Smith Forefront 3 MIPS Helmet
The Smith Forefront 3 is built for riders who demand maximum protection without sacrificing the ventilation required for gruelling, high-torque technical climbs. At the core of its safety architecture is complete KOROYD coverage—a unique, honeycomb-like matrix of thermal-welded tubes that crumple instantly and consistently under impact, absorbing significantly more energy than traditional EPS foam alone. To manage severe crashes, Smith has embedded a fully injected internal roll cage throughout the EPS framework to distribute impact forces across a broader area.
Comfort and integration are where the Forefront 3 takes a massive leap forward. Rotational forces are mitigated via the ultra-streamlined MIPS Air Node safety system, which is integrated directly into the fabric padding rather than using a noisy, plastic internal slip-liner. The helmet features 20 fixed vents designed in tandem with Smith’s AirEvac ventilation system, which pulls hot air away from your face and channels it through internal cooling ports to completely prevent your sunglasses or goggles from fogging up.
Riding Insight: The Eyewear & Goggle Synergy
The Forefront 3 truly shines when paired directly with Smith optics (such as the Squad XL goggles or Wildcat glasses). Because the front brim of the helmet mimics the exact curve of their eyewear frames, it creates a seamless seal that forces incoming trail wind through the AirEvac ports.
Hot air from your brow is sucked out through the bottom of the helmet shell and ejected over the top, meaning your lenses stay completely clear even when grinding up humid, low-speed singletrack climbs in the heat of summer. Furthermore, the inclusion of rear-facing sunglass storage channels is a brilliant addition for riders who find front-facing glasses distracting or prone to falling out when looking down at technical terrain.
EVO Opinion:
The Smith Forefront 3 MIPS Helmet represents the pinnacle of modern, high-tech half-shell protection for enduro, trail, and all-mountain mountain bikers. Reengineered from the ground up to address the ventilation critiques of its predecessor, the Forefront 3 increases airflow by a staggering 25% while expanding rear coverage to wrap further around the back of the head. Featuring a full internal injected roll cage, a micro-adjustable BOA Fit System, and dual-layer impact tech, it balances elite safety with premium comfort.
