[Photography by Georgina Hinton]
With quite a few premium-priced trail lids on the market, the Smith Forefront 3 Mips is certainly giving the current crop one hell of a run for their money. The Forefront 3 still uses Koroyd’s advanced impact-absorbing technology with its eye-catching welded tubular structure, and now incorporates a Mips Air Node low-friction layer for increased crash protection and an integrated roll cage. Although it can run a little warm, there’s no denying how comfortable and stylish it is, and the new fit system is fantastic, but it does come with a hefty price tag.
- Best mountain bike helmets 2025 – top-rated head protection for the trail
- Endura MT500 Mips Helmet review
- When should you replace your bicycle helmet?
Smith Forefront 3 Mips Helmet – Technical details
Smith’s Forefront helmet has come a long way since its introduction back in 2014, when it first stirred things up. It’s gone through quite a metamorphosis in terms of its looks and is now the most protective version to date, says Smith.
The Forefront certainly boasts a unique silhouette and looks premium. Three main dual-density EPS foam panels make up the shell of the helmet. Incorporated throughout these runs is a complete roll-cage to help distribute impact forces in a crash, all of which are layered over a Koroyd welded honeycomb layer.
This lightweight structure is designed to act as a crumple zone and absorb impact energy in a crash. Sounds good? Well, it doesn’t end there. It’s great to see Mips Air Node used in the Forefront. This low-friction layer is laminated into the base of the padding and engineered to release on impact to reduce the rotational motion of your head. Fixed by velcro tabs, it’s super low profile, comfortable, and you’ll probably never notice it’s there.
All the sections and angles of the Forefront are smoothed off, giving it an almost organic aesthetic – It’s an extremely cool-looking lid. Talking of cool, it gets 20 large vents to provide masses of airflow, a medium-sized peak with three positions of adjustment, which also features large cutouts to maximise the flow of air through the front. The flowing wrap-around channels at the side of the helmet are also designed to store your riding glasses, either from the front under the peak or at the back. And the wide-open top channel will accommodate a light mount or your trusty action cam.
The helmet strap is made from lightweight webbing with a small clasp, although (as always) I’d prefer to see a fidlock magnetic clasp, especially at this price point.
The BOA Fit retention system uses a minimalist and rather floppy harness made from soft, malleable material, which is attached by a thin textile cord and adjusted to fit using a neat Boa dial. It all looks like it should be very comfortable.
My size medium weighed in at 403g, I tested the Matt Forest green colour way, and it’s also available in six other colour ways, including the wild Matt Zero Gravity colourway and sizes S-XL
Smith Forefront 3 Mips Helmet – Performance
I’ll admit it. I never liked the look of the original Smith Forefront. I also didn’t get on with the fit. So I skipped v2 and stayed with Troy Lee and Fox – among others. But with the Forefront 3, well, it’s a different story.
The Matt Forest colour is awesome, and although there’s a lot going on with it, there’s no denying it’s a looker. It’s bloody comfy too, so past experiences have been eradicated from my mind now that I’ve put in a bunch of trail miles wearing it. The new Boa fit system is probably the comfiest I’ve used to date. Trumping the Boa system used on Fox’s Speedframe RS, which is good.
Once cinched in using the Boa dial, the soft, floppy cradle cupped the back of my head perfectly, providing a really comfortable and secure fit. It sits quite a bit lower than the Fox Speedframe RS’s cradle and about the same as the Fizik Kassis, and although the Fox and Fizik are still stable and very comfortable, there’s an extra layer of comfort here. When testing a helmet light for night riding, it stayed firmly in place without needing to over-tighten, even with the added weight.
Having worn this since late summer, and now into autumn, I’d say it does run a little warm in motion on hotter days. Although there’s a ton of airflow through from the front, the top channels, and the direction of the Koroyd layer do seem to inhibit the full effectiveness of airflow. That said, heat dissipates quickly when stationary, and I never overheated. It’s not been a problem of late, though, as the temperatures have now dropped.
The Forefront 3 offers masses of coverage, so I felt well protected. It’s extremely comfortable and didn’t interfere with any of my riding glasses. I’ve also, for the very first time, been using the glasses dock feature as it’s so secure, something I’ve had a hard time trusting many helmets with in the past.
Smith Forefront 3 Mips Helmet – Verdict
The high-end trail lid market does have some cracking options if you have the budget.
The Fox Speedframe RS knocks a smidge off the Smith’s price tag at £250. It’s a more aggressively styled lid that features a similar retention system using a BOA dial, although it’s not quite as comfy. The Mips Integra Split provides the all-important protection against rotational motion in angled impacts, but does add a tiny bit of weight to the build.
Another great option is the Fizik Kassis. It also uses Mips Air Node protection and is a super comfortable option. Venting and air flow are excellent, and it’s the crown adjustment system that makes it an attractive option for those who struggle with fit.
The Smith Forefront 3 Mips will put a proper dent in your wallet, and it is more expensive than some of the other big hitters out there. But its styling, deep level of fit, and forget comfort and high-end protection are worth it if you have the budget.
All the deals displayed on our review pages are pulled from a constantly updating database feed of the best affiliate deals available. The criteria for deciding on what are the best deals is who is offering the lowest, delivered price. In most cases we will be showing the very best deal available online, but sometimes you may be able to find an item cheaper. If you can please feel free to post a link in the comments box below. To find out more about affiliate links on road.cc click here.
