Nicola Rutzou
While no safety device can keep cyclists completely safe, it’s nice to know that some companies are focusing strongly on safety.
When I was approached to review a helmet from US company Smith Optics, I must admit that I’d never heard of the brand, at least in relation to helmets. It turns out that they’ve only been designing and making helmets for about 12 years, but they’ve put some significant R&D into their bicycle helmets.
Smith Optics was founded in 1965 by Bob Smith, an orthodontist and ski enthusiast, who, unsurprisingly, developed ski goggles as his first product. This grew to other types of sports glasses. In 1996, the business was acquired by Italian eyewear company Safilo, which retained the Smith name.
The company entered the bike helmet market in 2013 with the launch of its first helmet, utilising its partnership with protection brand Koroyd (more about that later). In just 12 years, Smith Optics has become the third largest premium bike helmet brand in North America.
Trace MIPS helmet
Smith describes the Trace helmet as being for “road, gravel, and XC athletes who need a lightweight, well-ventilated helmet with premium protection systems.”
The first thing that struck me about it is the quality feel and the snug fit. I have a relatively small head and typically wear a small-size helmet in most brands, so I opted for the small Trace. Sometimes, I find small helmets just a shade too snug, but in this instance, it fits me like a glove, so I was instantly comfortable with it.
The chin strap was a little complicated to set up, but once I had it sorted, I was also comfortable with it, and now it’s always ready to go. The Y-shaped separators were easy to adjust to stop them from rubbing on my ears.
The next thing I noticed was the large number of vents, with a total of 18. Eleven of these are obscured by what looks like a honeycomb material which is called Koroyd. It was apparently developed by a company called Koroyd, as a safety system, some 15 years ago. It appears to be flexible, but is actually rigid. I’m told it is designed to dissipate impact forces by crumpling, and works in tandem with the polystyrene foam layer.
Koroyd developed the product as a result of aerospace safety research. The company says that polystyrene is “relatively light, durable, and can absorb energy in the event of an impact. Koroyd is lighter, more breathable and absorbs more energy – distinct performance advantages without compromising one for another”.
The Koroyd honeycomb works with the MIPS system to make the helmet doubly safe. Thankfully, I didn’t get to test the efficacy of the safety features, but it’s reassuring to know it’s there.
For those who are unfamiliar, MIPS is a technology that is licensed to helmet manufacturers. It is a plastic liner that allows movement and sits between the outer shell of the helmet and your head. MIPS is designed to reduce rotational forces to the head in the event of an impact, mimicking the brain’s protective membranes and allowing the skull to move slightly, thus reducing the risk of brain injury.
By using these two safety systems, Smith has made the Trace helmet a bit heavier than some of its key competitors. I’d rather trade safety for a couple of hundred grams. On my head, it felt lightweight and comfortable and didn’t feel like it weighed more than my other premium helmets.
At the rear of the helmet is a dial adjustment system that Smith calls VaporFit. It’s not dissimilar to a BOA dial, so it’s easy to adjust in micro increments to get the perfect fit. I could even fit my ponytail between the fit system and helmet.
Inside the Trace, there is a minimal amount of padding, but it was not uncomfortable as a result.
Helmet certification
Helmet certification in Australia is currently undergoing changes, but Smith Optics informs me that the Trace helmet has been tested to ensure it meets the requirements of AS/NZS 2063 certification. It is also CPSC and EN1078 certified.
Summing up
The Smith Trace MIPS is a versatile and comfortable helmet featuring two safety systems – MIPS and Koroyd – as well as understated looks. It represents good value for $375 and is available in four colour options.
