Some things are just better together. This is especially true when you have two pieces of gear that have been engineered to partner perfectly with each other for some specialized purpose, like ski goggles and a helmet. The combo that I’ve been taking out all winter is the Level Snow Helmet with MIPS and I/O MAG Snow Goggles, both from Smith Optics. Let’s jump into it! My head measures 57 centimeters in circumference, which puts me right in the middle of the size medium range (55 to 59cm). I have a slightly rounded head shape and have found Smith helmets to be a really nice match for me in general, and the Level is no exception (it fit me similarly to the Vantage and discontinued Variance). All in all, the deep and fairly wide opening has a versatile shape, and combined with the highly adjustable fit system and four total sizes available—ranging from 51 centimeters (S) to 67 centimeters (XL)—most people should be able to get a good all-around fit. It’s easy to recommend the Smith Level Helmet and I/O MAG Goggles for skiers and boarders, especially someone who’s maybe looking to upgrade to an integrated system. I was totally pleased with the goggles in both high and low light conditions. The helmet is very good also, with ventilation that actually makes a difference. If you need something for your spring touring or want to get geared up for a 2021 ski season that hopefully won’t be cut short by a pandemic – take a look at Smith.

The inner lining is cushy and warm, and it’s also removable for an easy wash. Although, frankly, with the antibacterial coating my sweaty head hasn’t inspired any odors to develop. The ear pads can also accommodate third-party Outdoor Products ear chips that were designed for Smith helmets, for those who like music or the ability to do hands-free calling. One issue that I did have was that the lining kept getting slightly wrinkled as I wore it, leading to creases the caused irritating pressure as the day wore on. I think that more velcro attachment tabs would have solved that. Protection• Hybrid shell construction blends a durable exterior with a lightweight in-molded shell for durability where you need it most while keeping the helmet light

My size XL Vantage weighs in at 1 lb 2 oz. It matches the 1 lbs 2 oz weight published by Smith. Zonal Koroyd Hybrid construction We place a high priority on ventilation. Throughout the course of an average resort day, we open and close our vents on multiple occasions as we hunker down on a windy lift ride or heat up on a sidecountry hike. The technology behind keeping you at a comfortable temperature isn’t as simple as putting a bunch of holes in the helmet—that winter air is rather cold and can lead to dreaded brain freeze when you are trying to let out some steam. Smith's Vantage (left) has far better ventilation than a budget option like the Anon Raider (right) I count 22 vents on the helmet. It has a lot of vent area compared to most other helmets. We haven’t found a warm ski day yet where we thought the helmet was too hot with all the vents open. AirEvac goggle anti-fog vents

Smith’s Level MIPS is one of our favorite ski helmets for its well-rounded build, full feature set, and great overall performance. One longtime competitor is Oakley’s Mod5 MIPS, which also features a hybrid in-mold construction and MIPS technology. Additionally, the Oakley sports upgrades like a rear Boa adjustment for dialing in fit and a magnetic chinstrap. The Smith wins out in comfort with more generous and plusher cushioning, along with a 5-ounce drop in weight. Neither are standouts in ventilation (and the Oakley lags behind in this regard), but they both get the job done for resort use. In the end, we think most riders will be happier saving with the plusher and airier Level, but the Mod5 is a good-looking and well-built alternative for frequent inbounds use.The Vantage helmet uses hybrid construction. It uses a Zonal Koroyd honeycomb energy absorber over the top of your head. 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1.537.354 2.171z"/> USA/EN First, look at the number of total vents of the helmet (we’ve provided this information in the specs for each helmet and in the comparison table above). Not all vents are created equal, but this number gives you a good starting point as to how much ventilation the helmet offers. To be sure, there is a correlation between the number of vents and cost of the helmet. One of the best ventilators, the high-end Smith Vantage, has an impressive 21 vents, while a budget model like the Oakley Mod1 only has six small fixed openings. Glade's Boundary has 16 vents and easy adjustability Smith Optics is generally regarded as one of the top companies in the business, and their flagship optical line is their ChromaPop technology. From a technical point of view, the idea behind ChromaPop is to increase the separation between the colors that you’re seeing to enhance contrast. Technically, they do this by creating lenses that filter out some of the intermediate areas of the visible spectrum, essentially creating a bigger ‘gap’ between colors. They have a variety of lenses for a variety of applications, everything from road riding to fishing to surfing. The high and low light lenses that came with the I/O Mag Goggles. Fit / Integration• Designed for ultimate integration with Smith goggles for maximum comfort and venting