Smith

Trace Mips Helmet

Comfortable Except for the Straps

I'm very pleased with the helmet overall. It's lightweight and comfortable, and the Mips technology is a great feature. The only thing I wasn't keen on was the triangle piece under the ear, which isn't adjustable. The plastic piece sits awkwardly on my jawbone for my head size and shape. I made sure I had the correct size helmet. Previous versions had an adjustable strap divider there, but the new version isn't adjustable.

Solid Helmet

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

Have had this helmet for over 6 months. Have used on road and mountain bike rides and races. Good fit, comfortable, fairly light. If you’re wondering, you can still stow your riding glasses in the helmet with the honeycomb padding.

Smith Trace Mips

Familiarity:

I returned this product before using it

Size Bought:

med

Height:

5' 6"

Weight:

155

Returning the helmet not because of the quality of the helmet but because of the straps near the ears not being adjustable.

Good not great helmet

I like a lot of things about this helmet. Looks good, ventilation is fine, and the fit is okay EXCEPT for the vapor-fit dial adjustment system. It sits higher around the back of the head than other helmets, and when tightened securely is somewhat uncomfortable. Also, the dial adjuster is nearly impossible to turn when your hands are sweaty. Difficult to adjust on the fly. Needs some knurling on the surface to improve grip. Frankly, I've worn other several other brands that fit my head better, including Specialized, Kask, and Rudy Project (which I ruined in a crash and was unable to replace with the same color). This Smith Trace was on sale when I purchased it online. Should have tried it on first but could not find one locally

Trace Saved me!

I just had a crash at a bike event. I sustained a concussion along with other minor jnjuries. I do not recall the circumstances of or immediately after the accident. I do feel this helmet protected me from much more severe head injuries. Trace has mips but also the “honeycomb” structure of koroyd. There is little perceptible damage to the helmet. I have to buy a new one now but I wish the crash sensor was incorporated into the hi-vis colored trace. Why not?!

Good Protection

Familiarity:

I've used it several times

Size Bought:

M

I bought a second one for my son after using one for over a year. It is easy to adjust for fitting, has very good ventilation, is light weight, and works well with sunglasses. Seems it is more comfortable that lower priced, older helmets that I have used.

Fits extremely well, very adjustable.

Fits extremely well, very adjustable. Airflow could be better, but it never feels overly hot even on the warmest days.

Great helmet

Excellent fit. The chin strap design solves the irritating problem with older designs where the straps rub your ears. I am very pleased with the helmet.

So close to greatness, yet so far...

Familiarity:

I returned this product before using it

Ahh this helmet. It looks great -- good looking and well built, has multiple safety technologies built in, has a great fit out of the box and the fit adjustment is great too. It has a full coverage shell which I like as well. The hi-viz colorway is great. So many things to like about this helmet. But there is no padding on the mid-to-back underside of the shell that sits right on the top of my hairless head, maybe because of the MIPS insert. So the hard foam sits right on top of my head and gets compressed down into my head when the helmet is tightened. I could tell that is going to hurt on a long ride, so I had to send it back. I'm bummed, this helmet was so close to greatness but Smith dropped the ball on the padding. If Smith comes out with a new version of this helmet that has full padding all the way across the underside of the shell, I would buy that in a heartbeat.

Great helmet

Familiarity:

I've used it several times

Size Bought:

L

Height:

5' 10"

Weight:

155

I was tired of getting bees in the helmet so this one has some protection, with its honeycomb structuring. I think the strap could be a little better for my shape, but that's very individual, obviously.