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My old ski helmet was a joke. It was big and bulky, didn’t fit right and had a hideous pattern on the side. Nonetheless, I loved it. However, after prodding and some mockery from my friends, I finally got a new Smith Variant Brim Helmet.
1st and most important- fit! Smith Variant Brim Helmets come with a “Helmet Fit System,” a ratcheting system similar to those found on bike helmets, so you can really customize it to fit your head. They come in 3 sizes (S, M, L) and you can adjust each as needed. No more helmet drooping down over my eyebrows! This one fits right and stays in place.
Smith Variant Brim Helmet
- Venting system! I’ve never had a helmet with vents before. If you’re sweatin’ up a storm on the hill, flip your vents open and you’ve got an instantaneous breeze on your dome. Too cold? Close em up with the simple flick of a finger.
- X-static lining fabric- Supposedly regulates odor and eliminates static… Your hair won’t stand on end when you take the helmet off.
- Sweet designs! Smith has really pioneered the market of making helmets and goggles fashionable. The Variant Brim comes in several different designs, from a matte black for those conservative types to a blue floral or white pinstripe for those of you wanting to make a statement.
- Ear pads are removable, and can be interchanged for audio compatible ones or a bluetooth compatible phone system.
Last thing- the brim! I was not psyched on this idea at first. Why do I want a brim? I almost got a regular Variant Helmet, but after some convincing, went with the brim. Definitely the right choice! When paired with Smith Goggles, the venting system that is created is the greatest! The brim redirects airflow, keeping your goggles fog free. Also, it’s great for keeping some of the sun out on those sunny days and the snow out on the days it’s nuking. My only gripe- I ride with my goggles up on my helmet unless the weather absolutely necessitates some ocular protection, and getting them to sit up there takes a bit of finesse.
;)
I just got a smith variant brim and I love it. I like the low profile visor, though it does make it a little inconvenient if you sometimes put your goggles up on the brow of your helmet while hiking or otherwise sweaty-faced. However, the glare shielding is good, the ventilation great, and I like that the visor’s profile makes your head not look like a bowling pin, like completely rounded helmets do.
The variant brim is a very nice helmet, with great features, low profile and venting.
However I had to return mine as the three size range just isn’t enough to accommodate my head. It seems that helmet mfgs are cutting down to three or so sizes to try to fit “most” and more and more I am finding it hard to find ski or bike helmets that fit. Big heads beware.
Good point, joshg. I think you are right that many mfrs are cutting down on different sizes — thankfully, for a small head like mine, they have a scull-wrapping re-sizer, just like bike helmets. But yeah — if their largest size shell isn’t big enough, then that re-sizer won’t help one bit.
I like everything about the helmut but the audio keeps cutting out under bluetooth. I was really looking forward to wireless toons with this version! I will try the hard wire to see if that is the real issue.
By the way, for the guy glueing his helmut back together there is a 3 year crash warranty and lifetime warranty on this helmet. I am going to send it back and hopefully all I have is a faulty bluetooth setup.
Anyone else have this issue?
can anyone sujest goggles have suit the variant brim helmet ?
I would recommend the Smith Phenom goggle: http://www.gear.com/smith-phenom-ski-goggles-gear-review/
But I would recommend getting a goggle strap extender, especially if you are going to need your Variant helmet in any size larger than Medium.
I have to admit that the helmet fits great and is by far the most comfortable… that being said, first time out with it the visor cracked off (maybe the -30 deg wind chill). also a few weeks later one of the vents got jammed. Called Smith and hey told me that the visor cracking off was my fault most likely and the helmet is not covered under warranty. I wound up taking the thing apart and fixing the vent myself, but the thing looks retarded without a visor. Smith wont sell me a replacement visor either!!!!!
hm, that’s strange that you can’t get a spare visor. check in with your local ski shop to find out who their local Smith rep is, and talk with him/her about it. I’m sure they can hook you up with some sort of proper fix.