Smith Variant Brim Helmet - 2009 BCS

this is a fantastic helmet. i have a friend with a pro deal through smith, and she was grumpin, so i just went for it and bought this without the pro deal price. definitely worth the $.

This is a good helmet for a few reasons. It looks good (no bobble-head look), it has adjustable vents, It fits (my head at least) very well, and it protects your dome.

My only gripe is that after a couple falls the the brim and outershell are very slowly starting to separate from the helmet. Also, being one of very few cool looking helmets, everybody and their mom will have one. I personally am not too concerned about this, but just thought i'd mention it.

I've already put 15 days on this helmet so far this year, and it's gone through the back woods ringer. I've knocked branches and narrowly escaped skimming rocks with this thing. With the fitting adjustment on the back, it fits nice and snug. I'd almost say it's too warm even with the vents, but I'd rather be on the warm side than cold.

Very happy with my helmet. I bought a LARGE, I wouldn't consider my head huge, but this size fits me perfectly. The dial to adjust the skis makes it feel like a bike helmet. Ear guards are good, definitely keep me warm. Very good value. In Australia this helmet would be well over $200!

Very happy with my helmet. I bought a LARGE, I wouldn't consider my head huge, but this size fits me perfectly. The dial to adjust the skis makes it feel like a bike helmet. Ear guards are good, definitely keep me warm. Very good value. In Australia this helmet would be well over $200!

The order process for someone like me, purchasing in Australia is just the smoothest ride of your life. I love you guys so much, not only are you saving me heaps of dough but I couldn't purchase and receive them earlier even if I lived in the states.

Very light weight helmet and love the durability of the hardshell! The vents are great for cooling off! and fits great with the smith goggles! overall sickk helmet and actually makes me look better on the hill!

This helmet is where form meets function. The Chocolate Eastwood paired with the Brooklyn I/Os gold mirror is pretty slick. The helmet is incredibly lightweight, the grippy strip on the inside of the goggles keeps them in place above the brim and the vents are easy to adjust with gloved hands. I hit a line through some dense trees where the branches scraped the top of the helmet and smacked the goggles, but on later inspection, there was not a scratch or embedded tree parts on either. I pulled enough pine out of my old helmet...

I never used to be a helmet guy...in fact, I've purchased and tried to wear 3 other brands/models. This helmet on the other hand gets worn every day I'm out--whether sled-skiing, touring, or making resort laps, this helmet provides the safety I need with incredible comfort. It is well ventilated, lightweight, and it doesn't make you look like a character out of the old "Oddities" cartoon...you know what I'm talking about. Oh, and the brim is both fashionable and functional! On cold tour days, I can open the vents and leave this helmet on. The brim acts like a ball cap and provides your eyes a little shade. I love this helmet.

I picked this helmet up after suffering a concussion a week prior and cracking my previous helmet from the forehead all the way up the center to the top of the helmet. I knew that I needed a helmet that would protect me. After my injury I vowed to always wear a helmet.

I found this helmet on sale at REI. Picked it up, put it on, and fell in love with it. The construction of this helmet is incredible. The ventilation system is perfect. And it looks and feels great on your head. I used it towards the end of the season, about 4-5 times. And it was great. I strongly recommend this helmet.

Great helmet, and has an awesome helmet goggle lock up and is super toasty even on the coldest days

Great helmet, and has an awesome helmet goggle lock up and is super toasty even on the coldest days

Comfortable helmet. Good adjustability. I had a POC helmet before which you had to take off and move velcro to adjust the vents. My wife has a Smith and was able to adjust on the fly. Decided to catch up with her, and glad I did...

When helmets came around I resisted at first just cuz I'm such a badass, but this helmet really changed my mind. Its light its comfy and it keeps my head warm! O and the fact that it looks great on the mountain isnt bad either. If you are buying a new helmet, spend the money on this one, you wont be dissappointed!

The fit is great, it works well with my phenoms, the audio kit is easy to install and use, and it protected me well when I took a header into a tree. The vents are pretty easy to use, even with gloves on, and I've rarely been uncomfortable cold or warm as a result.

Good product.

Got mine a few days ago and just love it. I used to have a red hi-fi helmet but i changed this year. The helmet is super comfy and holds onto my head great. I for sure recommend it. :)

This is the Cadillac of ski helmets in my opinion. The fit is fantastic and the best I've experienced. Inside the mesh-like lining breathes well and has stayed in good shape after many long, sweaty days. Getting fresh air into the helmet is easily accomplished by a flick of the side switches. Lastly the outer material is hard and won't show small bumps and dings. This is the best helmet I've ever tried on.

It is not too warm, but with all of those extra cool vents that is what you sacrifice. A head sock solves the below zero days. When you take a crash in power it gets a bunch of snow packed in the vents, so expect melting at lunch. I will review again in the spring, which is why I purchased this model to wear when it is warmer.

Actually this is a great helmet. Very light well constructed nice vents. I love the look of the brim, and love how well the Smith I/O goggles work together.

The reason for just a 4 starts is because there are too many other skiers with them. Its kind of silly when you look the the left and see a kid with the red helmet and look ahead of you and see someone with the black one. I usually like having something different than others. But I guess its a great helmet if everyone wants one.

Really comfortable and warm.

Adjustable vents are a real plus.

So is ability to add Skull Candy speakers.

This helmet has served me well over the past couple of years. It does vent very well which makes temperature control easy. While it fits my head well, there is a gap between my goggles, which are made by Smith as well. I'd like to think that a company like Smith would make sure that wouldn't happened with their own goggles. It is also a very large helmet that makes you look like you have a space helmet on. In the future I think I will go for a different helmet that is a better value for the money.

The good:

- Protects your dome
- Looks good
- Goggles fit perfect under the brim w/ no gaps
- Sliding vents
- Low profile; no 'mushroom head'

The bad:

- Sometimes the pad on the chin strap slides around
- Pad can catch stubble
- Likely not for multiple impacts

Overall, a great buy. If I were to buy another helmet today, it would still be this one.

Nice dome piece, good protection, stylish, vents very well. Its got the 3 position venting which is perfect for all conditions, the vent slides are kinda small and hard to find and use with thick gloves. I use them with Oakley A frames and haven't had any issues with fit or fogging plus they go with the helmet nicely. Little pricey but worth it.

I have had this helmet for three seasons and it's pretty awesome. It breaths better then any other helmet I have ever tried out. No real drafts and nice air flow into the goggles. Only negative: first season the plastic ear piece broke off a little bit. I never returned it as it took me forever to find the solid matte army green..still keeps the ear warm so didn't bother. The brim has taken many shots and is still in place although a minor crack from a day banging through the tight east coast trees. Secondly, I use it for my bike commuting during the cold months here in Boston and it's a million times warmer then a bike helmet w/beanie.

Great helmet! Large fits my huge head perfectly. Great airflow through the vents and its warm when they're closed. The brim keeps the snow off my head and doesn't interfere with my vision. I thought that putting my goggles up would be a problem but they haven't snapped back once this season. Easily the best helmet I've owned!

This is the helmet you want. It has everything you need. Its adjustable to get the right fit for your noggin. Tons of vents so you don't sweat down into the eyes. Ear pads that can be fitted with speakers or just zip in your headphones and crank it. Goggle strap so you don't lose the gogs in a tomahawk. And it looks good too so do yourself the favor and just get it. You'll be glad you did.

This helmet is awesome. It's super durable, yet is still super light. The vents on here add amazing flow during those warm spring days. The brim helps to block snow, yet is small enough to kill the goggle-helmet gap.

I'm a boarder and originally was looking for a bern or red, but after visiting a store and trying them on, this smith just fit the best. The mesh lining & xstatic just felt sweet. It looks great, the vents are easy to adjust for conditions (i was easily able to close them on the ski lift w/my gloves on) They fit seamlessly with my Zeal Dominator goggle, and I also like that the Medium is so adjustable (54-59 cm i think), so I can wear a beanie underneath w/out issue if wanted. You can easily drop in audio adapters as well, if you're into that.

The helmet is a slight improvement on the older model, the brim is more durable and the chin strap seems to be a little better as well... everything else is pretty much the same, but in this case its a matter of "if it aint broke... don't fix it", cause this is an extremely well built helmet...

I did notice the fit of the Medium is slightly tighter that it was before and there are a few more pressure points than before but I am sure it will pack out eventually...

Overall, its a great helmet, but maybe not the best choice for kiting since I have to look up at the kite and the brim occasionally gets in the way of my view... Next time... I'll go brimless...

I found the white pinstripe helmet at a department store in Bountiful that was on sale, 30% off. for $119 this helmet is amazing!
The vents work incredibly well. Super toasty when you want it to be and instantly cools you off when you open them. There's two vents, symmetrical ones of each side of the helmet for those of you who's heads get hotter on one side than the other..
I'm 6'3'' 220 lbs and have a pretty big melon. I got the Large and it fits exactly, amazingly, perfectly. Like a glove.
Keeps your ears warm and the padding is cushy and strategically placed to where you hardly realize you're wearing a helmet.
Highly recommended, especially if you can find it on sale.

booya

Fantastic helmet. 4 pf my family bought this helmet this year. Love the brim and the vent system is perfect. Highly recommend to anyone

Very adjustable, and warm. I would say that because the flaps go over the ears, it may seem hard to hear your homies when your shreddin. Otherwise very comfortable and sexy.

I returned this helmet after wearing it four days. It had a irritating rattle whose source I couldn't identify. It was also cold- even with a skull cap on I got head freeze on a 20 degree day. The right side air vents opened on their own twice even though the lever seemed solid. I bought the women's Giro Sheer instead.

I'm partial to the mountain bike brim. I think it just looks better and forms a better air seal with the googles. I use native googles which were a good combo. The adjustable airvents are a must feature. In the morning I generally kept them closed until the sun came up. I then would open them up to get some air inside. In addition to being very comfortable (I was surprised), the helmet is very warm - almost too warm for temps above 38 even with the vents open. You would probably need to take some of the lining out. I took a spill or two taking the Minturn Mile and the helmet did what it was supposed to. I purchased the gun metal and couldn't be happier. Overall, great buy!

The ear pads are a bit snug but add in the Skull Candy speakers and after 15 minutes my ears ached from the pressure. The crown, brim and back all felt comfortable and fit well. Maybe I have big ears and no one's telling me?

Plastic adjuster on back of last years design breaks easily. Greenwoods in Boise warned of returns on this and the new model has gone to BOA system which is sweet. Get the BOA.

Be sure that the Smith I/O and this Variant are designed as a matched set. Works great because they fit so well together you don't get ice cream forehead because the air doesn't sneak in between goggle and brim.

If not for the junk adjuster, this is the best helmet.

Comfortable and functional. Combined with the Smith IO goggle it is like a warm cocoon for my whole noggin. When things get hot a quick slide opening of the vents cools things off instantly. I've owned many helmets and this is at the top of the list for comfort, style, and function. Of course beautiful ski bunnies follow me wherever I go when I'm wearing this stylin' lid. That is why I never take it off.

It was time to update my helmet so I purchased the Variant Brim to go with my Smith goggles. As advertised the helmet and goggle compatibility is great. Good venting if you need it.

This is sweet helmet with the best vetilation system. Its really nice being able to adjust the airflow in and out of your helmet.

best fitting helmet I've found. Light, comfortable, excellent ventilation when needed

As well as being the only helmet ever that doesn't make my head look like a wildly overambitious lollipop/mushroom, this helmet is amazing because it has mahoosive vents, which mean that I can teach on the nursery slope in 20 degrees C and not fry. I can also play in the pow at -15 degrees C and not freeze. Although I had trouble initially getting my (Oakley Stockholm) goggles above the brim to sit on my forehead, I stretched the straps out a few times and they sit there fine now, but still hug my face when my goggles are on. The brim fits perfectly with my Oakleys and the soft ear pieces mean that I can put my sunnies on without getting an ache on the sides of my head.

I haven't had a big crash in this helmet so I can't speak for it's safety, but my head feels warm and snug, or cool and comfy - and I don't feel ridiculous. Win!

Shame they don't do it in blue anymore...

On top of the perks of light weight, comfort, and looks this helmet saved my life. Wiped hard and went head first into a tree impact left me with a compressed fracture of my vertebrae but no head injuries. Helmet was crushed. Wouldn't buy any other helmet besides this one.

I love the vent system and the new school look with old school functionality. Best of both worlds. It's very comfortable, and works great with the audio kit. I love the adjustment system on it which is similar to a well made bike helmet. Googles also fit nicely on it.

I've tried several other helmets. They either felt like I was wearing a bowling ball on my head or let to much cold air in. This helmet is warm but breathes well and fits like a glove. I never get sore rub spots or find myself too hot or cold. It is also extremely light so I mostly forget it is on my head at all.

I used this helmet for 3 days of 12 degree blizzard conditions in Mammoth.
Never needed any extra warmth inside -very comfortable - I didnt get the headphones cuz i read they suck so i used my iphone earpods and they suck too - still need to find quality phones that fit .
Helmet rocks - you need to put your goggles at full extension to get past the brim - my goggles have the silicone bead on the back of the strap so they stay on the helmet fine when raised above the brim .
I bought 3 previous helmets prior to this one and although the Smith is pricier -its worth it big time for comfort. love the fact that you can adjust sizing with a click in case you want to wear a headskin or beany

Great helmet, goes perfect with the Smith I/O interchangeable optics goggles. Fits snug and the vents dump heat well. Keeps the head warm without a hat. Adjustable to fit your cro magnon head. I tried on alot of helmet in the store and likely risked getting lice, save yourself from risking the same and get yourself this helmet. i do alot of research before i buy, trust me.

Im asian and have kinda flat wide head shape on back.This is my first time i felt helmet was fit and comfortable on my head ever. ventilation is great too. They keep warm inside, not hot. If you open vent, it keep it cool, not cold. I went to slopes and found many guy wearing this helmet. I use oakley A frame(wz helmet strap) and fit to this helmet too. I recommend this helmet to anyone.

Ya I dont know, there's somethin with the construction of this helmet.

Pro's-fits great, lower profile than most with the big dome look, light weight, awesome ventilation...the obvious reasons.

For the negatives....the helmet is built in two pieces, due to the venting I believe. The top portion feels a little flimsy for my liking. Right out of the box if feels like it could almost be peeled in two! There's some play in it, almost like the two pieces aren't totally sealed which is causes this annoying squeaky sound. Feels like if my visor smacks a branch it will peel the top half right off the helmet. Its like im treating this thing fragile'y (sp?) ,afraid of breaking it.

If your rough on gear think twice.

Third helmet that I have owned. All the others were to hot. This has great ventilation and works good with my goggles (smith prodigies).
The fit is nice and snug. I like that you can adjust the fit on the back.
All around great helmet.

This is actually the first helmet I've ever worn and has proven its worth for sure during an all-world wipe out that knocked me out cold. This is a plus.

Only negative is the price tag, especially compared to the much cheaper and newer Maze which will probably be my next head can.

The helmet fits great. The adjustable strap makes it perfect. The visor does not prevent me from puttin my goggles up (just stretch the band a bit). Plus, it looks great when bombing some powder.