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For years, the Smith Vantage MIPS has remained our favorite overall helmet. The feature set of this helmet makes it a repeat fan-favorite for our testers. The easily adjustable Boa dial system eliminates pressure points, providing a comfortable, custom fit regardless of head shape. The versatile ventilation system allows you to pick which vents you want to open, so that you can tailor the amount of airflow. The Vantage uses MIPS technology to better absorb the rotational impact forces commonly associated with brain injuries. It also employs a generous amount of Koroyd, which is a welded tube structure designed to absorb the impact forces and decrease your chances of serious injury from direct hits. These features, plus the helmet's tight, high-quality construction, makes it an easy choice for any die-hard skier.   
The only real downside to the Smith Vantage MIPS is its high price. The best-of-the-best doesn't come cheap, but there's value in spending more to get more, especially when it comes to head protection – as they say, you only get one of them! The Vantage MIPS is appropriate for any skier or rider simply looking for the best ski helmet available on the market.

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We’ve tested a lot of ski helmets, and none is more impressive than the Smith Vantage. The quality and attention to detail are clear, with a soft but supportive liner, excellent coverage all around your head, and an easy-to-adjust Boa dial for fit. You simply put on the helmet and forget that it’s there—the Vantage feels that comfortable and light. You also get superior ventilation with a total of 21 vents controlled by two separate sliders for easy customization. All in all, you won’t find a helmet that is so comfortable and universally capable of frontside and backcountry use.

The Vantage also comes with all the safety bells and whistles in the Smith arsenal. Their distinctive honeycomb Aerocore construction is visible through the vent openings and intended to improve energy absorption in a crash. And the popular MIPS liner, designed to protect your brain in an angled impact, is included. These safety features are tough to quantify, but it’s worth noting that the extra tech is integrated very well into the low-profile design. Whether the whole package is worth the steep $270 price tag is up to you. Editor’s note: we’ve found the MIPS model does run a bit small, so those on the high end of the fit range may have to size up... Read in-depth reviewSee the Smith Vantage MIPS  See the Women's Smith Vantage MIPS

For years, the Smith Vantage MIPS has remained our favorite overall helmet. The feature set of this helmet makes it a repeat fan favorite for our testers. The easily adjustable Boa dial system eliminates pressure points, providing a comfortable, custom fit regardless of head shape. The versatile ventilation system allows you to pick which vents you want to open so that you can tailor the amount of airflow. The Vantage uses MIPS technology to better absorb the rotational impact forces commonly associated with brain injuries. It also employs a generous amount of Koroyd, which is a welded tube structure designed to absorb the impact forces and decrease your chances of serious injury from direct hits. These features, plus the helmet's tight, high-quality construction, makes it an easy choice for any die-hard skier.   
The only real downside to the Smith Vantage MIPS is its high price. The best-of-the-best doesn't come cheap, but there's value in spending more to get more, especially when it comes to head protection – as they say, you only get one of them! The Vantage MIPS is appropriate for any skier or rider simply looking for the best ski helmet available on the market.
Read more: Smith Vantage MIPS review

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Smith Vantage Helmet | Blister

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Switchback Travel | Smith Vantage MIPS Helmet Review

The Smith Mission MIPS is our recommendation as a budget-friendly helmet for those who frequently split their time between riding chairlifts and the backcountry. Purchasing a helmet for each activity can be a financial burden and unnecessary depending on one's touring goals. The Mission achieves an equitable share of front and backcountry needs in a helmet. It is a well-balanced model with many favorable features of a resort helmet like adjustable vents, a warm liner, MIPS, and Koroyd, all in a lightweight, low profile, backcountry-ready package. It is only a few ounces heavier than the lightest helmet in our review but offers more utility to the standard ski tour. For the average recreational backcountry skier, the marginal weight increase is a reasonable tradeoff for enhanced impact protection and other amenities this helmet provides. This unique balance of features and performance led to the Mission being one of the first helmets our testers reached for, whether you are spending the day riding groomers or touring out of our favorite trailhead. 
Our snowboarding reviewer's main hesitation when reaching for this helmet was its styling. Fortunately, this is subjective, and anything can look stylish if you own it. Additionally, removing the earpads was more complicated than other models. When removing the pads, it felt similar to breaking the plastic insert. Because the pads are integrated into the harness system, you need to remove the harness attachment near the temple area of the helmet. Despite these minor quirks, this helmet's lightweight, functional, breathable, and protective nature makes it a choice option for those who want one helmet for front and backcountry use. 
Read Review: Smith Mission MIPS

The Smith Mission MIPS is our recommendation as a budget-friendly helmet for those who frequently split their time between riding chairlifts and the backcountry. Purchasing a helmet for each activity can be a financial burden and unnecessary depending on one's touring goals. The Mission achieves an equitable share of front and backcountry needs in a helmet. It is a well-balanced model with many favorable features of a resort helmet like adjustable vents, a warm liner, MIPS, and Koroyd, all in a lightweight, low profile, backcountry-ready package. It is only a few ounces heavier than the lightest helmet in our review but offers more utility to the standard ski tour. For the average recreational backcountry skier, the marginal weight increase is a reasonable tradeoff for enhanced impact protection and other amenities this helmet provides. This unique balance of features and performance led to the Mission being one of the first helmets our testers reached for, whether you are spending the day riding groomers or touring out of our favorite trailhead. 
Our snowboarding reviewer's main hesitation when reaching for this helmet was its styling. Fortunately, this is subjective, and anything can look stylish if you own it. Additionally, removing the earpads was more complicated than other models. When removing the pads, it felt similar to breaking the plastic insert. Because the pads are integrated into the harness system, you need to remove the harness attachment near the temple area of the helmet. Despite these minor quirks, this helmet's lightweight, functional, breathable, and protective nature makes it a choice option for those who want one helmet for front and backcountry use. 
Read more: Smith Mission MIPS review

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Smith Mission Helmet

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Switchback Travel | Smith Level MIPS Helmet Review

The Anon Logan Wavecel is our recommendation for freestyle riders because of its comfort, ventilation, and protection features without losing out on style. The Anon Logan is a relatively lightweight and low-profile model, making it easy to forget about atop your noggin. This model incorporates Wavecel technology to increase its protective merit. Wavecel is a protection technology designed to flex, crumple, and glide to help dissipate force and prevent injuries from rotational impacts commonly experienced in ski accidents. The Logan is also a very well-ventilated helmet. The new school skate-inspired styling is at home whether you are freeriding or in the terrain park. This helmet makes little compromises to ensure it's one you will wear.
Its lack of adjustable vents only holds back this light and comfortable helmet. It was a bit airy when traveling at speed and on very cold days. While it offers impressive ventilation due to the vent structure and Wavecel, we needed a thin beanie on colder days to stay warm. Ultimately, this helmet is excellent for freestyle riders or those who generally don't like wearing a helmet. Its overall comfort and protective features make this helmet a no-brainer. 
Read Review: Anon Logan Wavecel

The Anon Logan Wavecel is our recommendation for freestyle riders because of its comfort, ventilation, and protection features without losing out on style. The Anon Logan is a relatively lightweight and low-profile model, making it easy to forget about atop your noggin. This model incorporates Wavecel technology to increase its protective merit. Wavecel is a protection technology designed to flex, crumple, and glide to help dissipate force and prevent injuries from rotational impacts commonly experienced in ski accidents. The Logan is also a very well-ventilated helmet. The new school skate-inspired styling is at home whether you are freeriding or in the terrain park. This helmet makes little compromises to ensure it's one you will wear.
Its lack of adjustable vents only holds back this light and comfortable helmet. It was a bit airy when traveling at speed and on very cold days. While it offers impressive ventilation due to the vent structure and Wavecel, we needed a thin beanie on colder days to stay warm. Ultimately, this helmet is excellent for freestyle riders or those who generally don't like wearing a helmet. Its overall comfort and protective features make this helmet a no-brainer. 
Read more: Anon Logan Wavecel review

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Smith has once again produced a top-of-the-line ski helmet with the Smith Quantum MIPS. It has all the features you'd expect from one of the nicest helmets on the market. This model feels luxuriously warm in comparison to other models. A large number of vents keep your head nice and cool on warm days, and the cozy ear covers are removable. Easy size adjustment using the BOA wheel, combined with MIPS technology and Koroyd construction, makes this one of the best fitting and most protective helmets we tested. 
Much like its sibling, the Vantage, the Quantum doesn't come cheap, but you're buying the tricked-out Cadillac Escalade of helmets, so the quality and features help justify the price tag. The main differences between the Quantum and the Vantage are that the Quantum is a little heavier, comes with a magnetic buckle system, and doesn't vent quite as well as the Vantage. 
Read Review: Smith Quantum MIPS

Smith has once again produced a top-of-the-line ski helmet with the Smith Quantum MIPS. It has all the features you'd expect from one of the nicest helmets on the market. This model feels luxuriously warm in comparison to other models. A large number of vents keep your head nice and cool on warm days, and the cozy ear covers are removable. Easy size adjustment using the BOA wheel, combined with MIPS technology and Koroyd construction, makes this one of the best fitting and most protective helmets we tested. 
Much like its sibling, the Vantage, the Quantum doesn't come cheap, but you're buying the tricked-out Cadillac Escalade of helmets, so the quality and features help justify the price tag. The main differences between the Quantum and the Vantage are that the Quantum is a little heavier, comes with a magnetic buckle system, and doesn't vent quite as well as the Vantage. 
Read more: Smith Quantum MIPS review

Switchback Travel | Smith Quantum MIPS Helmet Review

Smith Quantum Review | Gear Institute

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The Giro Ratio MIPS strikes an impressive balance of value and performance. Like other top-price models, the Ratio MIPS includes a premium set of features, but utilizes a cost-friendly hardshell construction to keep the price reasonable. The ventilation system is excellent, with six adjustable vents that allow you to micro-manage the airflow and your temperature. The helmet uses a harness system for an adjustable fit, managed by an oversized dial that is easily adjusted while wearing gloves. Unlike other helmets at this price point, this helmet is outfitted with MIPS technology to protect against rotational impact forces – proving that you don't have to pay top dollar for additional protection.
While beneficial for cost savings, the hardshell construction is also our biggest complaint with this helmet. The increased weight and size is more noticeable while riding, and the overly bulky appearance detracts from its style. But for skiers and riders looking for a high-quality helmet on a budget, the money you save far outweighs these minor drawbacks. The Giro Ratio MIPS is an excellent option for casual skiers looking for a new lid that offers great features, top-notch protective technology, and avoids the sticker shock of many top models in this review.

The Giro Ratio MIPS strikes an impressive balance of value and performance. The Ratio MIPS includes a premium set of features, but utilizes a cost-friendly hardshell construction to keep the price reasonable. The ventilation system is excellent, with six adjustable vents that allow you to micro-manage the airflow and your temperature. The helmet uses a harness system for an adjustable fit, managed by an oversized dial that is easily adjusted while wearing gloves. Unlike other helmets at this price point, this helmet is outfitted with MIPS technology to protect against rotational impact forces – proving that you don't have to pay top dollar for additional protection.
While beneficial for cost savings, the hardshell construction is also our biggest complaint with this helmet. The increased weight and size is more noticeable while riding, and the overly bulky appearance detracts from its style. But for skiers and riders looking for a high-quality helmet on a budget, the money you save far outweighs these minor drawbacks. The Giro Ratio MIPS is an excellent option for casual skiers looking for a new lid that offers great features, top-notch protective technology, and avoids the sticker shock of many top models in this review.
Read more: Giro Ratio MIPS review

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