Growing up, I didn’t ski with a helmet. For a few seasons, I didn’t even wear a hat. Those were the days – the days when I froze my ears and ran the risk of serious head injury. Not very bright on my part, but, as they say, live and learn. Luckily, I lived long enough to find the Smith Vantage helmet.
Click here to get your own Smith Vantage helmet
Here’s the lowdown:
Fit: Smith’s Vantage helmet fits most head shapes. It has an adjustable BOA reel dial for 360 degree adjustment to dial in your fit until it’s juuuuuuusssssst right. And I should know, I’m kind of a Goldilocks when it comes to helmet and boot fitting.
Goggle Integration: If you have Smith goggles, you’ll have the ultimate in integration between your helmet and your goggles, drawing air through the visor and over the frame of the goggle to keep them from fogging. If you have another brand of goggles, the helmet will still integrate nearly flawlessly with your goggle frame, and, depending on the manufacturer, will provide a similar anti-fog airflow. Most goggles, when paired with the Smith Vantage helmet, avoid the dreaded gap between goggle and helmet.
Venting: I run hot, so the first thing I look for in a helmet is venting – Will I be able to wear this helmet without overheating? The Vantage offers 2 separate venting zones that can be opened and closed independently, allowing for maximum customization and temperature control in all conditions. As an added bonus, they use an ultra-strong and lightweight honeycomb reinforcement called Koroyd that not only keeps you from getting poked through your helmet vent if you like skiing in tight trees, but also increases the protective value of the helmet.
Protection: The Vantage is a top-of-the-line helmet that offers certified protection. Just about the only way to get superior protection in a freeride helmet is to go with a MIPS system helmet (available in the Smith Vantage MIPS line). MIPS helmets, as the developers say, use a “revolutionary technology that lets the helmet slide relative to the head, adding more protection against rotational violence to the brain caused by angled impacts” – in other words, MIPS helmets help reduce the chances of getting concussed, or worse.
Style: With plenty of color options, there’s bound to be a Vantage helmet that will match your kit. If you’re really looking to up your style game, I recommend taking a look at some of the Smith goggle options to pair with your Vantage helmet, as they are designed with each other in mind.
Hood Compatibility: Being among the lower-profile helmets on the market, the Vantage is better at complying with the “hood compatibility” that many jackets advertise. In my experience, there aren’t many hoods that are able to fully cover a helmet, but I’ve had better luck with maximum coverage when using the Vantage.
For the ladies: The Vantage Women’s Helmets are essentially the same as the men’s, but with softer, fuzzier liners and slightly different branding and color options.
Room for a GoPro/stickers: You bet. Smith planned the vents to leave space to accommodate your action cam so you can get footy for the boys. Or, if you just want some room for stickers, you’re still covered.
Bottom line: If you’re still not wearing a helmet, you should probably at least consider it. And as long as you’re considering a helmet, the Smith Vantage is hard to beat.