[Review] The Session Helmet by SMITH

It’s been a while since I’ve upgraded my mountain biking helmet so when I first threw on the Session Helmet by Smith, I was quite surprised. Not only is the Session lighter than my old helmet, it has more protection built into it. If you have an old cycling helmet, take this as your cue to upgrade. The Session includes both zonal Koroyd and MIPS Brain Protection System. We’ll get into the details shortly but these are two of the most popular offered protection systems available right now and this helmet includes both of them. Safety first! 

Let’s dive into the most important part of a helmet first, the protection. With Koroyd and MIPS, you’re getting both energy-absorbing impact protection and a reduction to rotational forces (caused by angled impacts to the head). Smith has also built in an integrated skeletal structure which adds to the impact protection and strength of the helmet. Needless to say, you’re getting a lot of protection for your head in this package. And perhaps the most surprising thing is that this helmet is even lighter than my old helmet which had less protection. Another great benefit to both Koroyd and MIPS is that these systems aren’t making you hotter. As you can see in the video, MIPS is minimal material up against your head and Koyord offers a ton of ventilation with its honeycomb design. 

In addition to optimal cranial protection, the Session helmet has loads of venting (15 in total) to keep you cool during the hottest of rides. The liner offers sweat-activated odor control and I can say indeed that it does work. I’ve been doing a lot of sweating and the liner doesn’t have that musty, sweaty smell. 

The visor is adjustable to three positions. I ride with it mostly in the lowest position, but when the sun goes down or you’re riding on a cloudy day, it is nice to push it to the higher position to get it out of your peripheral. It’s not a make-or-break for me, but a nice bonus.

I’m wearing the Smith Bobcat Sunglasses with the Session Helmet which is a match made in heaven. I have not experienced any fogging issues. The Session helmet has Smith’s AirEvac ventilation system which allows for consistent airflow brought up through the sunglasses. Instead of getting trapped where your sunglasses typically meet your helmet, the AirEvac is there to continue the airflow. Be sure to check out my review of the Bobcat Sunglasses. 

If you’re looking to upgrade your head protection and comfort, look no further than the Session Helmet by Smith. If you want the ultimate, pick up a pair of Bobcat or Wildcat Sunglasses. If you’re interested in purchasing any Smith gear, doing so using our provided link supports us as we get a small kickback from your purchase. We appreciate the support!

*We received this gear for free in exchange for a review, however, it’s important to know that all thoughts are our own.