Smith Trace MIPS Bike Helmet Review

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Whether you’re tackling long winding descents or embarking on a race-day lead-out, the Smith Trace MIPS Bike Helmet is the ultimate helmet for versatility. Designed for road, gravel, or bikepacking adventures, this helmet combines the innovative KOROYD® material with the renowned MIPS® technology, ensuring unrivaled protection even in the most challenging conditions. With internal air channels and intake/exhaust ports, the Trace keeps you cool during intense rides. Plus, its side channels provide a convenient storage spot for your sunglasses, while the AirEvac ventilation system prevents fogging. Get ready to experience the perfect blend of performance, protection, and comfort with the Smith Trace MIPS Bike Helmet.

Smith Trace MIPS Helmet Fit

Before getting into on-head fit, I want to comment on how low-profile and good-looking I feel the Trace MIPS is. There seem to be a lot of helmets on the market these days that have gotten very bulky and they just make me feel like a bobble head; the Trace MIPS isn’t one of them. Helmet fit is a tricky subject to review because everyone’s heads are a little different shaped and often what fits one person great is totally wrong for another. That out of the way, the Smith Trace MIPS fits my particular head quite well and I don’t feel between sizes like I do with many helmet brands. The padding is nicely placed and there are no spots that seem to stick out uncomfortably. Smith’s VaporFit dial adjustment customizes the fit to your head by providing a 270-degree piece to tighten or loosen as needed and I found this to distribute the pressure at the back of the head well. Additionally, you can adjust where the strap falls by moving the pieces that the buckle attaches to. I think this is an often overlooked part of fitting a helmet and I’m glad Smith has it but it’s more fiddly than I’d like. Last thing I’d say about fit is that it’s time for Smith to include a magnetic quick connect/disconnect style buckle on their helmets. I’ve been spoiled by Fidlock type buckles and traditional buckles just feel out of place on high end helmets now.

Safety Features Abound

The Smith Trace MIPS helmet includes two main safety features to give you the best protection it can while balancing ventilation and weight. As the name implies, MIPS is included to reduce rotational forces caused by angled impacts to the head. In my opinion, you shouldn’t buy a helmet without MIPS because it’s been shown in the Va Tech safety lab to help in a crash. Additionally, Smith put complete KOROYD coverage for energy-absorption on the Trace MIPS. KOROYD is a honeycomb lattice designed to dissipate impact forces by crumpling and do this better and at a lighter weight than commonly used EPS foam. The only downside of KOROYD is that it tends to reduce ventilation because of the orientation of the grid structure. Fortunately, Smith does have two large central vents to provide decent airflow.

Smith Trace MIPS Bike Helmet Details

Protection

• Complete KOROYD® coverage for lightweight, energy-absorbing and ventilated impact protection
• Mips® Brain Protection System reduces rotational forces caused by angled impacts to the head
• Integrated skeletal structure creates a roll cage for added strength and impact protection
• CPSC and CE EN 1078 certified

Fit / Integration

• Designed for ultimate integration with Smith performance eyewear for maximum comfort, venting and storage convenience
• AirEvac ventilation system integrates with Smith eyewear for fog-free lenses
• VaporFit dial adjustment system offers 270-degree fit adjustment with the turn of a dial

Features

• 18 fixed vents for consistent airflow
• Ionic+® antimicrobial lining offers sweat-activated odor control
• Lightweight, low-bulk single layer webbing
• Weight (Size M, Mips®): 10 oz / 280 g

How does it perform as a multi-discipline helmet?

The common refrain of jack of all trades, master of none is often applied to gear that attempts to appeal to multiple users but I don’t think it applies here. I used the Smith Trace MIPS helmet on 50 mile road bike rides, short hill climbs, gravel road rides and some easy single track and I never felt like I had the wrong helmet on. That’s really the best testament I can give to its versatility. On the road, it was low profile enough that I wasn’t feeling the need for a true aero-road helmet. On gravel, it felt like it had enough safety features and coverage to protect me. On a hard effort steep and hot hill climb, there was enough ventilation to not feel my head cooking. The only time I’d say I’d look for more is if I’m riding technical single track on my gravel bike and at that point, I’m usually wearing a full coverage mountain bike helmet. Overall, the Trace MIPS helmet does a great job working in a variety of terrain and weather. It’s not feather-weight but plenty light enough. It has all the safety features I look for and a great fit, rounding out an excellent helmet option for a lot of people. For more info on the Trace MIPS Helmet or other Smith products, visit www.smithoptics.com or www.rei.com.