Smith Vantage 2 Mips Review

We've been testing the Vantage line for years and the Smith Vantage 2 Mips is the best yet. After spending months with the Vantage II, we found it to be even more comfortable and user-friendly.

Performance Comparison

Impact Test

Our impact testing done at the ACT Lab found the Smith Vantage 2 Mips to be more average, though the Vantage II did better at the lab than the original Vantage.

Slow Impact Test Results

The Smith Vantage 2 Mips did fairly well in the slow impact testing, coming in about average.

Fast Impact Test Results

The fast impact test helped the overall scores in this metric of the Smith Vantage II Mips, landing higher in the review's lineup.

Overall, the Smith Vantage 2 Mips was competitive in the impact testing metric, and we were glad to see it perform better than the original Vantage. It does also include a Mips system for angled impact.

Comfort

This is the metric where the Smith Vantage 2 Mips really shined throughout our testing process. Simply put, if you don't mind spending more for comfort, this could very well be the helmet for you.

The Smith Vantage 2 Mips uses more voluminous shaping than some of the competition, accommodating a wide variety of head shapes. The wheel-tightening system has adjustability that extends all the way to the sides and top of the head (even towards the front) that gives the Vantage II a more customized feel than most helmets we've put through the wringer. While many helmets' adjustability only is along the back of the helmet, the Vantage II has wiring that's as much as two to three times more extensive.

This helmet also has an excellent next-to-skin feel, from the fuzzy earpad liner to the top-of-head padding. The neck padding also has substantially more coverage than other minimalist options. The one drawback to the Smith Vantage 2 Mips in this metric is its weight, coming in at a hefty 22.4 ounces in a size large. Fortunately, the other comfort attributes of the Vantage 2 were so substantial we were able to look past its scores on the scale.

Warmth

The Smith Vantage 2 Mips is a very warm helmet when you're experiencing chillier conditions at the resort. It came in above average in the review's lineup.

As previously shared, the Smith Vantage 2 Mips uses some comfy padding and fuzzy lining across the earpads, neck, and interior areas, which greatly helps with heat retention. It also has two series of closeable vents across the top of the helmet, which allows one to more easily batten down the hatches in strong winds. In really chilly temperatures, we were able to also fit an under-helmet beanie on, thanks to the sizing adjustability of the Vantage 2.

Ventilation

With 40 vents onboard (yes, you read that right), the Smith Vantage 2 Mips is among the more breathable ski helmets in the lineup, particularly in the resort riding category. It earned an above average score, mostly being outperformed by backcountry models that are more reminiscent of a bike helmet.

Smith redesigned the vent locations and sizes from the first iteration of the Vantage, and it made for a nice blend of airflow and heat retention when needed. The neck coverage did get sweaty in the warmest months of spring, but the front vents were consistently able to provide some fresh air.

Usability

The Smith Vantage 2 Mips is an intuitive ski helmet to use, and came in near the top of the charts. While our team had a few qualms with the design, this is a helmet that'll serve you well in a variety of settings.

Two-part vent closures are becoming more and more common in ski helmets, but the Smith Vantage 2 Mips offers closeable vents at the front of the helmet in addition to the top vents. While the goggle vents still couldn't be closed, we loved Smith's innovations with closeable front vents when our ski days got windy, cold, or snowy. The vent systems were a bit stiff to open or close, especially with gloves, though the rear wheel was fairly easy to operate. The vent open/close sliders were difficult enough to use that many of our gear experts often set them how they wanted in the parking lot, based on conditions. The goggle retainer performed perfectly throughout testing, and with practice, we could take goggles on or off even with the largest gloves.

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Should You Buy the Smith Vantage 2 Mips?

If you're wanting the most comfortable helmet possible, put the Vantage 2 on your finals list. This isn't the lightest helmet out there, nor is it the most cost effective, but it's got more adjustability than most ski helmets on the market. It also fits well with a variety of goggles, regardless of the brand or style.

What Other Ski Helmets Should You Consider?