The new Smith’s Pilot MIPS helmet is one of the most affordable mountain biking helmets in Smith’s lineup. The helmet combines MIPS with key features to ensure safety and comfort on any ride. With a retail price of $95 and available sizes from XS to XL, the helmet is accessible to new or seasoned cyclists. Smith has utilized a thin MIPS Evolve liner for additional rotation impact safety that is cut around the 13 air vents. A fixed angle front visor provides protection against sun or debris and can also be easily removed by pulling the tabs out. The Smith Pilot MIPS can also store sunglasses in the front vents with rubber side pads to help hold them in place.
The Smith Pilot MIPS helmet offers an affordable take on a MTB helmet with key features such as MIPS, removable visor and ventilation.
| Retail Price | $95 |
| Rating | 8.8 / 10 |
| Measured weight (in g) | 417 (size medium) |
| Likes | + Affordable price point in an increasingly expensive market + Wide range of sizes available from XS to XL + Integrated ventilation with a removable fixed visor |
| Dislikes | – Rear dial requires a fair amount of force to rotate – Side stray adjustment mechanism feels a little bulky |
| Where to Buy (US) | Smith |
UNBOXING
The Smith Dispatch helmet comes in a standard helmet box with topographic graphics printed on it in white and a slide-out design to access the helmet. Inside the box you’ll find:
- Pilot MIPS helmet in plastic protective bag
- Branded fabric storage bag
- MIPS / Smith tags
- Safety pamphlet
Unlike higher-end helmets, there is no fabric carrying bag included with the bag which is not surprising at this price point.
FIT & FINISH
Visually, the Smith Pilot MIPS has Smith’s classic two piece helmet design with forward facing air vents Even with the budget price, the helmet looks similar to Smith’s higher-end helmets with 13 vents built into the helmet. Smith currently offers the helmet in five matte color variations: black, dark gray, lavender and the dark blue version we have here. The color is officially called Matte Flint and combines a dark copper color visor with a dark blue main color. Branding is limited to Smith on the sides of the helmet This helmet has a single piece shell with exposed black foam along the rim and vent edges. There is no finished rim like you’ll find on more expensive helmets which gives the helmet more unfinished look. The visor also has a fixed position but it can be pulled off the shell with a little pressure.
Inside the helmet you’ll find an integrated MIPS Evolve liner with padding at the contact points. Each piece of padding is connected with velcro which means you can remove it to thoroughly clean the helmet. The MIPS liner is cut around the vents to allow for airflow and is black instead of MIPS characteristic yellow. A standard full fit system is used with an adjustable rear cradle and a plastic strap that connects it to the front of the helmet. There are four positions for the cradle with a removable tab design to allow it to be moved to a new position. The cradle also has a rear dial that feels quite thin and can be rotated to loosen or tighten the fit. To help prevent sunglasses from fogging, there are small vent cutouts in the front of the helmet to pull warm air away.
The Pilot MIPS uses thin nylon straps with adjustable side connectors where the straps connect to the under-chin portion. It’s a simple design with a flip up release mechanism that lets you adjust for different head sizes. The buckle is a standard plastic design with a rubber strap to hold any excess strap length in place. This is an effective and comfortable design, but it lacks the premium feel of helmets with chin cushions or Fidlock magnetic buckles.
ON THE ROAD
As reviewers we tend to see a lot of higher-end products which are always fun to try but can be expensive. That’s why we were excited to see Smith offer a sub $100 Pilot MIPS MTB helmet. The helmet has all the main features you’d want with MIPS, an extended profile for additional protection and easy to adjustable cradle system. We found the helmet to be comfortable with great airflow through the large vents. It also looks like more premium helmets such as the Lazer Jackal or Sweet Protection Primer aside from small details like the fixed front visor angle and unfinished edges. The helmet felt great on or off road aside from the thin rear dial and the side strap mechanism feeling a bit bulky against our head. Otherwise, the helmet offers a lot of the safety and modern features you would want from a helmet without the big price tag.
THE VERDICT
Overall, we found the Smith Pilot MIPS helmet to be well priced and designed. Smith has taken all the key elements you’d want from a helmet: safety, ventilation and adjustability and combined them into an affordably priced product. The Pilot MIPS has a simple and clean design with large vents and a fixed front visor that helps reduce glare. We were impressed with how many size and color options Smith offers with the Pilot to help accommodate different rider preferences. The helmet has an easy to adjust dial system and straps as well as rear cradle position. Our only negative with the helmet is that the rear dial feels a bit thin and cheap as well as the fact that the side strap adjustment piece is a bit bulky. That said, the Smith Pilot MIPS is a very well priced helmet that’s great for new or experienced cyclists looking to explore off road.
Disclaimer: The product for this review was provided by Smith Optics. The views expressed on this website are solely those of the authors and are here to help people make an informed choice before a purchase. The authors or the blog itself does not get any monetary compensation from the product manufacturer or third-party websites/vendor links that are posted here.