Smith Route MIPS Helmet

Satisfied with the levels of premium protection it achieved with its Forefront and Overtake helmets, Smith returned to the drawing board to fill more gaps in its helmet line this year. On the road side, it pared down the impressive silhouette of the Overtake to craft the Route MIPS Helmet. Featuring a lighter shell and the added protection of Multi Directional Impact Protection System MIPS, the Route MIPS fills the void whether you're a fixture on the bike paths during rush hour or a recreational cyclist looking for a safe, versatile helmet. Compared to the Overtake, Smith adds less of its proprietary Koroyd material to the Route, lining the underside of some vents with the material. Resembling the cells of honeycomb, Koroyd is a signature feature of all of Smith's Aerocore cycling helmets according to the company, Koroyd compresses upon impact to absorb energy better than In Mold construction alone. Smith still uses the tried and true EPSpolycarbonate In Mold sandwich to craft part of the Route's shell, but it adds Koroyd to further reinforce it. In this version, the Swedish technology known as MIPS sits on the inside of the helmet as well. The thin inner basket rotates slightly upon impact in order to minimize the brain damaging effects of certain impacts while adding a barely perceivable amount of weight to the overall design. Since you'll hopefully not be testing the effectiveness of the Route MIPS' safety features on a regular basis, the everyday ones like ventilation and fit are what will distinguish the helmet from others. Smith demonstrates that while it might be relatively new to the cycling world, it's known about how to keep athletes comfortable and protected for a while now. The VaporFit dial system makes fit adjustments on the go quick and easy, while the 18 vents that constitute the AirEvac ventilation system work to filter air through the helmet for consistent breathability. The soft X Static liner comes with a Cooling Performance treatment t...