Smith

Venture Mips Helmet

Smith broadened its helmet line last season with new offerings appealing to trail riders on a budget and those just starting out. Once again, the crafty designers at Smith have managed to stuff a host of useful protection and comfort-enhancing features into the Venture MIPS Helmet while keeping its cost down, so you don't have to empty all of your funds for future bike upgrades and upcoming trips to iconic trail systems.

Emulating the more expensive Rover Helmet, the Venture MIPS Helmet is extremely lightweight and well-ventilated with its In-Mold construction, yet it doesn't sacrifice protection with its rugged polycarbonate shell and upgraded MIPS technology. Because it borrows its design from the more expensive Rover, Smith opted to leave out the honeycomb-like Koroyd inserts, which is a deliberate choice to keep the costs down into more affordable territory.

MIPS places a low-friction, elastomeric liner that disperses rotational forces before they're transferred through the helmet, which is a nice benefit to trail riders hurtling down technical, rock-lined trails at high speeds, especially at this price point. Looking onto the rest of the helmet, you'll find 20 optimized vents that rapidly disperse heat, an integrated visor to keep harsh sunlight and overhanging branches at bay, plus Smith's VaporFit system for a fine-tuned fit and feel.