Still not wearing a ski helmet? What!?!? Oh, you think they are too heavy and bulky eh? Well, it’s time to change that with the new Smith Maze ultralight ski helmet. Introduced this season, the Maze is lightweight by design but is also properly certified to protect your noggin when you need it.
I first saw the Maze almost a year ago at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2009 and was impressed with the ultralight form factor of this lid. Since that time I’ve been able to try it out on the slopes and lightweight is only one of the many great features of this helmet.
Smith Maze Features:
- 11.5 oz and still ASTM F2040F and CE EN1077 certified
- 9 Vents
- AirEvac 2 ventilation maximizes goggle and helmet airflow to reduce fogging and control temperatures
- Airflow Climate Control
- Lightweight In-Mold construction
- Removable Goggle Lock
- Skullcandy Bluetooth and Twin-Tip Link phone/audio system available
- Snapfit Ear Pads
- Colors: Black Supernova, Chocolate Evolve, Grey Toque, Lago Pro Model, Matte Black (tested), Matte White, Neon Synth or White Twilight Zone
- MSRP: $100.00
Smith Maze Ski Helmet Review
First off, this helmet is very light, but just because it’s light doesn’t mean Smith skimped everywhere else. Yes, it does have a few compromises, but the overall package is solid–especially for the price. To achieve such a light weight he Maze utilizes “In-Mold” construction that’s similar to the fused hardshell designs used in high-end bike helmets. The result is the world’s lightest, yet still certified ski helmet at 11.5 oz.
Not only is the featherweight Maze helmet great for those who feel ski helmets are bulky or heavy, it’s also the perfect companion for backcountry skiing. I’ve strapped the Maze to my Osprey Kode 30 backpack on several backcountry tours and it’s hard to beat the weight-to-protection ratio afforded by the Maze.
Overall protection and comfort is superb. Luckily, I have yet to fully test the helmet’s crash-worthiness–I’ll trust Smith engineers there–however, the comfort of the helmet for my head shape is absolutely perfect. I experienced no pressure-points and the inner lining wicked moisture extremely well.
I actually tested the Maze with the Scott Fix goggles and the Smith I/O goggles. Both fit the helmet perfectly and provide full forehead coverage (e.g. no brain freeze). Ventilation is killer in the Maze, but keep in mind that there’s no way to close the vents, so on really cold days, it can let in a tad more cold air than I’d prefer.
Good Maze
- Ultralight is excellent for backcountry skiing
- Excellent pricepoint at $100
- Very comfortable
- The “no excuses” ski helmet for the ski helmet averse
Bad Maze
- No ability to close the vents when needed
- Limited fit adjustments
- Helmet clip allows goggles to slip
Bottom Line: Smith Maze Ski Helmet
Lightweight, comfortable and affordable… this helmet should get nay-sayers off the fence and wearing a lid on the slopes. I also appreciate how light and comfortable this lid is for backcountry skiing.
8 Comments
Thanks for both the initial blog about the Maze from O.R. as well as this review blog. Much appreciated.
Do you have a Maze or were you looking at one currently? That lid is super-light and totes well on the back of a pack on backcountry tours. I’m really liking it.
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Do all the pads come out if i wanted to wear a beanie underneath ?
Daniel… you guys and your beanie helmets. Cracks me up to see kids essentially setting a lid on top of their huge beanies expecting it to still provide the right protection. 🙂
That said, I’ll have to check it to see if the pads can be removed. I’m thinking no, but let me confirm.
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