Smith Vantage Mips Review

The Vantage is Smith's top-of-the-line snowsports helmet. In our test, it performed well in most aspects, but excelled in terms of ventilation.

Performance Comparison

Impact Test

Although all helmets must adhere to baseline standards for downhill skiing certification, the level of protection they provide can largely vary between models. To evaluate the helmets' impact performance, we procured an extra helmet and sent it to ACT Lab for detailed crash testing. ACT Lab is an accredited ISO/IEC 17025 lab. The laboratory performs two experiments utilizing a drop tower, a dummy head equipped with sensors, and a new helmet.

The results enabled us to determine each helmet's impact force absorption capabilities by means of accelerometer sensors within the replicate human head. To imitate a slow impact fall, the helmet was dropped from a height of 1 meter. To simulate a fast impact, the dummy head was dropped from a height of 2.3 meters.

We took the data we received from the lab and calculated a score of 1-10 for both slow and fast impacts and then took an average of the two. The Vantage showed some decent results in this assessment, landing right about in the middle of the pack.

Comfort

The comfort of a ski helmet goes a long way to influencing the quality of your day out. Comfort is one of our most important metrics; we rode each model at the ski resort and assessed the padding and fit to see what shape head each model was designed for and if it was comfortable for a full day. The Smith Vantage is one of the most comfortable helmets found in our review thanks to its lightweight BOA adjustment system and versatile fit.

As with most Smith helmets, the Vantage fits a wide range of head shapes. While it is versatile, the Vantage fits an intermediate to long oval head best. The easy-to-adjust BOA adjust system makes it easy for this helmet to form comfortably to most head shapes. The BOA is easy to access and can be manipulated easily without the need to remove your gloves. The earpieces are plush and comfortable next to skin. We did notice that the earpads applied more pressure to our ears when we were wearing earbuds. The liner has a light fleece around the contact zones of your head, which has a smooth and soft next-to-skin feel. The shape, liner, and BOA system make this a stand-out performer in the realm of comfort.

The hybrid shell exhibits qualities of an in-mold construction lid. It has a sleek, low profile, lightweight, and intricate ventilation system, making this helmet easy to forget while riding.

Warmth

There can be some cold but incredible ski days throughout the winter, and having warm gear can help you make the most of them. We rode around the ski resort in all conditions, with and without skull caps and buffs, to quantify the helmet's inherent warmth. The Vantage is one of the warmer helmets in our review based on its ability to close the vents and warm earpads.

On the coldest days, we noticed a slight draft underneath the earpieces. This was the only flaw we found, and it's difficult to address without making the earpieces uncomfortably tight. However, on days with temperatures in the single digits, our testers were able to comfortably wear a thin beanie or buff under the helmet. On warmer stormy days, our testers could wear the helmet without anything underneath, whereas other helmets would have required a light beanie or buff to stay warm.

This helmet was one of the warmest that we tested when all the vents were closed, with a snug fit and tensioned earpieces. If you do end up sweating, the antimicrobial lining will keep the helmet fresh after consecutive days on the hill.

Ventilation

When you put your heart and soul into your run, you are bound to build up some heat; ideally, an effective ventilation system can prevent you from sweating. We looked at the vent system for each helmet by riding at the resort, walking upstairs, and riding our bikes. The Vantage stood out for its effective and robust ventilation system that helps keep us cool.

The Vantage offers one of our best ventilation systems. The helmet offers 20 medium-sized vents, 12 of which are fully adjustable. The adjustability allows you to trap in heat, shed out the precip when your favorite run has free refills, and release excess heat when riding slush in the sun. There are two separate toggles to operate the adjustable vents for even more temperature control. The toggles are easy to use with gloves and slide smoothly, especially compared to other models. The placement of the vents is ideal, optimally creating airflow through the helmet and exhausting the warm air from your goggles.

While riding our bike at 20 mph, we noticed effective air movement from the intake vents and a slight draft from the ear pads. In our stair test, we built up heat for 5 minutes and then walked around to move air through the helmet. We noticed that we built up less heat while stair climbing but were allowed to return to a normal temperature faster than other helmets in the review. Our testing found this helmet to offer some of the best ventilation of any helmet we have tried.

Usability

Would you rather have adjustable vents requiring you to take your glove off or offer to use a smooth, easy-to-use toggle? The usability of a helmet depends on the design of the helmet's features and the overall user experience on the mountain. The design and overall quality of the Vantage make this an easy-to-use and enjoyable helmet with plenty of bells and whistles.

The profile and lightweight of this helmet make it a desirable lid for use all around the mountain. Weighing in at 17.7 ounces, we find this helmet appropriate for backcountry use. While it's not the lightest and isn't an ideal option for ski mountaineering, for most single-day ski tours, we have no objection to packing the Vantage in our backcountry kit.

As mentioned earlier in the review, the BOA adjustable harness system and adjustable vent toggles are models for other products that offer easy access and user-friendliness. The goggle strap holder, which keeps your goggles attached to the helmet and keeps them in place, is simple and easy to use. It does its job without a hiccup. The only thing missing on this helmet is a magnetic buckle to improve the one-and-off experience with gloves on.

Should You Buy the Smith Vantage Mips?

If you spend a ton of time skiing and can afford it, you'll probably feel that throwing down for one of the nicest helmets out there is worth it. It's well-built and has a variety of bells and whistles. It's a perfect lid for free-riders looking for a low-profile lid with a top-tier ventilation system.

What Other Ski Helmets Should You Consider?

If the brimmed freeride style isn't your cup of tea, but you're still looking for premium features, then consider our favorite helmet, the Scott Symbol 2 Plus D Mips, that features a minimalistic style, adjustable vents, and best-in-class impact protection.