SMITH Level MIPS Helmet

Product Information

There are 2 pieces of foam inside the ear pads you can take out when installing speakers. The ear pads will still feel thin with speakers in them. We did find that the zipper to get access to the speakers is a little stiff and doesn’t open and close smoothly. I’d rather have velcro for this. Appearance Full and functional feature set including a MIPS liner, 20 vents (10 of which are adjustable), and easy fit customization.

Smith Optics is generally regarded as one of the top companies in the business, and their flagship optical line is their ChromaPop technology. From a technical point of view, the idea behind ChromaPop is to increase the separation between the colors that you’re seeing to enhance contrast. Technically, they do this by creating lenses that filter out some of the intermediate areas of the visible spectrum, essentially creating a bigger ‘gap’ between colors. They have a variety of lenses for a variety of applications, everything from road riding to fishing to surfing. The high and low light lenses that came with the I/O Mag Goggles.Dual Regulator Vents - Dual adjustable vents allow you to open or close the front and rear vents independently to get the perfect comfort level

We place a high priority on ventilation. Throughout the course of an average resort day, we open and close our vents on multiple occasions as we hunker down on a windy lift ride or heat up on a sidecountry hike. The technology behind keeping you at a comfortable temperature isn’t as simple as putting a bunch of holes in the helmet—that winter air is rather cold and can lead to dreaded brain freeze when you are trying to let out some steam. Smith's Vantage (left) has far better ventilation than a budget option like the Anon Raider (right) Digging more specifically into the helmet, I was really pleased with the ventilation system during testing. It seems to be what Smith has nailed down more than any other helmet manufacturer. The Level has 22 vents total, and you can adjust ten of them with a selector mounted on top of the helmet. Adjusting them actually does make a noticeable difference, which is really the only way to tell that they’re doing anything. Personally, I was really pleased with the adjustment mechanism. On one bitingly cold day when I was wearing my giant mountaineering mitts, I could easily reach up and adjust the vents despite not having fingers to use. 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While a number of ski helmets are unisex and are perfectly fine for either men or women, there is a wide selection of women’s-specific snow helmets. These models are quite similar to men’s versions, but with different colorways for the shell and liner, as well as having a smaller fit. There will often be a name change, but the technology is all the same—and so is the pricing. When applicable, we've included the link to both the men's and women's versions of the helmet. Wearing the women's variation of the Smith Vantage When to Replace Your Ski Helmet Construction styles for ski helmets can be broken into three general categories: ABS for the best durability, in-mold for the lightest weight, and hybrid in-mold for a nice compromise between the two. Below we break down the pros and cons of each type and who they're best for. The helmet market includes a mix of ABS, in-mold, and hybrid construction types The Smith Levels Mips has a hybrid shell construction, a solid outer shell with a lightweight in-mould inner shell. You are protected at all times from impact due to falls, thanks to the Koroyd inserts in specific zones and the MIPS Brain Protection System reduces the rotational forces that ensure durability. Experience a chill day full of adventure in the Alps with the Smith ski and snowboard helmet. The removable Snapfit SL2 earpads provide warmth and are audio compatible while the XT2 antimicrobial lining with sweat-activated odour control keeps bacterial infection at bay. The VaporFit Snow dial adjustment system offers 270 degrees of adjustment. Smith Levels Mips: Best Price UK Hybrid Shell - A combination of lightweight and durable materials makes this one of the safest helmets on the market

Goggles meet Helmet: A Love Story

It has 2 AirEvac goggle defog vents on the front of the helmet. These work great at keeping your goggles free of fog. They work best with Smith goggles but will work okay with almost any brand of ski goggle. Audio Compatible Removable ear pads It’s easy to recommend the Smith Level Helmet and I/O MAG Goggles for skiers and boarders, especially someone who’s maybe looking to upgrade to an integrated system. I was totally pleased with the goggles in both high and low light conditions. The helmet is very good also, with ventilation that actually makes a difference. If you need something for your spring touring or want to get geared up for a 2021 ski season that hopefully won’t be cut short by a pandemic – take a look at Smith. But to go from a decent fit to a great fit, we recommend popping into your local ski shop to try on a variety of helmets. Helmet shape and fit can vary across the board—both between brands and between models—and it’s possible that any given design simply won't fit your head shape. We've made sure to call out the various fit discrepancies in the write-ups above, but there's no substitute to trying on each helmet for yourself. To maximize compatibility, many of Smith’s helmets come in two different fits: a standard fit and their “Round Contour Fit” that accommodates rounder head shapes with more width at the rear and a shorter length. From our list above, these include the Vantage, Level, and Nexus. Dual Regulator ventilation system independently controls the front and rear sections of the helmet vents, allowing you to modulate your body temperature even in extremely cold conditions. By exhausting heat through the rear vents while maintaining a sealed front end, your body can effectively cool down if needed and avoid the dreaded ice cream headache. Snapfit SL2 ear pads and headband can be fully removed for extra ventilation on the warmest of days.

The inner lining is cushy and warm, and it’s also removable for an easy wash. Although, frankly, with the antibacterial coating my sweaty head hasn’t inspired any odors to develop. The ear pads can also accommodate third-party Outdoor Products ear chips that were designed for Smith helmets, for those who like music or the ability to do hands-free calling. One issue that I did have was that the lining kept getting slightly wrinkled as I wore it, leading to creases the caused irritating pressure as the day wore on. I think that more velcro attachment tabs would have solved that. POC’s Obex MIPS is another premium design to consider. Like the Level, the Obex utilizes MIPS’ impact-ready safety tech, boasts an in-mold build with a tough ABS shell at the top, and has a highly adjustable fit system that secures evenly around the head. The Smith wins out in ventilation with nine more vents and added adjustability (only the top vents are adjustable on the POC), and despite the Obex’s lighter 1-pound weight, we found that it felt bulkier and less streamlined than the Level. Further, the interior padding isn’t as plush as the Smith, and we prefer more cushioning along the chinstrap in particular. The differences aren't dramatic, but it's enough for us to give the edge to the Level.

Boa adjustment systems, like that found on Smith’s Vantage, tighten more evenly than the Level’s VaporFit design (although the difference is minor). Goggle retainers are a simple but appreciated feature. The built-in clip holds goggle straps in place and helps reduce the risk of losing your ski goggles in a crash or otherwise. Designs do vary some: Many budget helmets use a simple plastic piece that flips open, while higher-end helmets will have a more secure strap or cord design. Pricier models are typically a little more confidence-inspiring and easier to manipulate—particularly without removing the helmet—but all the designs we've tried perform their intended function. The goggle retainer strap on the Oakley Mod5 AirEvac Ventilation allows goggles and helmets to function as one system, venting warm moist air away from the goggles, through the helmet climate control system and ultimately away from the head. Tasked with keeping you safe from hard impacts on the hill, the helmets on our list have a non-motorized snow sports safety certification from US-based ASTM International. Despite construction differences referenced above, these helmets all follow a basic design with a shell exterior and impact-absorbing interior, and are appropriate for both skiing and snowboarding (you can find our dedicated list of snowboarding helmets here). If you’re headed to the slopes, it’s important that you use a helmet designed for the job (i.e., don’t use a mountain bike helmet for skiing), and refrain from using it for tasks outside of its intended use (such as snowmobiling). And of course, the onus is still, as it should be, on the user to ride within your limits. The Salomon MTN Lab is certified for both snow sports and climbing I count 22 vents on the helmet. It has a lot of vent area compared to most other helmets. We haven’t found a warm ski day yet where we thought the helmet was too hot with all the vents open. AirEvac goggle anti-fog vents