These days, we know that you just don’t mess with the brain. Over time, brutal hits can cause serious damage, as we’ve seen with former NFL stars, and even action sports icons like Dave Mirra, who doctors found to have CTE after his death earlier this year.
Admittedly, helmets can be all sorts of weird looking. That’s why Smith’s Maze helmet is rather perfect for humbly protecting your most important asset. Simply designed with ventilation in all the right places and available in mostly solid colors (there’s a camo version that’s pretty classic), the Maze is paired down to the things you need: namely protection. Built with a super light-weight, molded construction, this thing is easy to adjust to your individually-shaped noggin, features warm, “Snapfit” earpads, and can be fitted for use with your favorite music system.
For me, it’s about two things: first, the shape is simple and underspoken—get any color other than orange and you can be fairly non-descript (just let your riding do the talking). Second, the light weight: it doesn’t add lbs. to a pack when you’re hoofin’ up hill and doesn’t make your head feel like a pendulum when you’re wearing it.
Paired with a goggle like the Squad, below, with a throwback design and Smith’s cylindrical carbonic lenses (translation: they’re sweet dude), and you have an easy-wearin’ combo for the resort, or the backcountry.
You’re welcome.
