The Old Guy Bicycle Blog

Last updated: August 21, 2026 Quick Take: I wear the Giro Fixture MIPS II helmet. At around $75, it delivers real safety without the premium price tag. Higher-end helmets ($150–$200) offer lighter weight, better ventilation, and sleeker features — but not necessarily better protection. One thing I will not cover here: budget helmets with no modern safety system. I will not wear one, and I don’t recommend you do either. That is me wearing my Giro Fixture  MIPS II Helmet on a training ride. Helmets are not optional gear. They’re survival gear. And in my case, I ride with the Giro Fixture MIPS II . It’s the helmet you’ll see on my head in nearly every ride photo on this blog. Why this model? Because at around $85 it gives me modern MIPS protection , good ventilation, and a fit system I can trust — all without breaking the bank. But there’s a question I hear often: “If your helmet has MIPS II, why would someone spend $150 or $200 on another MIPS II helmet?” 🚫 Why I Don...

🛡️ Last Updated: July 26, 2026 — tightened recommendations and added MIPS details. A MIPS helmet isn’t a luxury—it’s the one item you don’t go budget on. Spend the extra $25–$30 now; if your head ever hits the ground, you’ll be glad you did. Why Every Cyclist Should Pay Up for a Quality MIPS Helmet Quick Answer: This is not the item to go budget on. A quality helmet with MIPS costs about $25–$30 more and is designed to reduce the rotational forces that happen in real-world crashes. If your head ever hits the ground, you’ll be thankful you spent the extra money. Some gear you can bargain-hunt. Helmets aren’t one of them. Pavement comes at you fast, and most crashes aren’t straight-on—they’re awkward, twisting hits. That’s where a MIPS-equipped helmet earns its keep. Spend the extra money now; avoid the regret later. Why MIPS Matters MIPS (Multi-Directional Impact Protection System) adds a low-friction layer inside the helmet so your head can rotate slightly d...

Updated: January 18, 2026 Quick Take:  FIRST, if you already have a helmet, but it is 5 years old, you need to replace it. SECOND, A helmet without MIPS doesn’t belong on a “best helmets” list. MIPS reduces dangerous rotational forces in crashes — and it’s available on helmets from $60 to $300+. Here are the helmets I’d actually recommend for seniors, commuters, women, and kids. That is me wearing my Giro Fixture MIPS II Helmet Why MIPS Is Non-Negotiable MIPS stands for Multi-Directional Impact Protection System . It’s a slip-plane layer inside the helmet that allows your head to rotate slightly inside the shell during angled impacts. That tiny bit of movement reduces rotational forces — the ones that often cause concussions or brain injuries. Not every helmet has it. Every helmet I recommend here does. Do You Need a $200 Helmet? Short answer: no. A $200 helmet doesn’t protect your head any better than a $60–$80 MIPS helmet. The difference is in weight, ventilation, and s...