SMITH VENTURE MIPS OVERVIEW

The Venture is a mid-priced trail helmet with a modern look that incorporates the MIPS system. Its extended head coverage and sharp looks meant it performed excellently for the price.

The Venture Mountain bike Helmet is built using in-mold construction - a hard shell bonded over the lightweight foam most helmets are made from - there are 20 large vents that are effective in channelling air flow and keeping things comfortable. Its not a super ventilated helmet which is due in part to the good coverage but the vents are large at the front and taper in size to the back.

Smith uses an adjustable retention system called VaporFit that allows you to dial in the fit a little more than others. The usual band tightening dial is at the back and it can also be lengthened and shortened at the front where the band pulls from. This means it’ll fit the more petite and grand sized of us. There are some rubberised areas on the inside of the dial area and this helps to keep the ratchet a little more away from the back of the head. It’s touches like this that make the helmet stand out a little more than others.

The fit is quite surrounding it feels very certain and covers well but doesn't have a huge amount of ‘stack’- it’s low profile in fit and looks great. The peak is fixed and isn't removable and offers a decent area to duck and dodge behind if the trail is overgrown or the weather is particularly rough.

Looks wise it's a pretty modern looking style with geometric style shapes and slight smoothing and rounding on the vents. The matte black looks sharp.

The inside of the Venture features antibacterial performance lining that does what it suggests and prevents the foam padding from stinking quite as quickly. The padding is all around the front of the helmet with a little thicker amounts on the side of the temples. It means that on occasion the sweat can pool and pour out the front as there are little segments that separate the padding.

I had some reservations that the MIPS plastic might make things a touch warmer in use - but there is ample space and area for air flow. I have to assume that the MIPS works as thankfully haven’t had to rely on it during the test period.

The strap is a lightweight webbing and is easily adjusted to fit - the strap is secured with the usual style clip and I found it comfortable and unobtrusive in use. There is a central vent that is perfect for mounting most helmet lights - unless you have one with a strap.

All in it's a good looking helmet at a competitive price point that suits most trail riding with the reassurance of the extended helmet cover.