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$
