Over the past few summer months, as Bellingham’s trails have fully succumbed to the dusty, dog days of summer, I have been testing a variety of Smith helmets and eyewear for everything ranging from trail rides to all-day gravel grinds. Since originally reviewing the Forefront 2 back in 2022, I have been a fan of Smith’s products for their high-quality construction, comfort, and seamless eyewear integration. Clean aesthetics and eyewear storage aside, Smith is an industry leader in safety, utilizing both MIPS and Koroyd impact protection in their helmets. The latest iteration of the Forefront 3 carries on Smith’s attention to safety, while introducing a few key updates over its well-regarded predecessor.
Koroyd Protection
Koroyd is an alternative impact absorption technology that was initially born out of the aerospace industry. It consists of vertically oriented plastic tubes bonded together to create a protective layer that dissipates energy upon impact. In the event of an impact, the tubes crumple consistently throughout, equally distributing the forces. Compared to traditional EPS foam that solidifies once it is 60% compressed, Koroyd doesn’t solidify until it reaches 78% compression. This additional compression through plastic deformation allows for more energy dissipation before the forces of an impact are transferred to the rider’s head.
Easily identifiable by its honeycomb-like appearance, Koroyd is effective in minimizing both direct and angled impacts, reducing the risk of a life-threatening injury. In addition to its increased protection and energy absorption, Koroyd is exceptionally light and breathable. The hollow nature of the tubes allows for body heat to escape outwards while providing additional airflow and breathability.
Helmets
The Session is Smith’s mid-tier half-shell helmet, offering sufficient protection while sacrificing some features in lieu of a more budget-friendly price tag. While high-end helmets packed with features are always the most “glamorous” pieces of gear to review, rarely are they going to be the most realistic option for your average rider. During my time on the sales floor, I found that most riders are looking for a thoughtfully designed helmet under $200. Retailing for $170 while maintaining safety technology such as MIPS and Koroyd, the Session fits the bill.
Fit / Ventilation
The Session utilizes Smith’s VaporFit adjustment, and it only took a few turns of the dial to get a size medium perfectly snug. The padding of the Session is minimal but effective, providing cushioned contact points at the brow and top of the head. The profile of the helmet is comfortable, with the typical coverage expected of a modern half-shell helmet. Fifteen vents allow for generous airflow at speed, with directional ventilation and brow vents to minimize lens fog when riding with eyewear. The Session weighs in at 378g for a size medium and once fitted correctly, goes unnoticed out on the trail.
Features / Performance
While being a more budget-oriented helmet, the Session still features Koroyd impact protection in key areas. Using what Smith describes as “zonal protection,” two distinct panels of Koroyd are used in primary protective areas. The remainder of the helmet consists of EPS foam with a MIPS liner for rotational energy displacement.
Visually, the profile of the Session is extremely clean and has a finish that outperforms most other “budget” helmets. The Session has a three-position visor, although its action is undeniably less refined than that of the visor on the Forefront 3. With less Koroyd coverage and limited eyewear storage, the Session may not be the standout option for a rider wanting the most feature-packed option on the market. Still, it is more than sufficient for riders wanting a no-fuss helmet that keeps them safe in the event of a crash.
Forefront 3 Reviewed // Compared to Forefront 2
The Forefront 3 is Smith’s flagship half-shell option and is designed for uncompromising protection and functionality. Continuing to offer best-in-class features while building on the proven design of its predecessor, the Forefront 3 is a standout option for riders wanting a high-end helmet for trail riding.
The Forefront 2 was a fantastic helmet and has been my daily driver for the past three seasons. I was skeptical that it could be improved and was a bit worried that Smith might have messed with a good thing. As I got accustomed to the updated Forefront 3, it became apparent that Smith wasn’t too heavy-handed in their development of the latest model. The Forefront 3 builds upon the best aspects of the Forefront 2 while introducing some subtle, but impactful, updates.
Fit / Ventilation
When comparing the new Forefront 3 to the Forefront 2, the largest updates have been the new liner, updated BOA fit system, and increased overall ventilation. The Forefront 3 utilizes the MIPS Air Node system, which is directly integrated into the helmet liner. The updated MIPS liner provides a noticeable increase in padding, giving the Forefront 3 a more plush feel with more padded surface contact than the minimal liner featured in the previous model. The new BOA system now tightens from all angles, providing equal adjustment on all sides of the head, instead of just tightening from the rear. This increased area of adjustment makes for a more secure and comfortable fit.
The updated ventilation of the Forefront 3 is visibly identifiable, with more cutouts throughout the helmet’s shell. Most noticeably, the Forefront 3 has a new center channel vent that wasn’t featured on the previous model. The end result of the updated shell profile is a 25% increase in airflow over the Forefront 2. While the previous model never ran too hot, there is a difference in airflow with the Forefront 3 while descending on a hot summer day.
Features / Performance
While Forefront 3 has a new shell profile to promote increased ventilation, Smith hasn’t skimped on its level of protection. The helmet has a full Koroyd layer combined with dual-density EPS foam for impact protection. The MIPS Air Node liner isn’t just more comfortable, it also offers increased rotational impact protection.
Out on the trail, the Forefront 3 does what any good helmet should do - fades into the background, going unnoticed for the duration of the ride. The shell of the Forefront 3 maintains a similar profile to its predecessor, while its updated liner and fit system make for an even more comfortable fit. The Forefront 3 uses the same three-position visor and industry-leading, front and rear integrated eyewear storage of the previous model.
Eyewear
ChromaPop
The color receptors of the human eye are most sensitive to blue, green, and red wavelengths. When these wavelengths overlap, the brain has trouble perceiving their true color. Smith’s ChromoPop technology aids in filtering out this “middle-ground,” providing a clearer image, more definition, and a sharper contrast.
Visible Light Transmission
Smith offers ChromoPop in a variety of tinted lenses for different lighting scenarios. The tint of these lenses is based on their amount of visible light transmission (VLT). VLT is a percentile rating that corresponds to the amount of light that reaches the eye through the lens. The lighter the lens tint, the higher the VLT, as more light can pass through the lens. Darker tints allow less light into the eye, resulting in a lower VLT.
MAG
Smith’s MAG technology is a lens-swapping system that utilizes magnets for increased usability. My first time using MAG eyewear, I was astonished by how easy it was to swap lenses, simply clicking open the magnetized tabs on the temple of the frame before securing another lens. The MAG interface eliminates the need to press and pull directly on the lenses, leaving them smudge-free and ready to go.
The Shift MAG wins the award for the most stylish of the glasses I tested. Their large coverage and full-frame design are aesthetically noteworthy. Their appearance is more comparable to lifestyle glasses than the safety-inspired sportswear more commonly seen in the cycling industry. They have a flatter frame profile that resulted in a feeling of resting on my face more than the unobtrusive feeling of some other models. Although they are still incredibly secure on trail thanks to their grippy rubber frame and nosepiece, making them a great option for all riding scenarios.
The Shift Mag XL glasses are nearly identical in fit and feel to the standard Shift Mag frames, but offer a noticeable increase in coverage. The larger lenses offer a bit more of a goggle-like feel, although they still have the flatter, floaty feel associated with the Shift MAG frame. These glasses are a great option for riders who like the profile of the Shift MAG but want as much lens coverage as possible.
The Bobcat has quickly become my personal favorite Smith offering for its comfortable frame profile combined with ample goggle-like coverage. While they don’t use the MAG lens technology, the lenses are still interchangeable, allowing riders to swap lenses as needed. Out of all the glasses on test, I found that the profile of the Bobcat provided the most comfortable fit for my face shape and stayed secure on extremely rough sections of trail. No matter the terrain, the Bobcat glasses stayed put, and I never experienced any bouncing or shifting.
Verdict
Smith’s latest lineup of helmets and eyewear delivers a compelling blend of safety, comfort, and performance across a range of price points. The Forefront 3 refines an already excellent design with improved ventilation and fit, while the Session offers impressive value without sacrificing core safety features. On the eyewear side, ChromaPop lenses provide standout clarity, and the MAG system makes swapping lenses quick and effortless. Whether you’re chasing performance or practicality, Smith has crafted gear that feels thoughtful, reliable, and ready for any ride.
