Review: Smith Holt Helmet
By Curated Experts
Brennan P and Leonid Cha
Smith Holt Helmet
$56.00
$80.00
30% off
11 photos
The Curated Take
4.0/5
The Smith Holt Helmet is suitable for those seeking a basic, versatile helmet for skiing, snowboarding, biking, and other activities without breaking the bank. It offers good insulation, a sturdy two-piece design, and a compatible brim shape. However, it lacks MIPS protection, has limited adjustability, minimal ventilation, and the ear pads may not be comfortable for everyone. While it provides decent protection, those looking for the best level of protection and fit might consider investing in a helmet with more advanced features. Overall, the Smith Holt is a solid choice for casual users who prioritize simplicity and affordability.
Ideal for
- Compatible brim shape
- Great for skiing, snowboarding, biking, and others
Not ideal for
- No MIPS protection
- Adjustability is limited
- Minimal ventilation
- Ear pads might not suit everyone
Waterproofing
As with any helmet, this is made of hard plastic that is not water permeable. There are vents, and there is always the potential that water could get into them....Read more
I wish this helmet kept me drier. It only has a little brim to stop rain or snow from getting in. I get a bit uncomfortable when my head gets...Read more
Durability
This helmet is durable and will withstand any normal abuse while skiing. Keep in mind, as with any helmet, if someone gets in a bad crash and hits their head,...Read more
I've fallen a lot, and it hasn't broken. Once, I even crashed hard into a tree branch, and I'm glad nothing happened. It's really durable, so I feel safe wearing...Read more
Comfort
Generally speaking, this is a comfortable helmet; however, it gets a bit uncomfortable after long use. This helmet has no BOA, so the overall fit is less comfortable than other...Read more
Sometimes, when I have it on, I forget I'm wearing this helmet because it feels so nice. It's ideal for people with big heads like me. Occasionally, I wish the...Read more
Ventilation
I don't get too hot with this helmet, and my head stays fresh. Maybe Smith could add more ways for air to move in and out on really sunny days....Read more
Adjustability
It is missing a BOA on the back for micro-adjustments. Overall, I think the fit is okay, but as mentioned, more suitable options exist for getting a better-fitting helmet....Read more
I figured out how to adjust the helmet's size with ease. The tightness depends on my hair thickness or if I wear a hat. The chin strap is all right,...Read more
Protection
This helmet shields me when I trip. Believe me, I attempted it in many instances. Most importantly, this helmet keeps me safe. Whenever I fall, it absorbs the force protecting...Read more
Curated Experts are not sponsored by brands. Their reviews are based on their honest experiences testing products.
Brennan P
Leonid Cha
About the helmets
- Model: Smith Holt Helmet
Test conditions
- When I bought this: 2019
- Where I’ve used it: I have used this helmet all over Colorado in every condition.
- How many times I've used it: 20
Expert Reviews of the Smith Holt Helmet
Brennan P The Smith Holt Helmet is a good option for someone who wants a basic helmet that won't break the bank. The helmet keeps my head warm, but the ventilation is very limited when it gets too warm. This helmet has a few vents to keep air flowing, but the ventilation is lacking compared to other higher-end helmets. Regarding the fit of this helmet, there is no BOA for micro-adjustments, so some people could have trouble getting it to fit exactly how they want. If someone just wants to have something on their head while out on the mountain but doesn't want to shell out hundreds of dollars for a helmet, the Smith Holt is a good option. However, if someone wants the best level of protection and fit currently available, I would probably spend a few more dollars and upgrade to a helmet with better features.
Leonid Cha I got this sweet Smith Holt Helmet, and I love it! I really wanted the teal one, but the one I got is great, too. I measured my head and picked the right size from the chart, and it's the ideal fit. It's so comfy, not bulky at all. I wanted a good-quality helmet that matched my gear color. I spotted this one and thought, "Perfect!" The Holt is sturdy and keeps my head warm in freezing temperatures. The helmet isn't massive, yet it shields my head nicely whenever I trip. The little brim attempts to ward off rain and snow, although it's not meant for bad weather or storms. It may soak if I ride in the storm. Still, the ear flaps keep my ears all warm and toasty. There's plenty of space for my balaclava, too. I gave it a whirl on my bike, wondering if the ear pads would bother me, but my ears stayed cozy. The helmet is big enough for my head and breezy to adjust settings. This helmet handles tons of activities, from skiing and snowboarding to biking and rollerblading—pretty much anything!
Product Specs
| Age Group | Adult |
| Gender | Unisex |
| Model year | 2023 |
| Helmet style | Half shell |
| MIPS | No |
| Helmet venting | Fixed Venting |
Review Ratings
Averaged between reviewers, view below how all experts voted.
Waterproofing
3/5
Brennan P gave 4 of 5 stars. As with any helmet, this is made of hard plastic that is not water permeable. There are vents, and there is always the potential that water could get into them. Luckily, when skiing, there should typically not be any rain outside, so water getting into vents is of little concern.
Leonid Cha gave 2 of 5 stars. I wish this helmet kept me drier. It only has a little brim to stop rain or snow from getting in. I get a bit uncomfortable when my head gets wet, so I hope they fix this with the next model.
Durability
4/5
Brennan P gave 4 of 5 stars. This helmet is durable and will withstand any normal abuse while skiing. Keep in mind, as with any helmet, if someone gets in a bad crash and hits their head, there is a high likelihood that the helmet will need replacing.
Leonid Cha gave 4 of 5 stars. I've fallen a lot, and it hasn't broken. Once, I even crashed hard into a tree branch, and I'm glad nothing happened. It's really durable, so I feel safe wearing it. The clips holding the ear flaps could be stronger, though. I accidentally broke one, but luckily, it's an easy fix.
Comfort
4/5
Brennan P gave 3 of 5 stars. Generally speaking, this is a comfortable helmet; however, it gets a bit uncomfortable after long use. This helmet has no BOA, so the overall fit is less comfortable than other options. The earpads start to hurt my ears after a few hours. Overall, I think there are some better options for a more comfortable fit.
Leonid Cha gave 4 of 5 stars. Sometimes, when I have it on, I forget I'm wearing this helmet because it feels so nice. It's ideal for people with big heads like me. Occasionally, I wish the padding were softer. I discovered that placing a thin hat underneath helped when my head hurt a little from wearing it all day.
Ventilation
4/5
Leonid Cha gave 4 of 5 stars. I don't get too hot with this helmet, and my head stays fresh. Maybe Smith could add more ways for air to move in and out on really sunny days. When I'm active, the air vents work great. Fresh air flows in, helping me stay cool. Nothing fancy, though, just vents.
Adjustability
4/5
Brennan P gave 3 of 5 stars. It is missing a BOA on the back for micro-adjustments. Overall, I think the fit is okay, but as mentioned, more suitable options exist for getting a better-fitting helmet.
Leonid Cha gave 4 of 5 stars. I figured out how to adjust the helmet's size with ease. The tightness depends on my hair thickness or if I wear a hat. The chin strap is all right, but sometimes it rubs against my neck. Adding a cloth buffer solved that problem. It is also manageable without it, but one's neck would be red after several hours.
Protection
5/5
Leonid Cha gave 5 of 5 stars. This helmet shields me when I trip. Believe me, I attempted it in many instances. Most importantly, this helmet keeps me safe. Whenever I fall, it absorbs the force protecting my head. Before buying it, I checked if it followed modern safety guidelines, and it did. I encourage everyone to invest in a good helmet.
FAQs
What do you love about this product?
Brennan P I like the design of this helmet. It is smooth looking and fits perfectly with Smith goggles.
Leonid Cha I really like the Smith Holt Helmet because it looks nice, is comfortable, and keeps me safe. Usually, helmets feel heavy and awkward, but not this one. I love how it matches my clothes too. I'm super happy I have this helmet. Isn't it cool that I can be stylish, cozy, and protected all at once?
What was your favorite moment with this gear?
Leonid Cha I suddenly bumped my head on the frozen ground while turning sharply. The helmet didn't have a single mark. This helmet saved my head from ice. For the rest of the day, I rode calmly.
Why did you choose this product?
Brennan P I chose this helmet when I first decided I should wear a helmet while I ski. I didn’t want to get something that was super expensive. I didn’t need any fancy features, so I felt this was a good option.
Leonid Cha I picked this Smith helmet because I liked it before. Quality and safety mattered to me. Also, I could use it for many activities, not just skiing. Price and safety features sealed the deal—a smart choice for everyone.
Brennan P
Ski ExpertLeonid Cha
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