Smith launch high-tech Overtake helmet

Smith are introducing a new Overtake helmet that they say is “the most comprehensive road helmet on the market” because of its ventilation, aerodynamics and level of protection.

The Smith brand is best known for its eyewear – the full name is Smith Optics – although they already do a mountain bike and an urban helmet. The Overtake is their first road helmet.

“The Overtake offers best-in-class protection and maximum ventilation through its Aerocore construction featuring Koroyd – a series of polymer cores that absorbs 30% more energy than traditional EPS [expanded polystyrene] foam,” say Smith.

“Unlike traditional helmet designs, the use of Koroyd provides a significantly increased venting surface for better managed, highly focused airflow. Its use also helps reduce the profile of the helmet, providing unique aerodynamic benefits.”

The Koroyd is the material that sits inside the shell – white in the main picture, coloured in other options. It’s a series of tubular holes – it looks a little like a honeycomb – the idea being to allow air through without compromising safety. The helmet  looks like it has some huge ports in the shell, although we’ve not used it yet so we can’t say how effectively that venting works.

The Overtake’s aerodynamics began with design using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and finished with wind tunnel validation, according to Smith.

“Through a partnership with the Faster wind tunnel [in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA] and world-renowned aerodynamicist Len Brownlie, Smith tested the new Overtake against the current best-in-class helmets using the Wind Averaged Drag (WAD) methodology,” say Smith.

“The result: in real-world conditions, the Overtake is nearly identical in aerodynamics to the industry-leading aero road helmet yet boasts superior ventilation, lower weight, and overall protection.”

That current-best-in-class helmet they refer to is the Specialized Evade. Statistical claim alert! Smith say that if the Evade was used to do 25 miles (40km) at 25mph (40kph), using the Overtake would cost you just 1.06secs for the same power output.

They reckon that’s over 3secs quicker than the Giro Air Attack and over 25secs faster than the Giro Aeon, a non-aero helmet.

The Overtake uses lightweight webbing straps and weighs 250g, which is reasonably light, especially for an aero helmet.

“You may find a lighter helmet but you won’t find one that aids your overall comfort, safety and performance better than ours,” say Smith.

Fit adjustment is via a dial-operated system Smith call VaporFit, and Smith have incorporated an ‘“eyewear dock” that allows you to store your specs when you don’t want to wear them.

Certain colours of the Overtake also feature multi-directional impact protection system (MIPS) liners that Smith say reduce the rotational forces to the brain during impacts. Essentially, the MIPS liner is designed to allow the helmet’s outer shell to slide relative to the head when hitting the ground, lessening the rotational force and reducing the potential damage to your brain.

Smith claim that this, combined with the existing features of the Aerocore construction, results in the most complete protective helmet available.

Overtake Helmet from smith optics on Vimeo.

The Overtake will be available this autumn. It’ll be priced £250, or £310 with MIPS. Smith’s UK distributor is Saddleback.