I've had my Brim for 3 years now with the same jacket most days and no tears here! I LOVE this helmet!

Oh god no, please don't. I'll pull your pass.

Andrew- INCORRECT.

All come with HardCase EXCEPT for the "Green" environmentally friendly editions.

Go with the 184cm. I'm 5'9 and I use my 170cm Mantras (2007). My RaceTigers are 180cm.

I use Smith's I/O goggles with my Variant Brim and I can rest my goggles on top of the brim. However, if i start a bumpy run or shake my head quickly, they might fly back. My Smith Prodigy goggles do the same. I wear my helmet 12hrs a day while I am working and my goggles rest up there when it gets dark. Angus said it best when he wrote, "keep them balanced".

The I/O goggles and the Variant Brim helmet were made to be together. A marriage made in heaven. The Bee's Knees. No gapper hole between the helmet/goggle. Yes, the Prodigy fits killer too, but the I/O makes you look like a fighter pilot, which IMO is sweet. I'd recommend buying the Platinum Mirror lens and if Smith were smart, they'd make a polarized lens too! (Are you listening Smith??)

I haven't experienced cold feet at all with my boots. I've worn them in the middle of the night at 10,000 feet, 12 degrees and steady wind, while changing water hoses and getting sprayed. So they must have that liner.

I took mine to a local sunglasses shop and they fixed them for free!

If Smith still sells their polarized lens for this goggle, that would be your best bet. Sure it costs the most, but once you go polarized, you never go back. Say flat-light conditions exist, you wouldnt be able to see that catwalk cutting across the trail until its too late... Sensor mirror is great in flat-light, no doubt. Polarized is great for sunny days or if you hate glare. Personally, I rock my Prodigy Polarized on sunny days, and switch to my Smith I/O's for everything else (yellow, sensor,ignitor, platinum, clear)

Bad Answer Angus, Hestra recommends waterproofing their gloves. Sigh.

Best way to do it is to take some time and rub the waterproofing wax into the glove, making sure to especially get areas that tend to get wet. Hope that helps, it shouldn't take more than a few minutes.

Actually there is a way to rig up the skullcandy twintip audio ear pads to a walkie-talkie. Just need the right cables.

I too have both the Variant Brim Helmet (with skullycandy BT) and the I/O goggles and they are a PERFECT match. Sure you look like a F-35 pilot but that just makes them all the cooler. I highly recommend this setup!!

Absolutely, Yes. Over and Over.

If you are hot waxing (the original way) just spread out drops of it evenly along the whole ski. Should end up using not too much, barely 1/3 of one little brick of the block. The "new" way of waxing is to tap the edge of the wax to your iron and rub it on then over with an iron/fiberline*. That way uses much less wax. I prefer to use the old way and one little brick of the block can last me 4/5 waxes on my 175cm race skis.

i have both, i have to say they are equal. i like that the I/Os come with the two lenses. and they fit great with my Variant Brim. you will be happy with your choice.I agree, they fit extremely well and the ventilation system works great with my Variant Brim helmet. Great combo.

Doesn't look like backcountry.com carries them at the momment. Try google.EDIT: I went onto Smith's website and ordered the Yellow and Platinum lenses. Both work great. A bit expensive since they were not on sale but still totally worth it. I now have 4 different lenses to choose from, totally cool.

The mantra is a STIFF ski that rips on groomers and ice, you could ski pow with it , but is way too stiff as a true powder ski. don't even get near a park with this. ski, way to stiff, also it only has a slight raised tail not a twin tip. It handles the chop that most powder days become in about an hour great because it is stiff. I use this as a touring and resort ski - so it works great in untracked, but handles a front side powder day just great.

Vacuum belts work just as well my manAdded: I went to my local ski store and they gave me about 10 bands for free, with that in mind, I wouldn't pay more than a dollar per band.

I have this helmet with the plantronics bluetooth and mine also cuts in out sometimes. It seems to skip usually when its cold (25f or colder) and if its a bumpy run or on a landing (off a kicker). I think its just something we have to deal with. Smith support was NOT very helpful and just had me chasing my own tail for help. Other than that, its warm, safe, and efficient. Can't complain (too much).