Let me count the ways my Smith Variant sucks

[PowTron]

I love the helmet, but My Variant brim right ear flap ALSO falls out all the time, AND the vent nobs that stick up...both of them SNAPPED off last weekend when I was trying to open them...it was only 25 degrees.

I know Smith will warranty it, but I want to wait until after the season, otherwise I have no helmet...

Or let me say they BETTER warranty it...

[hartzejr]

love my variant brim except for one problem, on cold days the vent slider jams and won't open or if already open won't close. Anyone else having this problem?

When I got mine for x-mas, one of the vents wouldn't, and still won't, open. It hasn't been an issue yet though. Might warranty it at the end of the year.

Other than that, I love it. When I got it, I hadn't worn a helmet since my HS racing days. I first wore it in UT back in January and I am yet to wear anything but to this day. It's super comfortable and I don't have any of the other issues people are seeming to have. No back-o-head adjuster issues, ear flaps are comfy, etc.

But sounds like Smith is standing behind their product and replacing as necessary. Props to Smith there!

[Platinum Pete]

I'm glad to hear all this feedback. This is definitely the best looking helmet out now and fits my dome nicest. Need to get my size back in stock and my order is in.

[Choucas]

I absolutely love mine. I've had none of the problems mentioned above. Warm, comfortable, not dorky looking (the helmet, not me). It does not suck. I did discover today that one of the little tabs that you push to open the vent is missing. I don't recall tipping over, but I have taken a few low branches to the head. Must have sheared it off in the woods somewhere along the way.

[SkiFreak85353]

Yeah my brain bucket is killer...only downer is the one side of the ratchet dealio in the back doesnt function...plan on sending it in for warranty after the season. I have the prodigy goggles and am not totally sure how I feel about them...they are sweet, but big. All around, killer set up. Thank you Smith!

[PowTron]

I absolutely love mine. I've had none of the problems mentioned above. Warm, comfortable, not dorky looking (the helmet, not me). It does not suck. I did discover today that one of the little tabs that you push to open the vent is missing. I don't recall tipping over, but I have taken a few low branches to the head. Must have sheared it off in the woods somewhere along the way.

No, that is how BOTH of mine, and my friends, and yours, and some others on here got broken off...with our hands...not trees...I was on the lift at Vail two weeks ago, opened my vent with my hand, and the nob flew off and hit my buddy in the face. They need to warranty these for sure...

[~mikey b]

(An Un-named Shop) in Vail replaced my helmet with broken vent sliders no questions asked today. I asked about warranty replacement, and the guy told me he'd send it to Smith - 2 weeks turnaround. I told him I couldn't be without a helmet for 2 weeks and that Smith suggested I go to a local dealer and ask if they could handle it in-house. "No problem, man. What color do you want?" Nice to see a dealer do that.

Name of shop withheld only to prevent a silly run on warranty claims. These guys helped me out and I don't want a buncha kooks running in saying they heard on TGR that they can get a free new helmet...blah blah blah. PM me if you really need to know.

[pault]

Im using the Variant Brim and Prodigy combo. Really happy with it, Worn it every day since I got it November 1st.

[Lee Murian]

I like my varient brim, but the visor just snapped off. Is there a way to fix/replace it so I don't look like such a kook?

It looks like the tab broke right in front under the Smth S

I know someone else has had this happen as well, it seems pretty vulnerable to snapage??

[HankScorpio]

3 seasons strong, love my Varient Brim. Zero problems.

Smith does have a great warranty dept. Why not bitch to them and get something accomplished?

[axebiker]

Mine was nice enough, but I wasn't crazy about the fit. Sold it here, and picked up two Berns on closeout from Evo. Love the HardHats - not looking back!

[bl2000]

^^^I bought axe's and it fits and works great. (Thanks, man.)

But I also have one I bought on-line with problems. First, the earflaps pop out because the, umh, "female" end that catches the earflap doesn't hold the, umh, male end. The same thing happens with skullcandy flaps I inerted.

Second, the thingies that control the vents definitely get stuck in the cold like others reported. I'd spray some lubricant in but concerned it may affect the plastic and hurt the protection factor.

Oh, and 3rd, the advertised helmet-goggle "integration" sucks. The IO's don't stay on the helmet. If you push them up so they straddle the brim or go above the brim, the slightest motion causes them to sproing up and back. I had to add some rubbery pieces to the top of the helmet to create a catch, and also dremel'd down the ends of the brim so the goggles wrap around it. I will say the goggles don't fog up much and clear pretty fast when they do.

[bptempleton]

Mine rocks titties, and I got it brand new for under $80. Can't complain.

[highangle]

some of us have 'hard to fit' heads

[Dr.Evil]

Reverend,

Does Smith have a crash replacement policy? Last year I crashed hard and suffered a minor concussion, I could not find any on Smith's website and my emails to Smith Canada went unanswered. In the end I bought a Giro G10 off Tramdock last spring but wouldn't mind getting another Variant.

[legallyillegal]

Ask a local Smith shop; I believe it was 50% off within 3 years.

[DHogg]

Does anyone know if electric EG2's fit with the variant?

[dynodonkeyaltabird]

eg2s fit great. i like the holt helmet better though, less gizmos that seem prone to breaking, but still comfortable and fit seems to be the same. fwiw i started with a variant and exchange it for the holt.

[DHogg]

^Awesome thanks dyno, i have a holt now but thinking of getting a variant too. I don't have the earpieces for my holt anymore so i need a beanie under it.

[klauss]

Just purchased the holt to replace a 10+ year old boeri in attached picture. Smith helmets look the best in my opinion. Wanted the:
1. variant - for ventilation, but slider pieces, available colors at my shop, and price, made me hesitate.
2. maze - but that would mean the wife and I would have matching helmets

ended up with the holt as the large fit well.

I do sweat balls when skiing 98% of the time all the time. Usually went w/o a helmet because of it. Second pic is kind of crappy, but me doing things I shouldn't be doing sans bucket. I am committed to the bucket now though.

Anyone had experience with the holt ventilation versus others? The variant had many more vents up top and the maze even had better looking air channels on the interior. Anything will probably be better than what I have now though.