmet that doesn’t compromise on impact performance.
👉 Check out Shoei M.E.D.S. helmets here!
What is Alpinestars’ Helmet Safety Technology?
Alpinestars has joined the elite group of brands pushing the boundaries of helmet safety. Their latest off-road helmets — incorporate multiple advanced systems that work together to protect riders against both linear and rotational impacts.
They use a low-friction, coated EPS inner surface so the helmet liner can move relative to the head, reducing rotational and oblique forces during impact.
They deploy a multi-density EPS liner construction — composed of multiple pieces with varying densities — to better manage different levels of impact energy.
Their A-Head Fitment System allows riders to fine-tune how the helmet sits on the head, improving comfort, balance, and impact performance. All of this is combined with a high-end carbon or composite shell construction, designed to not only meet but exceed typical linear-impact standards by effectively managing oblique and rotational impacts as well.
🔰 The Alpinestars Supertech helmet range combines world-class comfort, lightweight construction, and cutting-edge energy management for serious racers and trail riders alike.
The Future of Helmet Protection
From MIPS and 360° Turbine Technology to M.E.D.S. and Alpinestars’ A-Head system, modern helmets are more advanced than ever. These innovations share one goal — reducing rotational and impact forces to protect what matters most: your head.
Whether you ride motocross, enduro, or adventure trails, choosing a helmet equipped with these technologies means you’re riding smarter — not just faster.
