Smith Vantage Mips Review

The Vantage is Smith's top-of-the-line snowsports helmet. In our test, it performed well in most aspects but excelled in terms of ventilation.

Performance Comparison

Impact Test

Although all helmets must adhere to baseline standards for downhill skiing certification, the level of protection they provide can largely vary between models. To evaluate the helmets' impact performance, we procured an extra helmet and sent it to ACT Lab for detailed crash testing. ACT is an accredited ASTM/CEN lab. The laboratory performs two experiments utilizing a drop tower, a dummy head equipped with sensors, and a new helmet.

The results enabled us to determine each helmet's impact force absorption capabilities by means of accelerometer sensors within the replicated human head. To imitate a slow impact fall, the helmet was dropped from a height of 1 meter. To simulate a fast impact, the dummy head was dropped from a height of 2.3 meters.

Slow Impact Test Results

The Smith Vantage Mips produced commendable results in the 1-meter, or “slow,” impact test. While the accelerometer data didn't quite put it on par with the top-scoring Scott Symbol 2 Plus D Mips, its data was better than most of the competition.

Fast Impact Test Results

In terms of the 2.3-meter drop data, the Vantage fell behind. In this assessment, the data gathered for the Smith was below the average result and significantly lessened the overall score.

We took the lab data, calculated a score of 1-10 for slow and fast impacts, and then averaged the two. The Vantage showed decent overall impact test performance when both the fast and slow results taken into account, landing right about in the middle of the pack.

Comfort

The comfort of a ski helmet goes a long way to influencing the quality of your day out. Comfort is one of our most important metrics; we rode each model at the ski resort and assessed the padding and fit to see what shape head each model was designed for and if it was comfortable for a full day. The Smith Vantage is among the best-scoring ski helmets in this review.

As with most Smith helmets, the Vantage fits a wide range of head shapes depending on how one sizes it. The easy-to-adjust BOA adjust system makes it easy to customize the fit and is glove-friendly. The earpieces are plush and comfortable next to skin. We did notice that the earpads applied more pressure to our ears when we were wearing earbuds. The liner has a light fleece around the contact zones of your head, which has a smooth and soft next-to-skin feel. The shape, liner, and BOA system make this a stand-out performer in the realm of comfort.

The hybrid shell exhibits qualities of an in-mold construction lid. It has a sleek, low-profile, lightweight, and intricate ventilation system, making this helmet easy to forget while riding.

Warmth

There can be some cold but incredible ski days throughout the winter, and having warm gear can help you make the most of them. We rode around the ski resort in all conditions, with and without skull caps and buffs, to quantify the helmet's inherent warmth. The Vantage is one of the warmer helmets in our review based on its ability to close the vents and warm earpads.

While most helmets have vents that can't be closed, the Vantage allows one to really batten down the hatches in cold and/or stormy days. Whether using a thin beanie or a buff, we could fit additional insulation underneath, and in milder temperatures, we even stayed warm without an under-hat. We did notice a slight draft behind the ears in windy weather, but it was a very minor complaint in an otherwise toasty ski helmet.

Ventilation

When you put your heart and soul into your run, you are bound to build up some heat; ideally, an effective ventilation system can prevent you from sweating. We took the Vantage out for high-output ski descents and even headed uphill while wearing it, booting up couloirs and climbing ridges to access backcountry ski lines. This is truly the most standout metric for the Vantage and clearly emerged at the front of the pack.

The Vantage offers one of our best ventilation systems. The helmet offers 20 medium-sized vents, 12 of which are fully adjustable. The adjustability allows you to trap in heat, shed out the precip when your favorite run has free refills, and release excess heat when riding slush in the sun. There are two separate toggles to operate the adjustable vents for even more temperature control. The toggles are easy to use with gloves and slide smoothly, especially compared to other models. The placement of the vents is ideal, optimally creating airflow through the helmet and exhausting the warm air from your goggles.

When riding/skiing downhill, the airflow throughout the helmet was very noticeable, with a draftiness that was welcome on hot days. While the earpads are somewhat on the thicker side, a slightly looser strap fit can keep the earpads off the ears a bit more. While this option doesn't offer as much cooling as a climbing or bike helmet, it's an undeniably breathable option in the world of ski helmets.

Usability

Would you rather have adjustable vents requiring you to take your glove off or have a smooth, easy-to-use toggle? The usability of a helmet depends on the design of the helmet's features and the overall user experience on the mountain. The design and overall quality of the Vantage make this an easy-to-use and enjoyable helmet with plenty of bells and whistles, though it is on the heavier side.

With an effective boa harness system and a plethora of adjustable vents, the Vantage is an incredibly user-friendly option. With zippable ear flaps, one can also insert helmet-specific Bluetooth headphones inside. The goggle strap holder was effective, though it can stretch out over time. If this does happen, tying knots or adding twists worked for our testing team and ultimately was a minor setback. At 20 oz for a size large, this is among the heavier options in our review, and needs to be a part of your consideration if weight is a priority.

Should You Buy the Smith Vantage Mips?

If you spend a ton of time skiing and can afford it, you'll probably feel that throwing down for one of the nicest helmets out there is worth it. It's well-built and has a variety of bells and whistles. It's a perfect lid for free-riders looking for a low-profile lid with a top-tier ventilation system.

What Other Ski Helmets Should You Consider?

If the brimmed freeride style isn't your cup of tea, but you're still looking for premium features, then consider the Scott Flow Pro Mips, which features a minimalistic style, adjustable vents, and best-in-class impact protection. If you're looking for a lighter helmet that can do it all, check out the Smith Method Pro Mips.