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Helmets
Smith Route Mips Smith Route Mips Smith Route Mips Smith Route Mips Smith Route Mips
Smith Route Mips helmet

Smith Route Mips

7
by Liam Cahill
UPDATED Tue, Oct 11, 2016 09:46

First Published Oct 11, 2016

7
£129.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Extra-tough lid, but limited venting means it's best reserved for cooler days and more casual riding
Weight: 
343g
Contact: 
www.smithoptics.com
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The Smith Route Mips helmet is a robust adventure lid featuring top tech to keep your noggin safe. It's a bit too bulky, hot and heavy for road use, though it should suit shorter commutes.

The first time I saw one of Smith's helmets, I was at a cyclo-cross race. In my oxygen-deprived state, I must say I was very confused as to why the chap had drinking straws in his helmet. Had I missed a novelty feature on the course? As far as design goes, the Koroyd sections that feature in the Route Mips create a look that can take a little getting used to. But for anyone who wants premium safety, it's a quirkiness that will be easy to love.

> Find your nearest dealer here

Helmets with Mips technology have been appearing more frequently, adding another safety feature for those who want it. The Mips system is simply a plastic liner that is loosely attached to the main shell. Its job is to reduce linear and rotational forces in a crash which have, according to Mips, been associated with the majority of brain injuries. Read more here. 

Smith Route Mips helmet - inside.jpg

Smith helmets are distinctive for their use of "patented Koroyd™ material". It's the stuff that looks like a bunch of drinking straws and is supposed to absorb impact force, thus "limiting the risk of skull fractures and traumatic brain injury".

Smith Route Mips helmet - side.jpg

Out of the box, the bulk of the helmet gives it a robust feel and instantly led me to thinking it would make for the perfect adventure or touring lid. At 343g it's not light, but this isn't a big problem. The straps are thin yet soft and attach inside the shell, protecting them from damage. The helmet is then secured at the back of your head by the VaporFit Adjustable Fit System. I wasn't able to adjust the height of the system but it wasn't in any way uncomfortable, even when tightened fully.

Smith Route Mips helmet - back.jpg

Although the Route Mips features 18 vents, my head did get quite hot when conditions were a little warm. The Koroyd isn't brilliantly breathable and the added bulk seems to block a lot of the airflow. For the guy in my mid-November 'cross race, mentioned at the start of the review, it wasn't an issue, nor would it be for commuting and gravel/adventure rides, but it certainly limits its road appeal.

> Everything you need to know about cycling helmets

As a commuting and adventure helmet, then, the Route Mips is a very good package with plenty of safety tech for peace of mind. However, the bulk, weight and low airflow could be an issue for road riding, especially in warmer conditions.

Verdict

Extra-tough lid, but limited venting means it's best reserved for cooler days and more casual riding

road.cc test report

Make and model: Smith Route Mips

Size tested: 55-59cm

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Smith says: "Getting you from any point to your destination, the Route road helmet raises the bar when it comes to comfort and protection out on the road. Using Smith's proven Aerocore™ Construction featuring Koroyd®, the Route's clean design targets in on important zonal impact areas, offering better protection where and when it matters most. We combine this with our AirEvac ventilation and VaporFit™ adjustable fit system, creating the perfect balance of comfort and confidence for any ride."

In essence, and without Smith stating it, I believe this has been aimed at adventure riding with possibly an eye on commuting. The Mips system certainly adds an extra safety element for heavy traffic riding and the robustness of the outer shell will make this idea for gravel riding.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

From Smith:

Lightweight Aerocore™ In-Mold Construction

Zonal Ventilated Protection Featuring Patented Koroyd™ Material

MIPS system available in all colors

VaporFit™ Adjustable Fit System

18 Optimized Vents

X-Static with Reactive Cooling Performance Lining

Ultra-Light Single Layer Webbing

AirEvac Ventilation

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

Sturdy construction is ideal for adventure riding. I would be happy to pack this away and not worry about it getting crushed.

Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10

While the helmet fits comfortably, it isn't the lightest and also loses marks as it can get a little hot. The Route also feels bulky, giving a slight mushroom-head appearance.

Rate the product for durability:
 
9/10

Even in a relatively short test period, the Route is really shining. It is made of strong stuff and hasn't dented or marked. Everything on this helmet was made to last.

Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
 
5/10

If you're looking for a light lid, this isn't it. However, I'd imagine it'll stand up to a lot more abuse than a standard featherweight lid.

Rate the product for comfort (if applicable)
 
6/10

I had no problems with pressure points and no irritation from the straps. My problem was with the heat that the helmet retains in warm conditions.

Rate the product for value:
 
6/10

Yes, £130 is a fair chunk of cash to throw at a helmet, but I reckon the Route will last a good amount of time, making this quite a good investment for adventure riders.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Very well. Thankfully, I didn't have to test the Mips system, but it was nice to know about the added safety. The venting could be improved though.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The robustness of the shell withstood a lot of abuse without complaint, keeping the Route looking smart and fresh.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The bulkiness and inadequate venting in warm conditions meant this got quite sweaty as soon as I rode harder.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? For a commuting helmet, yes. As a road helmet, no.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your score

The Route Mips scores well on robustness, but the reduced airflow limits its use. It's good, deserving 7, but not quite up to an 8.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 22  Height: 1.77m  Weight: 61kg

I usually ride: Rose Xeon RS  My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 5-10 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo-cross, commuting, club rides, general fitness riding, I specialise in the Cafe Ride!

Smith Route Mips 2016
Smith Route Mips
Smith 2016
Smith

Add new comment

7 comments

Avatar
Paul J | 8 years ago
1 like

It's interesting to see a helmet company actively come out and market the fact that existing helmets don't do anything for one of the main causes of brain injury - rotational injuries. They keep quiet on the point that existing helmets may even exacerbate those.

Also interesting that the system to mitigate that adds weight, bulk and reduces heat shedding even further.

It's worth pointing out that there's a 0g-added-weight helmet, with really good airflow and heat shedding, that doesn't increase the width of space that can transmit impacts to your brain, and which isn't that much less safe than a standard cycling helmet (indeed, for certain kinds of impact/accidents it's safer): nature's own helmet alone, your skull.

Further, relying on it alone it has been shown to have positive effects on your brain's ability to assess risk....

Avatar
fukawitribe replied to Paul J | 8 years ago
0 likes
Paul J wrote:

Also interesting that the system to mitigate that adds weight, bulk and reduces heat shedding even further.

 

You talking about Koroyd or MIPs ?

Avatar
robertoegg replied to Paul J | 8 years ago
1 like
Paul J wrote:

It's interesting to see a helmet company actively come out and market the fact that existing helmets don't do anything for one of the main causes of brain injury - rotational injuries. They keep quiet on the point that existing helmets may even exacerbate those. Also interesting that the system to mitigate that adds weight, bulk and reduces heat shedding even further. It's worth pointing out that there's a 0g-added-weight helmet, with really good airflow and heat shedding, that doesn't increase the width of space that can transmit impacts to your brain, and which isn't that much less safe than a standard cycling helmet (indeed, for certain kinds of impact/accidents it's safer): nature's own helmet alone, your skull. Further, relying on it alone it has been shown to have positive effects on your brain's ability to assess risk....

 

Luckily, when my chain snapped and I threw myself on the road, I was wearing an additional exo-skull named Kask Mojito.... Alas, poor Mojito is no longer with us (at least not in the mono format I knew him as.... I call them Moj and Ito now!).

I have since purchased another exo-skull... 

Avatar
ConcordeCX replied to robertoegg | 8 years ago
0 likes
robertoegg wrote:

Luckily, when my chain snapped and I threw myself on the road, I was wearing an additional exo-skull named Kask Mojito.... Alas, poor Mojito is no longer with us (at least not in the mono format I knew him as.... I call them Moj and Ito now!).

I have since purchased another exo-skull... 

should have bought a helmet protector.

 

Avatar
Angry Egg | 8 years ago
0 likes

Those straps looks terrible! Would do my head in...

Avatar
The _Kaner | 8 years ago
0 likes

Is that the wrong size helmet in the pics?

Pic 2 looks like there is absolotely no rear protection for the lower part of the head/skull. 

Oh, and it's (yet) another butt ugly offering from Smith...

Avatar
velo-nh replied to The _Kaner | 8 years ago
0 likes
The _Kaner wrote:

Pic 2 looks like there is absolotely no rear protection for the lower part of the head/skull. 

He's got the thing pulled down to his eyebrows.

 

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