Update: Smith Forefront 3 Review: Incremental Improvements to a Modern Classic — Now Crash Tested

Up to date 8/18/2025:

After I wrote this assessment a number of weeks in the past, I had fortunately not examined this helmet’s protecting qualities with any real-world crashes, nor did I intend to take action. Properly, I’ve been driving in it most days since then, and I gave it an surprising influence take a look at over the weekend. Right here’s what occurred:

I used to be a pair minutes right into a 2,400 vertical-foot descent on one in every of my favourite trails. I hugged inside just a little too tight on a hemlock tree, and a small department hooked my proper arm close to the bend in my elbow. I wasn’t going tremendous quick, however quick sufficient that I used to be on the bottom earlier than I even knew what occurred, slamming onerous on my left shoulder, hip, ribs, and, you guessed it, my head. I’ve hit my head mountain biking numerous instances and have cracked a number of helmets within the final 30 years, however this was by far the toughest I’ve ever hit my head whereas biking. I sprang up shortly, as I all the time do after crashes, and tried to evaluate the injury to my bike and physique.

The obvious factor was the gash in my proper arm from the tree department that knocked me off the bike — which finally wanted a number of stitches to shut up. My left shoulder was just a little sore, and I undoubtedly bruised (I don’t assume they’re damaged) a number of ribs once I physique slammed myself on prime of my arm. The influence to the helmet and my head inside was straight on the left aspect, simply above the ear. Fortunately, I didn’t lose consciousness, however once I stood up, I used to be stunned to not really feel any disorientation or some other apparent signs of concussion (though the physician who gave me stitches stated it was probably I had a gentle one, regardless). I’ve obtained some seen swelling and lightweight bruising round my temple the place I assume the decrease fringe of the helmet shell pressed into my head, however that’s it. I used to be shaken up, however I used to be capable of experience away — after I discovered my glasses that had flown off my head.

I anticipated the helmet to look kinda smashed up, nevertheless it truthfully seems virtually like nothing occurred. After a detailed visible inspection, I may see that the internal EPS foam that borders the Koroyd had shifted barely within the central vent. Together with that, I seen the Koroyd had been pushed up into and deformed barely round a part of the outer EPS shell. Surprisingly, I can’t spot any cracks within the foam, which appears odd on condition that I’ve cracked helmets with considerably lighter impacts. I’m going to retire the helmet, clearly, nevertheless it isn’t that visually obvious that this helmet took a strong hit.

Would some other trendy helmet have labored the identical? I actually hope so. How about higher? Perhaps. It’s fairly onerous to say, and I’m not concerned with hitting my head like that once more anytime quickly. The Forefront 3 was the helmet I used to be sporting, and so far as I can inform, it did precisely what it was speculated to do. I gained’t attempt to inform anybody it’s the most secure or most protecting, however I’ll inform you that it protected my head the opposite day, and I’m fairly joyful about that.

Authentic Evaluation: 7/22/2025

Smith launched the Forefront 3 again in March. The third model of the model’s top-of-the-line half-shell mountain bike helmet got here simply twelve years after the eyewear model debuted the unique model of the unique-looking Forefront. That helmet actually stood out from the group with its distinctive, futuristic styling and its use of the comparatively unusual Koroyd materials. 

The Forefront 2 got here out manner again in 2018, and whereas it was nonetheless getting the job achieved, it was due for a refresh. The second model was a major enchancment over the unique, however its air flow nonetheless wasn’t one of the best, and its protection had fallen just a little behind its direct rivals. With the Forefront 3, Smith prolonged the shell’s protection barely, switched to a noise-free MIPS system, enhanced air flow by a claimed 25%, and up to date the styling a bit, too. 

Through the years, I’ve owned each model of the Forefront helmet. For the previous 4 months, I’ve been driving within the Forefront 3 on and off whereas testing it alongside a number of the newest and best helmets available on the market. With extra protection, a silent MIPS system, and higher air flow, it’s most undoubtedly an enchancment over its predecessor, and I feel it seems nice, too.

Extra Protection, Identical Koroyd

One of many modifications that Smith made to the brand new Forefront 3 was a slight improve in protection. The shell drops down just a bit decrease within the again to offer extra protection for the occipital lobe. It’s a modest improve, nevertheless it places the Forefront 3 extra consistent with the protection of different trendy half-shell fashions.

Like its predecessors, the Forefront 3 leans closely on the usage of Koroyd. This open, honeycomb-like materials covers virtually the whole thing of the within of the helmet and makes up roughly half of its thickness. The Koroyd panels are bordered by conventional EPS foam, then topped with a skinny layer of EPS and shell materials — aside from the vents, in fact. There’s additionally a “full inner injected roll cage” so as to add structural integrity and influence safety.

Smith and Endura have been utilizing Koroyd of their helmets for years, and it not solely seems distinctive however has some claimed advantages. These claims embrace higher influence safety than EPS foam, managed crumpling, light-weight, and enhanced breathability. In comparison with helmets with open vents, the Koroyd covers extra of the pinnacle, together with a lot of the vents, which offers a better proportion of head protection and influence safety whereas nonetheless permitting air to cross via. I’ll focus on the air flow in higher element under.

Fortuitously, I haven’t examined the influence safety of the Forefront 3 with my head…but. I rang my bell fairly onerous within the unique Forefront and cracked the shell, and apparently so did Zach. Each of our unintended crash exams lead me to consider that the Forefront helmets work precisely like they’re speculated to. Sadly, we don’t have any unbiased testing knowledge to again that up for the reason that Forefront 3 hasn’t been examined by Virginia Tech. I acknowledge that Virginia Tech’s helmet testing isn’t the end-all, be-all of helmet security, however it’s a standardized testing protocol that gives an ideal baseline of comparability. Regardless, the Forefront 3 complies with the entire typical bike helmet security requirements, together with CPSC, CE EN 1078, and AS/NZS2063.

New MIPS

One of many greatest complaints that many individuals had in regards to the earlier Forefront was that the plastic MIPS liner may very well be just a little noisy. I rode within the Forefront 2 for a number of years and was nicely conscious that the MIPS liner may squeak a bit once in a while. It didn’t actually trouble me that a lot, nevertheless it was noticeable, significantly when chewing issues.

Smith correctly selected to modify to the MIPS Air Node system with MIPS built-in into the pads, eliminating the possibly squeaky plastic liner. I can verify that the Forefront 3 doesn’t make any annoying MIPS-related noises, and I can eat my path snacks in peace.

Improved Air flow

Air flow has all the time been the Achilles’ heel of Smith’s Forefront helmets. It’s not because of a scarcity of vents, however reasonably the usage of the Koroyd materials. Positive, Koroyd’s open mobile construction permits air to cross via it whereas nonetheless offering influence safety, nevertheless it’s the orientation of the Koroyd that inhibits airflow each out and in of the helmet. Fortunately, the Forefront’s air flow has improved incrementally with every model, and Smith claims a 25% enchancment over the earlier. 

The principle factor working to enhance air flow is the wide-open central vent. A lot to the dismay of one in every of my bald-headed mates, this vent is the one a part of the helmet that isn’t backed by Koroyd, and it really permits air to cross from entrance to again excessive of the pinnacle. Comparatively, the Forefront 2’s middle vents have been additionally open, however blocked within the center by foam. In any other case, the remainder of the Forefront 3’s 20 vents are nonetheless backed with Koroyd.

With no wind tunnel, air flow efficiency is difficult to quantify, however I’ve undoubtedly seen that the Forefront 3 feels a bit cooler on my head than the Forefront 2. Is it 25% higher? Most likely. Is it as ethereal as different top-of-the-line helmets just like the Giro Manifest Spherical or the brand new Fox Speedframe Professional? Not fairly. 

The principle factor at play is the Koroyd materials. On the entrance of the helmet, the Koroyd tubes are going through ahead, they usually permit air to cross via straight to the brow. As you progress to the highest or aspect of the helmet, the Koroyd tubes are perpendicular to the path of air motion, and subsequently have a tendency to dam the speed-generated breeze from flowing freely via the vents.

Nonetheless, the Forefront 3’s air flow is a particular enchancment, nevertheless it’s not prime of the heap on the subject of airflow. Regardless, I’m comfy driving in it 95% of the time, on all however the hottest days of the 12 months.

Match and Consolation

The Forefront 3 is available in three shell sizes and is claimed to suit heads between 51 and 62 cm. With my 59 cm head, I’m caught precisely on the cusp between Smith’s medium and enormous helmets — and plenty of different manufacturers too. I can often get away with both, nevertheless it ends in me maxing out the medium or swimming within the giant. On this case, I opted for measurement medium, and I don’t remorse it. The big would have been simply tremendous, too, and possibly match a tiny bit deeper on my head. 

Regardless, it’s a very comfy helmet. I’ve all the time gotten together with the form of Smith helmets, and I feel they need to typically work for most individuals. My head leans barely to the rounder aspect of the spectrum — POC helmets I’ve worn have felt a bit slim to me, for instance — and the Forefront 3 feels nice, even on the higher finish of its match vary.

One of many causes is Smith’s new Versatile Match System. As an alternative of a stiff, plastic cradle behind the pinnacle, Smith opted for a tender, versatile cradle that conforms very properly to the occipital lobe and has three positions of vertical adjustment. A BOA dial pulls pressure evenly across the head, and the textile lace is tremendous low profile and doesn’t battle with sunglass arms, even when they occur to overlap. I’ve learn complaints about this BOA system, however I’ve had no points getting the helmet cosy sufficient to maintain it from shifting round over tough terrain or pulling on my hair. 

The straps are additionally nicely executed. The strap splitter by the ears holds them flat and helps forestall undesirable ear contact. They’re linked with an ordinary plastic buckle below the chin. At this worth level, I feel a Fidlock magnetic buckle will surely be good, however I additionally don’t thoughts the common, low-profile buckle.

Practical Visor

One factor that fortunately hasn’t modified is the Forefront’s three-position visor. Whereas some manufacturers are confusingly inserting visors greater on the helmet — the place they’re basically ineffective for doing the issues that visors are supposed to do — this visor really works nicely for blocking the solar at low angles. It additionally flips up and out of sight when the solar is excessive or utterly out of the way in which when you could stash glasses or goggles.

Talking of glasses, the vent that circles the highest of the helmet creates a channel for stashing sun shades on both the entrance or the again. I virtually all the time hold my sun shades on my face whereas I’m driving, however I examined it out, and it was surprisingly safe.

No Extra Threaded Mount

The Forefront 2 had a small threaded mild/digital camera mount on the highest of the helmet, however Smith did away with it on the Forefront 3. This may actually be disappointing for some people, because the direct mount was steady, safe, and simple to make use of. Smith mentions that the helmet is appropriate with digital camera and lightweight mounts, nonetheless, and there may be apparently a Forefront 3-specific mount within the works.

Since that mount doesn’t exist but, it’s a little difficult to mount issues on the Forefront 3. Provided that Koroyd covers the vast majority of the vents, it gained’t actually work with a lot of the strap mounts that span aspect to aspect between vents. The skinny bridge in the course of the central vent, nonetheless, does present a spot to strap or clip issues, assuming they’re oriented entrance to again and slim sufficient to slot in the vent.

Smith Forefront 3: My Takeaway

I’m an enormous fan of the Forefront 3, nevertheless it isn’t all gold stars. The air flow is improved, nevertheless it nonetheless isn’t class-leading. I belief it to maintain my head secure, however it could nonetheless be good to see some comparative influence testing outcomes. Some people will certainly lament the lack of the threaded mild mount. And, at $300, it’s fairly dang costly. 

Nonetheless, for my part, it’s one of the best model but with incremental enhancements to protection, the MIPS system, a snug match, and higher air flow. It’s not a wild departure from its predecessor, however it’s higher in quite a few refined methods. I additionally like that Smith refreshed its look however didn’t veer from the distinctive fashion that has all the time set the Forefront aside. Opinions might differ, however I’ve all the time been an enormous fan of the Forefront’s distinctive aesthetics.

There’s no scarcity of high quality half-shell helmets to select from, and the Forefront 3 is one other strong possibility to contemplate. You possibly can study extra about it and all of Smith’s different helmets and efficiency eyewear on the model’s web site.

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