Riding Helmet Safety: What MIPS, ASTM and VG1 Actually Mean
Safety certifications can be confusing. We decode every standard — ASTM F1163, EN 1384, PAS 015, VG1 — and explain exactly what protection each level provides.
Every equestrian helmet sold in a reputable store carries at least one safety certification. But what do those acronyms actually mean? Understanding the difference between standards — and what each one tests for — is essential knowledge for any rider making a purchase decision.
What MIPS Actually Does
MIPS stands for Multi-directional Impact Protection System. It is not a safety standard — it is a technology layer added inside a helmet. A thin, low-friction liner sits between the helmet shell and the impact foam, designed to move independently of the outer shell during an angled impact.
The relevance to equestrian sport is significant. Falls from horses typically involve rotational forces — the head hits the ground at an angle, generating a twisting motion that standard linear-impact helmets are not optimised to absorb. MIPS is designed to reduce the rotational energy transmitted to the brain in exactly this type of impact.
Understanding the Standards
ASTM F1163
The American standard for equestrian helmets, tested by the Safety Equipment Institute (SEI). Covers impact absorption, penetration resistance, and retention system strength. Required for USEF-sanctioned competition at all levels.
EN 1384
The European standard, recently updated to 2023 specifications with significantly stricter impact testing. Replaces the older version that had been widely criticised as insufficiently rigorous. Required for British Riding Club and BE competitions.
PAS 015
A British standard administered by the British Standards Institution. Stricter than the older EN 1384 and historically the preferred standard of the British Horse Society. Still widely respected and accepted.
VG1 01.040 2014-12
The most modern and rigorous European standard available. Tests at higher impact velocities and covers a wider range of impact zones than previous standards. Now required at many top-level FEI competitions and increasingly becoming the gold standard globally.
For maximum protection: choose a helmet that carries both ASTM/SEI certification for American competitions and VG1 for European and FEI events. A helmet with MIPS added to either standard provides the best available rotational impact protection.
Fit: The Variable No Standard Can Measure
A helmet certified to the highest available standard provides no protection if it does not fit correctly. Measure the widest circumference of your head, just above the eyebrows, and match to the manufacturer's size chart. The helmet should sit level, cover the forehead to within two fingers of the eyebrows, and feel snug without pressure points. The chin strap should be adjusted so that only two fingers fit between strap and chin.
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