Smith Optics Trace MIPS Road Cycling Helmet

I bought a medium size based on trying on another similar helmet.Fit was a bit on the tight side, but the next size would have been too big. Fairly light and likethe look overall.Hopefully I won't have to review this again. Has the latest technology available, which is the mostthing in purchasing a helmet. Expensive, but when it comes to protecting my head, I'm worth it.

I used a tape measure around my head before making my purchase to get the right size. The fit was perfect. Since I get a haircut infrequently, I use the adjuster dial at the back of the helmet: perfect. I sweat a lot through my head; the internal padding doesn't deteriorate and dries quickly. All in all a A+ product.

I've been eyeing this helmet (and it's prior version) for about two years. I knew I was coming up on replacement time for my old helmet, and I liked the aesthetics that reminded me a little bit of the old pro-tec helmet Lon Haldeman used to rock when he kept nailing the RAAM again and again back in the day and a little bit of the old hairnets we raced in at the time. I liked the MIPS. I liked that it didn't look like a Tour de France helmet because I'm no longer fast like that. I liked the clean lines and matte finish that say instead sophistication not adolescence, but still say fast (because I'm still fast, even if not fast like that). I liked the honeycomb cooling mechanism (the huge opening in the front, not so much, because as it turns out, it welcomes the associate of the honeycomb--the bee--right in on rides, when I really wish it wouldn't).Largely, this helmet has lived up to what I thought I would like about it, with two exceptions:--first, it's a little hot. The honeycomb does not vent and release heat the way traditional air vents do, and the engineering meant to suck air in the front and distribute etc. etc. etc. just actually doesn't quite do it.--second, it's small. I have a big head and large/X-large helmets fit me without a problem. Until this Smith helmet. I tried on other Smith helmets to be sure before ordering this one, but there's inconsistency within the brand across the models. There's not a larger option in the Trace, so I'm going to stick with it because due to the MIPS and recent nature of this helmet, I assume it's significantly safer than what I was on before. But come winter riding, it's doubtful I'll fit a cycling cap under it, much less a neck warmer pulled up over my ears or a balaclava. Ah well, good enough for six months of summer riding.I will say it's wildly light, and that's a lovely addition to the safety features, the latter of which are not insignificant. Riding for a while on a helmet you know has met the end of its life-span according to suggested years of use does not make you feel confident about taking a tight corner on a descent... With this slick new beast strapped on my noggin, I'm happy to go for it again.

Fits great and ventilation is superb

All the safety features, but also comfortable and breathable for long rides (like 100 miles). I fell down going zero (doh! clip-out failure at a stop light) and there was one little ding in the helmet. Had my previous one for 5 years, this is a replacement.Note: the manufacture date is 2020, so on a 5-7 year life helmet from date of manufacture, that takes a bit of time off the lifespan, but they took $100 off the price too :)

I think the horizontal vent in the front catches the air and keeps my head cooler. I'm not looking for aerodynamic design. My last Helmut had the vents running front to back and it was hot with just ok ventilation. When it sunny and hot, this is a better, cooler design. The fit is better than my Gyro also. The brown color looks great, I hate flashy helmets.

for road cycling a comfortable fit. quality you can feel.

Just heads up... I've edited this review and dropped the rating to 3/5 from 5/5 after having this helmet for only a short while.Be aware, if you buy the matte helmet, the part that makes it matte is actually just a latex-ish sticker over the entire surface that dulls an otherwise shiny surface. On mine it began to peel after only a month and I never dropped the helmet, rubbed it against anything, crashed it, exposed to extreme temparature... Nothing. It's just peeling away. I really doubt it will cause any problems in regards to the amount of protection it provides and my original review from below still stands in regards to comfort. This helmet feels like it was made to sit on my fat noggin which is really saying something. It's just disappointing that it looks like a 10 year old peeling helmet when it's only a few months old.I've contacted Smith about warranty coverage. I hope they respond.---Now on to the original review---I've burned through a number of Giro road cycling helmets over many years and don't get me wrong, every single one has been well made, MIPs, adjustable... but they never really fit the shape of head very well. I'm not really an overly big dude at 6' but I guess I have a big stupid head because those Giro helmets just never fit me well. On very long rides I'd get pressure points on all sides where it would cause pain and leave indents too. No amount of strap adjustments or padding changes would seem to help this. I'd measure and measure again and try them on in the bike shop and it was always the same. Felt fine in the first 30ish minutes of a ride but by the end of a 3 hour ride I'd want to chuck the helmet into the river. But I'd heard other cyclists complain similarly in the past and figured I was just one of the unlucky ones like them with a giant melon head and no recourse.Someone gave me a Smith mountain bike helmet for a gift last year and it was the most comfortable helmet I've ever had. It was really like a night and day difference so I immediately went out and bought this one for road use. It's just as comfortable as the mountain bike one.I love that the vents are covered in the honeycomb looking plastic element. I had the impression in photos for some reason that the honeycomb mesh part would be rubbery but it's not. It's stiff plastic and the whole helmet is very light and adjustable. That honeycomb mesh should also help (I hope) keep biting / stinging insects from flying into my helmet at speed. Even if just a little bit.Great looking too, with the matte black and green vents.

This is just atop notch product. Great design both for aesthetics and function. Highly recommended.

Love the helmet but showed up covered in dust. There’s a small dent in the hard shell and some damage to the foam. See pic. It’s minor but I would appreciate a discount or I can return the item.

Leider gibt es den Helm in Deutschland in der Größe L nur in schwarz und das Händlernetz ist auch ziemlich dünn.

Great helmet and great service. Arrived quickly

Exenlente casco.