Smith Variant Brim Helmet

Disappointing
March 15, 2012

I didn't like the way the helmet fit at all. It pushed my goggles way down, pinching my nose. If I adjusted it back to compensate, the rear of the helmet prevented me from looking up. The boa adjustment seemed great at first, but I found it would loosen on it's own while I skied (part of me wonders if the helmet I got had a broken adjustment piece). The vent slider is too low profile and difficult to find/use while wearing gloves. I looked at some Solomon helmets that have a fin-like slider that sticks up which is way easier to use. Also, the goggle strap holder rattled a lot - a minor annoyance, but still... On the plus side, the helmet is very light. I didn't notice the weight at all which was nice. Also, I liked that the look was very low profile - definitely a nice looking helmet. But ultimately the fit was just too bad. At the end of a nice day of skiing, my most common thought was how uncomfortable the helmet was - so I'm returning this one. I expected so much more given that this is one of the more expensive helmets. I think I'll try a different brand next time.

Best I've found...
December 16, 2011

Skiing about 100 days a year, I have tried all of the major brands of helmets and this is the best I have found. It is light and comfortable. The new model fits better with a more precise adjustment and the ventilation is great on warmer days. It is easy to add any audio system.

Great Helmet
May 04, 2011

The helmet is fantastic compared to Giro. More important, Altrec is the place to purchase ski products. On two occasions I have found that this website carries the cheapest products compared to others (upto 75% in savings). I feel comfortable enough to now not shop around and just go there directly; however, inventories are limited. In regards to this helmet. My head is 24 inches. I am right on the border line of a Large vs XL. I have not tried an XL (although there are no other styles except black) in this color (white). The Large seems to fit, but would have been nice to see what an XL would have been like. My recommendation is if you are right on the border between sizes, it may be worth wild to go up in one size. Overall, the helmet is a great looking product and seems to be durable.

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Functional, stylish helmet
December 24, 2011

I have a big head. There, I said it. I look kind of silly in most helmets (especially bike helmets), so I've become kind of picky about style. As soon as I tried this one on in the store I had to buy it. Luckily I found it at a good price on Altrec and ordered it right away. The liner is detachable, and it has ample vents, so I may end up using it as a bike helmet in the summer. We'll see. Overall I'm very happy with this.

Great Helmet
March 03, 2012

I have looked at a variety of helmets on the market. The Smith Varient in my opinion was hands down the most comfortable and "least bulky". This helmet exceeds my expectations. Fits well, and most importantly looks great. Catch me if you can...

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Great Helmet
December 22, 2009

I have used this helmet about 10 times now, and absolutely love it. It fits great, is comfortable, keeps my head warm, and doesnt make me look like a bobble head. There is a decent amount of adjustment present in this helmet, which was great for me. I also added the skullcandy headphones for the added enjoyment of music while I ski. All in all I am very happy with this purchase (and it keeps me safe, too).

Best Helmet
April 02, 2012

This is the first Smith helmet I've owned and I'm totally sold on it. The fit is dialed in with the Boa system, ventilation is good, goggle integration is great (at least with my Smith Phenoms), sound is relatively unaffected by the ear flaps and it looks good, too. Much like the Smith goggles and sunglasses I own, the quality seems superb. If this helmet fits your head, get it. I wish Smith would venture into the bike helmet market, too!

Lightweight & Solid Construction
February 17, 2010

This helmet has it all: brim, space to add Smith's integrated speaker system, lightweight, warm, etc.

Great Helmet
April 25, 2011

Purchased this helmet toward the end of the year, so I have not used it a whole lot! But so far it is a great fitting helmet, with great adjust abilities! I love the vents on the top, they don’t sit down deep for snow to pile up in. The best part is the audio options! Great helmet….

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Best purchase Ever
January 05, 2011

I like very much this helmet, it's very confortable , it's like if I have nothing on my head, the only weak point is : cold air entering by the little holes at the back of the helmet.

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Fits Great
February 09, 2008

This helmet fits great. The ratchet in the back makes it very adjustable. There's not gap with the Smith Prodigy googles like I used to get with the Giro G10.

Looks better on
March 24, 2012

First helmet that looks better on women than any other helmet. It looks more "0pen". Hard to explain, but once I saw it on someone I had to have one. Plus Altrec shipping is fast and reliable. Glad I found this company.

Best Snow Sports Helmet on the Marker!
February 14, 2011

Let me start by saying I have owned 4 helmets, some comfortable, some not, some well vented, some not. Another issue I have had with other helmets is getting the goggles and helmet to line up right or match curvatures. Not with the Smith. The interface between where the goggles end and helmet begin is flawless and allows for unbelievable airflow/venting which leads to no fogging whatseoever. The fit is true and it is the most comfortable helmet/goggle combo I have ever had on! One other small note, on occasional wrecks or wipeouts I would get some snow in the top of the goggle vent but with the brim that covers the vents and lines up with the helmet vents for a perfect fit there is no way snow can get in there to clogs up the goggle vents, a huge plus!

Good fit, light, warm, low profile
February 09, 2010

Just got back from a four day trip with lots of falling snow (8-12" per day). I used this helmet with my Smith Phenom Turbo goggles. Everything worked great. I put my hood up a few times when I had a tail wind on the chair lift to keep snow off my neck, but other than that, the helmet was fine (25-30 degrees, light wind). Some say the brim prevents goggles from sitting on the helmet. I just put the goggles on the edge of the brim and that seemed to work. I agree they do pop off the top if you sit them above the brim. My head is 59cm so I was right on the border between M and L. I usually go L, but upon the recommendation of Altrec, I went with M. It was a good choice. If I were 59.5 I would go with the large, but the medium fit well. as an aside, I bought the skull candy speakers. Sound quality was like an old AM radio. I'm pretty sure they were mono, not stereo. It is convenient to use, but if you want even medium fidelity I would look for something else.

Great Helmet
March 01, 2010

Good fit and lightweight. Very comfortable. Love the look. A great ski helmet!

Light, comfortable and well thought out
February 03, 2011

I've taken this helmet up on the hill a few times now, and I love it. Much lighter than my old, bulky K2 helmet. Last time I went up to ski, it rained and the brim did its job. The brim looks good and works great. I use Oakley Wisdom googles and I have not had any problems. I've read that good don't stay on the forehead cause of the brim, but i found that my googles stay put on my forehead. Also, before i bought the helmet, i heard that the tightening mechanism in the back ruins jackets because of the sharp teeth. I have no had a problem with my jacket getting ripped up. The adjustable vents seem great, but i haven't notice a difference in warmth yet with them open or closed, but that's just personal preference I think. I bought the twin-tip audio system also, and i am very impressed with the combo. It's a little tricky to insert the headphones in the helmet but you only need to do it once! I like bass, and although they aren't high end headphones, they do the trick and have decent bass. I clip my volume control on the "y" part of my chin strap (near the ear). The clip for the googles in the back works well too, even though the piece of plastic that adjusts the google strap lenght is directly under the google clip. I had problems with this on my old helmet. The helmet was expensive (got it on sale) but it makes such a big difference on the hill. Warmth, comfort and swagger is what I got with this helmet.

Nice upgrade
December 29, 2008

A nice upgrade from my 5 year old Giro Nine.9. Helmet fits well, and the ratchet in back helps; works just like a bike helmet. Slider tabs for vents don't inspire confidence that they'll hold up for many uses, but they haven't broken and the vents are nice. Good front vents help keep goggles clear. Optional/add on audio ear flaps are a little thicker than regular ones and don't get really loud.

Awesome Helmet!
January 10, 2012

First off, this helmet looks killer. Low profile, nice lines, great design. The helmet vents are easy to open and close, even with gloves. The brim does not interfere with my goggles like other brim helmets have done for me in the past. The Boa adjustment system dials in the fit perfectly, and works with gloves on as well. The helmet is super warm with the ear attachments in, and cools well with the venting and removing the ear attachments. This helmet is a little on the pricey side, but you get what you pay for. Top of the line design, functionality, and comfort make up for it. I wish my MTB helmet was this nice!!

Awesome Helmet! Great Fit and Quality!
March 17, 2011

Bought this helmet to replace an old Giro after reading reviews and trying on dozens of helmets and haven't regretted it for a minutes! Fit is perfect, including with goggles,and chin strap is very comfortable when tightened securely. Very warm with vents closed and cool with vents open. Wouldn't change a thing, very pleased!!

Variant Brim Helmet
January 12, 2013

Great Helmet. Solid design. Warm. Right ear pad for headphones doesn't have a cord hole so makes it slightly difficult to access. Great product otherwise.

A good example
March 18, 2012

At 45 years old, an a patroller at our local ski area, I had forced my children to wear all the protective gear. Helmets, Wristguards, excetra. I have been skiing since I was 7 years old, and felt like so many that I was excluded from the safety equipment arena. After all I had gone so many years without injury. One weekend this year while skiing the edge powder I caught an edge and hit a tree. Fortunately, I was not hurt but that was all it took for me to finally realize what a bad example I had been for my children. The Smith helmet is a stylish and well though out design that my son was jealous of the day it came out of the box. We took it to red lodge this last weekend, and with the temps in the 60's it was hot, especially for a guy who had never worn a helmet. it was light, and the brim kept the sun out of my eyes and made it enjoyable. I will keep the product, and would advise either larger vents or more of them to make it a more cross seasonal product.

Light, Warm, & Stylish
February 02, 2011

This is a great helmet. It is nice and light so you forget it is there and just as warm if not warmer than a winter hat for those cold rides up the lift. I have a big head and struggle to find helmets that don’t make my head look so much larger than it already is. This helmet is low profile and disappears. Also, you can’t beat all of the color options; you can find one to match any gear you already have.

Great Helmet
February 13, 2011

The helmet runs a bit smaller than the measurements suggest. Great helmet and the ventilation is fantastic. I love the style helmet and the quality of the construction.

Great helmet
December 14, 2010

I have had 3 helmets and this is the best of the best. Warm, light weight and not too big.

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First ski helmet
March 06, 2013

I am an older skier who finally decided to get a helmet after a friend seriously injured himself even though he was wearing a helmet. He probably would have been paralyzed if he hadn't been. I chose the Variant Brim Helmet because it had vent ports like that on my cycling helmets. Unlike my cycling helmet, these ports can be closed keeping my head warm. The coverings around the ear kept my ears warm while allowing me to hear boarders and skiers behind me. I have a Smith Turbo Fan goggle which fit perfectly with the helmet. When the goggles started to fog, I didn't have to activate the fan. I merely opened the vents and the goggles cleared up. Finally, wearing the helmet allowed me to ski without having to wear a beanie or head band while keeping my head warmer. My wife is more at ease when I go skiing now.

Nice fit and warm too
March 04, 2010

I wore my helmet for the first time a week ago and it's a great fit. It helps keep my head warm (and safe). I love the look of the brim and the stripes. It's a winner!

Why did I Wait?
January 21, 2012

This was my first helmet purchase and I couldn't have been more pleased. The fit was great and the ability to dial it in with the Boa just makes it perfect. The vents are easy to operate and allow for a wide range of temps. Works great with Smith goggles. It is about as light as wearing a hat with zero visability issues. Highly reccomend spending the money, you won't regret it.

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Bought for my Husband
December 29, 2012

I bought this helmet as a present for my husband, he really likes it and thinks it's comfortable. The adjustable sizing is great to get the perfect fit. It's also cool looking and stylish, I might have to buy one for me.

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February 09, 2011

This is one of the best looking helmets on the market. It is comfortable and warm, and doesn't affect peripheral vision. The strap is very comfortable and most goggles fit great.

Great Looking, Great Function
December 07, 2009

The variant brim looks great (got mine in chocolate check). The helmet is lightweight and seems to afford a great deal of protection. Also, the helmet accommodates my Bolle goggles without a 'gaper gap' at the top. The ventilation system is really slick, opens and closes easily to regulate airflow to the head. I'd say based on the quality of the craftsmanship and the great looks, this helmet is worth the pretty high price.

Awesome
January 01, 2009

This helmet was very lightweight and the adjustable fit made it as snug as I wanted it. It kept me very warm and at times I forgot I was wearing a helmet.

Great Helmet
December 04, 2012

Great helmet that's quite durable - almost 4 seasons of 25+ days. My only issue is the brim has loosened up a bit, but this was likely my fault for packing it in my ski bag for several trips.

So far so good helmet.
January 23, 2011

This helmet is lightweight and vents well. It's pretty comfortable so you hardly know it's on. The helmet is pricey but worthwhile when you consider what it's supposed to do. .

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Great fit, toasty
November 29, 2010

I cannot recommend this helmet enough. The design was perfect for me... love the fuzzy chin strap. Had it on opening day as snow & temps were falling. Used w/ Smith goggles, it was warm, worked well, had a great fit. Love the brim to keep some snow from falling directly on face/goggles.

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Functional, stylish helmet
December 24, 2011

I have a big head. There, I said it. I look kind of silly in most helmets (especially bike helmets), so I've become kind of picky about style. As soon as I tried this one on in the store I had to buy it. Luckily I found it at a good price on Altrec and ordered it right away. The liner is detachable, and it has ample vents, so I may end up using it as a bike helmet in the summer. We'll see. Overall I'm very happy with this.

Protection & Comfort
November 23, 2010

I finally broke down and bought helmet. Years of hypocrisy gone by, demanding my kids to wear them. I have to say the look and comfort made it easy to commit, not to mention the fact that I feel more protected on the slopes. I have a large dome and couldn't find the style or fit that I liked. Finally found it in the Variant brim helmet. Highly recommend this product!

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Lots of color choices and features
February 03, 2010

I bought this on recommendation from a hard-core skier who doesn't buy anything without doing exhaustive research on every option and model out there. That was good enough for me to buy one sight unseen. The vents and brim and adjustable fit are the features I like.

Great Helmet!
January 19, 2010

The helmet looks good, and keeps you warm while you ski. Much warmer than any hat I've ever worn.

Excellent Helmet Redemption for Altrec
February 01, 2013

This helmet fits perfectly with the BOA system. It pairs perfectly with my Smith goggles and the ventilation keeps them fog free. Well designed, seems very durable, ear pads keeps ears toasty warm without blocking out too much sound. Drop in speakers will be a blessing from the gods once they arrive. Helmet is very warm when vents are closed and cools quickly once opened. I was very weary about ordering again from Altrec as my first experience was ordering a board (2 day shipping so I would have it for a weekend of shredding.) and they sent me the wrong size board (145 when I ordered a 158). Altrec customer service is what truly redeemed them and I will be a life long customer as a result.

Great Helmet
January 20, 2011

Bought this helmet for my wife for Christmas this year and she just loves it. It is comfortable and keeps your head warm. It holds your googles in place nicely. I'm going to buy my self one too.

gotta have it
January 06, 2011

I have tried more than 5 helmets so far, and this is soooo sick. Super light, beautiful and thoughtful design, and confortable. One thing that made me hesitated is the price, but right after I received this helmet, I thought this is worthy to pay for my life.

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Variant Brim Helmet
February 10, 2011

Great helmet. Fits great. Back fit adjustment a little tricky to adjust, had to take off helmet, adjust, put back on, take off, adjust etc... Knob type adjustment on other helmets much easier to use. Wore this in 30deg weather -too warm, had to open vents to cool down. Vent adjustments very easy- just slide open/close.

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