Hardwear
Product 2018
Man
New for 2018, this Smith helmet has a great design and technical whizz making it a recommendable product for great performance, either in town or out on long rides, at a price that won’t break the bank.
The Network combines MIPS technology for improved head protection in the event of any shocks by using Koryod, a honeycomb material that you can see in fluo green in the photos. Laterally positioned, they absorb energy from shocks whilst providing excellent air flow. It is made up of many little tubes. You also see the same technique used on ski helmets.
We were super impressed by the quality of the materials and the manufacturing. The weight is well balanced and we particularly appreciated the fact there are no squeaky noises, which is often the case with the use of MIPS technology.
The fit is extremely precise, fast with easy adjustment. We liked the well-finished little plastic parts, the rubber finished strap ends and small elastic strap to keep any surplus well in check.
The overall comfort level is basic, don’t over tighten the Smith Network because the foam is thin and you will start getting pressure points on longer rides. The helmet fits low down at the rear of the head, with an efficient twisting knob to adjust the sizing.
We really appreciated this helmet’s ventilation. We tested the visor which is an option delivered with the helmet. It is flexible, performant and doesn’t go out of shape. But, when you take it off, it removes the foam Velcro fixing…
The Network we tested was matt black: superb, classy. It does mark easily though if you put it down somewhere upside down. The other colors are probably less visibly marked. There is a very nice protective storage bag that comes with it. The instruction booklet is pretty basic, and no instructions on how to fit the visor.
This Smith Network is a very good protective helmet, we loved its technical qualities and manufacturing and especially the ventilation.
We used this equipment over a long period of time
These are our thoughts after intensive use:
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