Lazer Sport has introduced the world’s first children’s bicycle helmets with integrated M.I.P.S. rotational protection system.
We saw prototypes of this at Interbike two years ago, but it’s only now hitting the market in their Nutz and P-Nutz kids’ helmets. The MIPS system in a “nutz” shell is a breakaway internal cage that protects against rotational injury. An acronym for Multi-directional Impact Protection System, it keeps the helmet from twisting your kid’s head from getting whipped around with it in a bad wreck.
Why is this important? According to research provided by Lazer:
The brain is surrounded by a low-friction cushion of cerebrospinal fluid. MIPS imitates the brain’s way of protecting itself by giving the helmet its own low-friction layer between the outer shell and the liner. In the event of a crash this layer absorbs much of the energy created by a blow to the head. The combination of the brain’s own protection and MIPS therefore ensures maximum protection for the rider. Very simple, yet very effective.
The EPS foam and overall structure is still the predominant protection for 90° impacts, but most (virtually all) impacts occur at something other than a right angle. The P’Nut helmet fits infants up to a 54cm circumference head and weighs 270 grams. The Nut’Z helmet fits children up to a 56cm circumference head and weighs 300 grams. Both of these helmets have an SRP in the USA of $80.
For grown folks looking to get the same protection, POC Sports has both a full face and XC-ish lid with it, but we suspect Lazer’s got something up its sleeves.
