Smith Forefront helmet

NOT CONTENT WITH supplying eyewear to some of our favourite riders – Steve Peat, Aaron Gwin and Brandon Semenuk, to name just three – Smith Optics have been edging their way into the helmet business. After focusing initially on skiing and snowboarding lids, they’ve taken the lessons learned on snow and used them to develop their first bike helmet.

Visually and technically a step away from other all-mountain/enduro lids, the new Forefront is packed with design and construction innovations. The most obvious is its use of Koroyd – a new material that looks like a load of drinking straws packed tightly together but is claimed to absorb impacts better than EPS foam as well as delivering improved airflow. Use of this material also means the vents in the outer shell can be made larger without compromising strength.

The helmet is available in three sizes and has a height-adjustable cradle and rotary dial to help you tailor the fit. With a two-position adjustable peak, a shell designed to work with glasses or goggles, an integrated helmet cam/light attachment point (mounts available separately) and a choice of nine colour combinations, the Forefront is packed with plenty of features to back up its price tag. Our medium sample weighs 330g.

PRICE 280$

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All Arround MTB

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