Smith Ignite helmet and Trackstand cycling glasses | OMNI Bikeparts

Review | Smith Ignite helmet & Trackstand glasses

Advanced technology, optimised performance and clean style. That's Smith. Extra fun, we have now been able to test the Ignite helmet and Trackstand glasses. I am curious to see whether the helmet and glasses, in addition to the price and the looks, can also compete with the well-known brands on the technical level.

Ignite helmet with Koroyd

When I take the helmet out of the box, the first thing that strikes me is the term 'Koroyd'. This is partly due to the poison green colour, which contrasts with the matt black helmet. The helmet has a teardrop shape as seen in many aero helmets. At the front the helmet has four large ventilation holes, whereby the two holes in the middle are completely open. The ventilation holes on the sides of the helmet have the poison green Koroyd system. On the inside of the helmet you can see the green system continuing into the shell. The Koroyd looks like a large amount of straws stuck together. All info on the helmet can be found here.

The idea behind the use of Koroyd is that it forms a structure that is low in weight and better protected in the event of a fall. Because of the spaces in between, it has a ventilating effect and can absorb a blow better. It is a kind of crumple zone in your helmet. On top of the helmet there are two more holes, making a total of six holes through which air can enter. At the back there are four exits where warm air can flow out again. If you look at the helmet from the inside, you can see nicely how these holes connect to each other for good airflow.

Also with MIPS

The yellow sticker on the back already gave it away. The helmet has the MIPS system which is placed between the padding and the shell with the Koroyd straws. The padding has different thicknesses, depending on where in the helmet it is located. The straps of the helmet have a plastic triangle that falls under your ears. You can move these forward or backward so that the Smith Ignite fits comfortably on your head. This also applies to the retention system with which you can adjust the helmet to the circumference of your head. This retention system can be adjusted to three different heights.

Comfortable and compact helmet

Adjusting the helmet is simple and quick. The straps are immediately snug around my ears and by tightening the retention system the helmet sits well. The advantage of MIPS is the feeling that the helmet really fits around your head. The helmet fits nicely and the padding makes it comfortable. The helmet weighs 319 grams, which certainly does not make it a lightweight. The helmet feels compact and a look in the mirror confirms this feeling. I think the helmet, especially in combination with the glasses, looks very cool and fast. During the rides I made with the helmet, I notice quite quickly that I do not know which helmet I am wearing. It may sound a bit strange, but the helmet is very comfortable and doesn't stand out.

Between the shell and the Koroyd system there is some room for the glasses. The Smith Trackstand glasses can be slid in far enough so that they remain firmly in place. To get the glasses out again, you have to make some effort, at least more effort than I am used to in general. The ends of the legs remain stuck between the shell and the Koroyd, so you have to put just a little more force. The Smith glasses fit in the helmet, but other brands like Oakley, 100%, Rapha, Rudy Project and Lazer unfortunately can't slide into the Ignite helmet because the legs are a bit too thick. According to Smith, their other glasses with thin legs, such as the Trackstand, should be able to be used with it.

When riding, you can feel the wind entering the helmet from the front. The holes in the middle provide the most cooling. A small disadvantage is that sometimes a fly gets stuck between the shell and the MIPS system. The other cyclists in the group apparently did not suffer from this. The Koroyd system has an open structure, but it is logical that less air can enter than in a place where there is nothing at all. You notice this, but it is not annoying. I find it most important that the heat can escape and the holes at the back are big enough for that. No matter how good the ventilation is, you cannot escape the fact that you will sweat. The sweat is well absorbed by the padding and has no chance to leak along your forehead. During the test period, I was able to test this during a race and firm training sessions where it was around 16 degrees. No summer temperatures, but there was still some exertion whereby the sweat was well released.

Trackstand glasses

Together with the helmet, I tested the Trackstand glasses. The glasses were developed by Smith with a nod to the classic cycling glasses. They come with two lenses with ChromaPop. This ensures that colours are better filtered for a sharper and more natural vision. In addition, the lenses are polarising, with a ventilation slit at the top and have a coating that makes water slide off the lens. The standard lens is the Platinum, which has a mirror effect on the outside. You cannot see your eyes and it looks like a very dark lens. But this is not the case at all when you put the glasses on. Your vision becomes a little darker and you do not notice that you are looking through a lens. Even when you drive with it in woody areas or really go off-road, the lens looks nice and calm.

The second lens you get is the ChromaPop Contrast Rose lens, which is more suitable for dark and off-road conditions. You will notice that this lens is less pleasant to look at in bright sunlight, but it does provide a sharp and clear image. This lens is lighter in colour and has no mirror effect. Especially in the winter this is a fine lens to wear because the sun doesn't show itself very often. Changing the lens is done with a click system. It takes some getting used to, because you have to use the necessary force to click the lens out of the frame, which sometimes makes me fear that something will break off. Fortunately, this does not happen, but changing the lens remains a bit exciting.

The weight of the glasses is 28 grams and that is fine for cycling glasses. The weight, in combination with the pleasant looking lens, makes you forget that you are riding with glasses. The frame is on the narrow side, but because of the flexible legs it fits well. This flexibility also ensures that it does not pinch and sits well in your helmet. The end of the legs have rubber strips that keep the glasses in place. The nose wing is adjustable in two positions, so it also fits comfortably on your nose.

Conclusion

Comfortable! That is my first reaction about the helmet and glasses. Not long after you've left for your training, you don't feel like you're wearing a helmet and glasses anymore. The helmet offers a lot of safety with both Koroyd and MIPS. The adjustment is easy and together with the padding it gives a nice fit. In terms of weight, it could be a bit lighter, which would make it even more comfortable. Ventilation is fine, the wind blows through and keeps your head cool, while the padding absorbs the sweat well.

Like the helmet, the glasses are also comfortable and I am excited about the Platinium lens. The fact that it does not stand out makes it very pleasant and you have full and clear vision. Together with the helmet, it forms a cool whole and that is what the majority of cyclists, including me, are sensitive to. The way in which the glasses can be slid into the helmet unfortunately only works with the Smith Trackstand glasses, and in my opinion, this is a point for improvement. The Smith helmet and glasses may not be very well known, but they are certainly not inferior to the other better known brands. The price is in the top segment, but that's also where you'll find these products!

Justification:

This review was prepared by the editors of Racefietsblog and all rights are therefore vested in them.

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