SMITH Level MIPS Helmet

Product Information

My size XL Vantage weighs in at 1 lb 2 oz. It matches the 1 lbs 2 oz weight published by Smith. Zonal Koroyd Hybrid construction The Vantage uses an anti-microbial removable lining to keep the funk out of your ski helmet. It is held in with a few velcro patches and is easy to remove. It’s a mesh material with a bit of neoprene feel around the edges. It doesn’t use a fuzzy fleece feeling material. BOA helmet fit system Smith Optics is generally regarded as one of the top companies in the business, and their flagship optical line is their ChromaPop technology. From a technical point of view, the idea behind ChromaPop is to increase the separation between the colors that you’re seeing to enhance contrast. Technically, they do this by creating lenses that filter out some of the intermediate areas of the visible spectrum, essentially creating a bigger ‘gap’ between colors. They have a variety of lenses for a variety of applications, everything from road riding to fishing to surfing. The high and low light lenses that came with the I/O Mag Goggles.

The Vantage helmet is certified to almost every applicable certification out there from the US and Europe. Here is a list of certifications. ASTM F 2040, CE EN 1077:2007 CLASS B, CPSC, CE EN1078 Weight The “MIPS” in the Level’s name stands for Multi-directional Impact Protection System, which is a safety technology designed to reduce potential damage in angled impacts should you crash while riding. The design is fairly simple: The MIPS liner is a thin plastic layer that connects to the helmet with a few small tabs and moves independently from the outer shell. The liner doesn’t have an impact on the comfort of the Level, but we have found that similar MIPS-equipped Smith models have a slightly smaller fit as a result. The difference is negligible, and we haven’t had a chance to test the non-MIPS Level yet, but the added tech is well-integrated and provides a nice dose of added assurance. My head measures 57 centimeters in circumference, which puts me right in the middle of the size medium range (55 to 59cm). I have a slightly rounded head shape and have found Smith helmets to be a really nice match for me in general, and the Level is no exception (it fit me similarly to the Vantage and discontinued Variance). All in all, the deep and fairly wide opening has a versatile shape, and combined with the highly adjustable fit system and four total sizes available—ranging from 51 centimeters (S) to 67 centimeters (XL)—most people should be able to get a good all-around fit.In testing the Merak, however, a few complaints have emerged. The most significant is the padding design, which doesn’t protect you as well from the Boa fit system as we’d like. Cinching the helmet creates light pressure points at the sides of the head (the shape could’ve also been part of the issue, and the Merak seems to favor more of an oval-like head rather than round). Additionally, the minimalist padding meant the helmet ran on the cold side on frigid resort days, and the foam used around the ears muffles more sound than we prefer. Some will find these tradeoffs worth it for the advanced safety tech, but we’d like to see some of the finer details sorted out before moving it up our ranking. It’s easy to recommend the Smith Level Helmet and I/O MAG Goggles for skiers and boarders, especially someone who’s maybe looking to upgrade to an integrated system. I was totally pleased with the goggles in both high and low light conditions. The helmet is very good also, with ventilation that actually makes a difference. If you need something for your spring touring or want to get geared up for a 2021 ski season that hopefully won’t be cut short by a pandemic – take a look at Smith. Goggle retainers are a simple but appreciated feature. The built-in clip holds goggle straps in place and helps reduce the risk of losing your ski goggles in a crash or otherwise. Designs do vary some: Many budget helmets use a simple plastic piece that flips open, while higher-end helmets will have a more secure strap or cord design. Pricier models are typically a little more confidence-inspiring and easier to manipulate—particularly without removing the helmet—but all the designs we've tried perform their intended function. The goggle retainer strap on the Oakley Mod5

AirEvac Ventilation allows goggles and helmets to function as one system, venting warm moist air away from the goggles, through the helmet climate control system and ultimately away from the head. When you fall to the ground at an angle rotational forces are generated. A helmet integrating MIPS technology creates a sliding layer between the outer shell and the head. This allows the helmet's outer shell to slide relative to the head when hitting the ground, so the rotational force is decreased, reducing the potential to damage your brain. I count 22 vents on the helmet. It has a lot of vent area compared to most other helmets. We haven’t found a warm ski day yet where we thought the helmet was too hot with all the vents open. AirEvac goggle anti-fog vents First, look at the number of total vents of the helmet (we’ve provided this information in the specs for each helmet and in the comparison table above). Not all vents are created equal, but this number gives you a good starting point as to how much ventilation the helmet offers. To be sure, there is a correlation between the number of vents and cost of the helmet. One of the best ventilators, the high-end Smith Vantage, has an impressive 21 vents, while a budget model like the Oakley Mod1 only has six small fixed openings. Glade's Boundary has 16 vents and easy adjustabilityIn addition to MIPS, some helmet manufacturers have begun to replace standard EPS foam with cellular or honeycomb-like materials like WaveCel (found in Anon helmets) and Koroyd (Smith's solution). These materials have the ability to absorb more energy than EPS, all while minimizing bulk and weight and maximizing ventilation. WaveCel in particular is so adept at absorbing angled impacts and reducing rotational forces that current WaveCel-equipped lids forgo a MIPS liner. Koroyd has become ubiquitous in Smith’s designs (seen in the Vantage, Level, Nexus, and Survey above), and Anon now has three helmets that use WaveCel. You’ll spend up for the extra tech, but many riders will appreciate the added assurance and boost in breathability. Anon's honeycomb-like WaveCel offers impact absorption at a light weight It has 2 AirEvac goggle defog vents on the front of the helmet. These work great at keeping your goggles free of fog. They work best with Smith goggles but will work okay with almost any brand of ski goggle. Audio Compatible Removable ear pads

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61l.354-2.17-1.5-1.538 2.073-.317L69 55l.927 1.975 2.073.317-1.5 1.537.354 2.171zM77 27.975L75.146 29l.354-2.17-1.5-1.538 2.073-.317L77 23l.927 1.975 2.073.317-1.5 1.537.354 2.171zM77 40.975L75.146 42l.354-2.17-1.5-1.538 2.073-.317L77 36l.927 1.975 2.073.317-1.5 1.537.354 2.171zM77 14.975L75.146 16l.354-2.17-1.5-1.538 2.073-.317L77 10l.927 1.975 2.073.317-1.5 1.537.354 2.171zM77 52.975L75.146 54l.354-2.17-1.5-1.538 2.073-.317L77 48l.927 1.975 2.073.317-1.5 1.537.354 2.171zM85 8.975L83.146 10l.354-2.17L82 6.291l2.073-.317L85 4l.927 1.975L88 6.292l-1.5 1.537.354 2.171zM85 21.975L83.146 23l.354-2.17-1.5-1.538 2.073-.317L85 17l.927 1.975 2.073.317-1.5 1.537.354 2.171zM85 33.975L83.146 35l.354-2.17-1.5-1.538 2.073-.317L85 29l.927 1.975 2.073.317-1.5 1.537.354 2.171zM85 46.975L83.146 48l.354-2.17-1.5-1.538 2.073-.317L85 42l.927 1.975 2.073.317-1.5 1.537.354 2.171zM85 59.975L83.146 61l.354-2.17-1.5-1.538 2.073-.317L85 55l.927 1.975 2.073.317-1.5 1.537.354 2.171z"/> USA/ENComfort is excellent with generous padding, a highly customizable fit, and great warmth for resort use. Protection• Hybrid shell construction blends a durable exterior with a lightweight in-molded shell for durability where you need it most while keeping the helmet light Fit / Integration• Designed for ultimate integration with Smith goggles for maximum comfort and venting Dual Regulator Vents - Dual adjustable vents allow you to open or close the front and rear vents independently to get the perfect comfort level