Skiing is always fun, but it also has the potential to be a dangerous sport. Wipeouts, falling debris, and more could potentially cause injuries if you’re not careful. As a result, it is always a good idea to wear a high-quality helmet when downhill skiing to keep yourself protected.
If you want a helmet that offers excellent protection and versatility at a very fair cost, consider the Smith Mission Helmet.
Keep reading to learn more about the pros and cons of this ski helmet, who it is best for, and other similar alternatives to consider.
Contents
Quick Summary
- Where to buy: Amazon, The House
- Best for: Skiers who want a budget-friendly helmet that is versatile and lightweight, with great protective features.
- Pros: Protection, versatility, adjustable, and lightweight.
- Cons: The dial for controlling the fit is challenging, removing the earpads is tough, and the vents are small.
- Alternatives: TurboSke Ski Helmet, VANRORA Ski Helmet, Outdoor Master KELVIN Ski Helmet
What materials are used in the helmet?
The helmet’s outer shell is made of lightweight yet durable polycarbonate, and EPS foam is used on the interior for greater comfort.
Is it compatible with different ski goggles?
Yes, this helmet will work well with a variety of different snow goggles. The shape of the helmet supports various goggle styles and will keep them in place. The helmet also has vents near the front to help prevent your goggles from fogging up.
How should a ski helmet fit?
A ski helmet should feel snug around your head. If it is too loose in certain places, the helmet will move around, reducing its effectiveness. While it should be snug, it shouldn’t be too tight that it causes pain points.
Why Trust Me
Whether skiing, sledding, or other outdoor sports, I have a lot of experience in the outdoors during long and cold winters. I have tried many different helmets over the years to ensure I can safely enjoy these activities. I have researched the Smith Mission helmet extensively to generate this review.
Detailed Review of Smith Mission Helmet
Keeping You Safe
The most important factor of any helmet is making sure it keeps you safe. It features a strong outer shell to protect from impacts and debris. However, it is the protective features of the helmet that are truly impressive.
First of all, the helmet includes the MIPS brain protection system, which reduces the force of angled impacts to the head. There is also the zonal Koroyd coverage to help with energy absorption, without a ton of added bulk. This features a consistent core to protect all areas of your head.
Comfort and Weight
If you are going to wear a helmet, you likely want to ensure it is comfortable. This helmet uses foam inside to ensure it is comfortable against your skin. The helmet also comes in a variety of sizes to get the best fit for optimal comfort. It also comes with a dial to make small adjustments to the size.
While the dial works well, trying to adjust while wearing gloves can be a bit of a chore. In addition to the materials, size, and design, the weight of a helmet also impacts comfort. The good news is, this helmet is incredibly light and won’t weigh you down, even after wearing it for hours in a row.
Warmth and Ventilation
If you are out on a cold day, you will appreciate a helmet that adds a little warmth. The Smith Mission helmet is quite warm, thanks to the consistent lining throughout and the earpads that don’t let in a draft. Unfortunately, if you want to remove these earpads, it is a little more difficult than I would have liked.
The helmet also comes with a total of 18 vents across the entirety of the helmet. Many of these can be closed to retain heat or opened to up the breathability factor. While the vents are sufficient, they are slightly small, causing this helmet to be a little warmer than others. Still, opening the vents will provide a noticeable amount of airflow.
Value
Whether you are buying ski goggles, ski pants, ski helmets, or even skis themselves, you should think about the product’s value. You want a quality product but don’t want to pay an arm and a leg for it.
The Smith Mission helmet is priced fairly, especially considering many of the included premium safety and quality of life features. While there are certainly higher quality and more expensive options out there, this helmet is more than enough for the average recreational skier. Also, just because it is relatively cheap doesn’t mean that it isn’t also durable.
What I Like
One thing to like about this helmet is that it does a great job protecting you on the slopes. From the inclusion of the MIPS system to the strong and durable outer shell, you can feel confident knowing you are protected.
Another thing I like is the comfort offered by the helmet. It is very lightweight and versatile, making it great for all different kinds of skiing and other winter sports. The soft and absorbent lining can ensure it is comfortable against your skin and shouldn’t irritate you. The design of the helmet also comfortably fits a wide range of head shapes.
Also, you can’t talk about the positives of this helmet without mentioning the value. You get many great features, such as closable vents and the MIPS system, all without having to pay a premium for the helmet. Despite the price, the helmet is quite durable and well designed.
What I Dislike
One of the things I dislike is the size of the vents. The vents are relatively small and, while they work as advertised, if they were slightly larger, they could help the helmet be that much more breathable and usable in all weather conditions. This can often lead the helmet to run a little warmer than some others.
The earpads can be removed, but it isn’t the easiest of tasks. Because of the design, you need to disconnect a part of the helmet and thread through the earpads. It still shouldn’t take you more than a few minutes, but it certainly isn’t very convenient.
Another thing I dislike is the dial on the back of the helmet. While it is relatively easy to reach and access, trying to turn it while wearing gloves can be a little challenging and will take some time. This is mainly due to the shape of the dial and the amount of resistance it has.
The Alternatives
While this helmet might be the right choice for some, there are others who may want to see what else is out there. Here are a few other options for those looking for a new ski helmet.
- TurboSke Ski Helmet – Complying with the ASTM safety standards, this helmet features an outer shell with both ABS and polycarbonate. It comes in a few different colors and sizes and gives the user a lot of control. The size can be adjusted thanks to a glove-friendly dial, and there are a few vents that can be opened and closed. It includes a magnetic buckle for incredibly easy opening and closing.
- VANRORA Ski Helmet – This helmet is all about giving you the options to customize your experience. Sizing can be adjusted, as can breathability. But this helmet also allows you to remove the interior fleece liner, to choose exactly how much warmth you need. They also feature a goggle strap loop for keeping a variety of goggles in place.
- Outdoor Master KELVIN Ski Helmet – Coming from a great brand, this is among the best options for those on a tight budget. It features a reinforced shell and an inner core that assists with shock-absorption. The design is quite sleek and minimal, and the color choices you have are vast.
Final Verdict
If you are in the market for a helmet for your skiing adventures, the Smith Mission helmet is a good choice. The MIPS system and Koroyd coverage will help keep your head safe, and the earpads and foam will ensure the helmet remains comfortable, even after a long day of skiing.
While the dial can be difficult to use with gloves on and trying to remove the earpads can be a process, this helmet is still an excellent choice for those on a budget who still want something light, durable, and versatile enough for any kind of skiing.
