Smith Forefront bike helmet offers protection, comfort and more

A bike helmet is one of those things that you’d rather not think about. You want it to be comfortable enough to forget you’re wearing it, and most importantly, be tough enough to protect your noggin in a fall. The Smith Forefront mountain bike helmet succeeds in both categories. First with the comfort: The Forefront, which uses Smith’s Aerocore construction, offers full coverage with excellent ventilation to ensure you don’t overheat. (It keeps the sunglasses from fogging up as well.) The helmet is designed to accommodate sunglasses, a light, or even a POV camera attachment. And the Vaporfit system allows users to dial in the precise fit to make sure it stays snug on your head.

In terms of protection, the helmet features a proprietary cushioning material called Koroyd, which Smith says will absorb 30 percent more energy than traditional foam. That means it absorbs more of the impact instead of your head. Plus it can be recycled for future products after use. The helmet is designed for mountain riding and racing, and it’s priced at the upper-end of the products on the market. But if you’re a serious mountain biker who wants the best combination of protection and comfort, the Forefront is tough to beat.

$260, smithoptics.com