After a fun day at Crested Butte in really sparse conditions, I decided to end the day with a quick run through the terrain park. I stopped at the top and waited my turn. My daughter suggested I jump the barrel gap jump so I dropped in. Approaching the jump, I decided I wanted to clear the barrel and not bonk it so I skated once or twice to increase my speed. I hit the jump with too much speed and cleared the landing ramp and rotated a little past straight. My right foot hit first and I snapped down; foot, hip, shoulder head. I was found down and unresponsive for several minutes. When I came to I had a sore hip, a 3rd degree separation of my shoulder and a cracked helmet.
My wife is an MD and was pretty sure I was brain dead when she found me, but I didn't even have as mild headache! I am pretty confident that the Smith Variant Brim helmet helped me avoid a traumatic brain injury. Needless to say I am getting another.
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I purchased this helmet in a nearby store and love it. My wife purchased a POC costing quite a bit more, this helmet is every bit as good as the POC and costs $90 less. I would happily pay the extra money if the POC was a better product, but there just isn't that much difference.After snowboarding for years, we decided to purchase helmets this year. After 5 days in the Colorado Rockies, I can confidently say that I will not ski/snowboard again without this helmet. I find that the lining and ear warmers keep my head warmer than the "beanie caps" I used to wear. I did not purchase the speaker option, my bud earphones work under the earpads just fine.
I tried on both the medium and large versions of the helmet. With the adjustments built in, I could have gone either way. I like their system better than the cheaper helmet's system of adding pads. I was able to get a good fit.
The one quibble I would have is with the brim. My goggles fit fine on the back, but the brim tends to get in the way when I try and put them on the top of the helmet. I have figured out how to hitch them on the brim, but it took a couple of tries to figure it out. I have Oakley goggles, not sure if a Smith version would be any different.
My in-laws are east-coast skiers vacationing out here for the holidays. After trying on this helmet, they are both purchasing it as well.
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I had this helmet for about 25 days on snow, various conditions from warm to cold and from dry to wet.I love this helmet. It is very light, as you would expect in this price range, and solidly built. The fit is perfect for my head and fit adjustments are the most comfortable I found. For example, fit straps have pads attached to them, unlike Giro's MX10 for example, so they do not rub or irritate your head and they fit snugly.
I would disagree with the previous reviewer about helmet being cold. I never had an issue with that, and in my view vents actually do work on hot days and prevent heat loss on cold days. I usually have them closed when temp gets below 20 or so, and I did not have to wear a head liner yet (and I do have short hair :). I also found they seal out snow reasonably well on wet or powder days, given that I did not find a helmet with watertight vents yet :)
The brim is good on snow days, but it can be in the way of removing goggles if they do not have a strap designed for helmets. I have a pair of Oakley Wisdoms and they do get caught on it because of their short strap. Other than that I think vent system works very good and I did not have a problem with fogging even on wet days.
I do not have an audio earpads set, so I can not comment about them. I still use my earbuds because they sound awesome and fit great.
Honest reviews on Smith Optics Variant Brim Snow Helmets
I snowboarded with the Smith Optics Variant Brim Snow Helmet on the East Coast and the Rockies during the 2009-2010 season and loved it. The brim keeps out the glare, the helmet stayed on during my (truly) numerous (ungainly) falls, the vents kept me cool/hot as necessary, and it was definitely the best looking helmet available.At Park City this year, my friend was skiing with the same helmet on and took a nasty fall into a depression. His head hit pretty hard, but he didn't feel a thing. Either it works really well, or he has a dense bone mass in his head instead of a brain. I suppose I cannot say for sure which one it is :)
As for the price, it is a little expensive. However, I thought it was worth it for the style and the quality construction.
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Love to ski, hate helmets, have resisted for decades. But when Fate sweeps away the glorious likes of Natasha from a bunny hill, all for want of a helmet, it's time to break down and choose ugly (helmet) over dead (no helmet). This winter, I reluctantly scoured online reviews and chose the Smith Variant Brim. Didn't think it would ever be possible to call a helmet cute, but this one in pinstripe white with its low profile and jaunty little brim is amazingly close. The clincher is how comfortable it is (vents super easy to use). Glad I spent a little more on this helmet for the great fit and look you don't HAVE to be a bobblehead. Thanks, Natasha. P.S. Bought mine on Amazon from Outdoor Guys lightening fast great seller.Another PS just returned from Vail. This helmet is everywhere its even the "standard issue" upgrade option for resort ski staff. This is the helmet to get if you can swing a few extra $$.
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