Product Review: Smith Forefront 3

Back in 2013, when the original Smith Forefront was released, it was the first mountain bike helmet to use sections of Koroyd reinforcement (that drinking straw-esque material) in its shell to provide more penetration resistance than any other trail lid on the market could offer. Over a decade later, and now in its third iteration, the original design has been gradually refined and tuned into this newest version, the Smith Forefront 3. 

While quite a lot has changed with the helmet through the models, its intended use remains the same with the Forefront providing almost the maximum possible protection from an open face helmet, giving riders taking on technical terrain as safe a helmet as they could pick without moving to a full face. 

If you're not yet familiar with Koroyd, then you can read all about it here but in essence it's an expensive but tremendously absorbent and tough set of shock absorbers, bonded into a mouldable sheet, which can then be built into helmets or other gear. It adds cost, but offers a level of protection that simple EPS can't match.

As well as the full Koroyd wrap, the helmet also has the head coverage to match. Extending right down the back of your head and covering your temples, this is a helmet that feels as if you are inside it, rather than one that’s perched on top of your head. The secure and deep fit is further enhanced by the rear cradle, which Smith calls their Flexible Fit System.

That system is made up of a flexible and vertically adjustable rear cradle, BOA adjustment dial and nylon thread, aiming to eliminate any pressure points, while the flexibility of each part gives the helmet the ability to mould to the shape of your head. The rear cradle is large, flexible and backed by a grippy, slightly rubberised fabric giving it excellent purchase on the back of your head, meaning the Forefront 3 stays securely in place over rough ground without needing to be too tight. 

Also new for the Forefront 3 is the Mips Airnode liner. Forgoing the plastic slip plane of the previous Mips systems, Airnode uses a single, fabric topped layer which connects to the outer shell of the helmet via velcro ‘nodes’. These nodes provide the movement that gives Mips its protective properties. In practice what that creates is a lower profile helmet liner with increased ventilation. 

20 vents across the helmet keep air flowing through and the lower surface area of the Mips Airnode system means that these vents can work more efficiently to keep you from overheating. Compared to the outgoing Forefront 2, it’s a much airier and more breathable design, with the new centre channel especially noticeable in warmer conditions.

Not everything has changed however. Well liked and effective, the eyewear channel used in the previous versions carries over into the Forefront 3. A moulded slot for the arms of your glasses encircles the full shell, giving you two options of where to keep your glasses when not in use. For maximum security, they can be slotted into place from the front under the visor, or for even quicker access and removal a second position on top of the helmet can be used. In use, both options work well with glasses staying in place and with a little practice are easy to take on and off the helmet one handed while riding. 

With the helmet launched back in March, our whole team has now had a full summer of riding behind them in the new lid. From all day rides coaching and guiding throughout the Tweed Valley, to fast paced power hours after work and everything in between, we’ve collectively put hundreds of hours of ride time into these helmets. 

Across all this cumulative ride time a few things have really stood out to us. First, and most obvious as soon as you put the helmet on, is the quality of the fit. The rear cradle is very flexible, grippy, and has very little structure of its own. Coupled with the nylon cord (rather than a normal plastic strut) that traces its way around the helmet’s interior, the fit system is unlike any other helmet we’ve used before. The large and easily conformable material of the rear harness gives the helmet a very secure and evenly tensioned feeling when worn. The BOA dial makes finding just the right tension a breeze and the large surface area of the rear cradle nestles into the back of your head nicely making the helmet feel almost invisible when on. Even when worn all day, we’ve had no problems with pressure points arising, or the helmet shifting around; the Forefront 3 is a helmet that you can almost forget you’re wearing.

What the Forefront 3 won’t let you forget however, is your glasses. With integrated eyewear storage channels, it encourages you to bring your glasses on every ride, with no helmet interference when they’re worn, and easy and secure storage when they’re not. When having eyewear along is this easy, it becomes easy to get into the habit of taking them and as a result we’ve all been using our glasses more regularly and benefiting from the eye protection they provide. 

Unfortunately from the point of view of a test (but not for the staff!) we've had no major crashes over the course of our time using our new helmets. If we were to do so, then we’d be confident that with its solid fit and full Koroyd coverage we’d be as protected as is possible with an open face helmet. Overall durability seems good so far otherwise, with helmet liners and pads all lasting well and all the adjusters on everyone's helmets still working perfectly so far. 

All in all, the Smith Optics Forefront 3 represents a significant leap forward from its predecessor, offering a real evolution in helmet design. Its innovative and effective fit, coupled with extended shell coverage, makes it an easy choice both in terms of safety and everyday practicality and coupled with its sleek and modern looks, it's a helmet we are all happy to reach for day in, day out.

Have an aging or damaged helmet and are thinking about a replacement? Put one of these cutting edge helmets on your shortlist or come by and have a look at one in person. 

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