Trauma Void EQ3 Riding Helmet Review

Comfort, MIPS protection and a budget-friendly price tag have never looked so good than in my new Trauma Void EQ3 ! A barn friend was sporting an attractive navy riding helmet this summer and at that point I had yet to find my perfect horse riding helmet–one that I can wear over two hours fox hunting and not get a headache and not have a red horizontal line on my forehead for hours afterward. (Really, it’s a problem–am I the only one who gets forehead lines from helmets? Is it an age thing? lol)

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I started asking my friend questions about her helmet and she said it was the Trauma Void EQ 3 riding helmet, “And it was only like $150 bucks!” That set me on a path to learn more!

I tried on her helmet and it seemed to fit me well. I didn’t know much about MIPS at the time either, but have since joined a Facebook group MIPS Protection System Equestrian Helmets and have been lurking. (I highly recommend you to join too.)

If you are unfamiliar, MIPS stands for Multi-directional Impact Protection System. To simplify what MIPS is, if you look at my Trauma Void EQ3 you will notice the helmet has two layers: obviously the outer layer (think a traditional riding helmet) and a very thin inner layer. They are designed to rotate against each other in the event of a fall, which is supposed to mimic the rotation of the brain’s own cerebrospinal fluid. Why does this matter? Well, the fluid is our body’s natural defense against oblique impacts.

The other way I think of this is yes, it’s great to have a hard protective covering on your head should you fall and hit the ground. But wouldn’t it be better to have a way to move into the blow rather than SMACK straight on? I’m no scientist, but it makes sense to me to me that by having the slight rotation with the MIPS that it would distribute the impact better. (Thank you for listening to my overly simplified layman’s explanation. lol)

I went ahead and purchased a Trauma Void online. I felt confident in the sizing and fit because I had a chance to try on my friend’s and she had the same size I am.

According to the box my Trauma Void came in, “your helmet with MIPS inside, delivers higher safety properties and redirects and reduces damaging rotational motion to the brain than the same helmet without MIPS.”

Anecdotal Evidence of Awesome Protection

Now seems like a good time to mention that two people I am friends with on Instagram have had serious falls in recent months while wearing their Trauma Void EQ3 helmets. One of them is convinced the helmet saved her life, the other got very banged up with six fractures (ribs and vertebrae). The latter said it has been the worst fall of her riding career and she even hit her head against the wall of the covered riding arena and she did not get a concussion–the CT scan showed no abnormalities to her brain!

I have not had a fall wearing my Trauma Void EQ3 (and Lord willing–I won’t), but it’s nice to know the MIPS has an excellent track record from people I know, not just from the advertising materials.

Features and Benefits of the Trauma Void EQ3

Aside from the awesome brain protection, this helmet has not one, but TWO inner liners that are removable and washable. The two liners are padded a little bit differently so you can figure out which one is more comfortable for you. I love the fact you can wash the liners–no more icky, sweaty, grody helmet interior!

The profile of the helmet is quite traditional, which I also love. It’s simple and classic on the outside with high-performing brain defense on the inside. Win-win!

The other part I have to mention is every time I wear this helmet I get a compliment. The most recent was yesterday when the barn owner said she liked my helmet. I thanked her, said it had MIPS and relished telling her the modest price point. (I feel like such a savvy shopper! My helmet prior to this one was the equivalent to a month’s boarding cost!)

And I almost forgot to mention the wonderful vents for cooling.

In conclusion, if you want to up your brain protection game with a MIPS helmet, I highly recommend the Trauma Void EQ3–it’s pretty and it has a fair, you-won’t-be-broke price point. Pretty and protective? What could be better than that?

Thanks for reading and tally ho!

Leave a Comment: Do you ride in a MIPS helmet? What is currently protecting your noggin?

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