I’ve long known about Smith Optics and their collection of glasses for almost every type of sporting activity, but I was unaware of Smith helmets. Turns out I’ve been missing out on a good thing. Smith makes helmets for both cycling and snow sports, and seeing how it’s the middle of summer here in LA, the only option right now is cycling. The Trace sits at the top of the range and is a full-featured cycling helmet loaded with the latest tech. There are two specific safety features included in the design. The first is the MIPS Brain Protection System – the standard for high-end helmets. The same tech is trickling down to lower-priced helmets, and I suspect all helmets will eventually adopt the system. The other safety feature is the Koroyd construction. It is similar in appearance to honeycomb and is purportedly ideal for absorbing the energy from an impact. The Koroyd construction is also ideal for ventilation. Air flows through this helmet better than almost all others I’ve tried. It’s a clever design, and I expect the engineers responsible for its creation spent a lot of time honing it for the perfect mix of strength, light weight, and airflow. Another feature of this helmet that I fancy, is the straps. As evidenced in the photo above, the point at which the straps from the front and back meet is designed in a manner that allows them to lie flat. This is a welcome detail, as I find other designs lacking in this department, creating an awkward fit by the ears. Not an issue with the Trace. The sizing of the helmet seems spot on. I’m using a medium, (I’m on the cusp of medium/large) and the silhouette of the helmet on my head is quite modest. It’s a good-looking helmet, and so far the comfort is excellent. I’ve worn it on several long and extremely hot rides, and it’s been great. The helmet category for Smith is an excellent addition to their stellar glasses collection.
