The women's specific Smith Mirage is a no frills helmet, perfect for days of cruising the groomers. Counterpart to the men's Mission helmet, it has a lightweight, in-mould construction and does what it says on the tin.
At 450g it's light enough so as not to put too much strain on your baggage allowance and also feels light as a feather on your head. A dial adjuster helps to get the perfect fit - no complaints here in regards to comfort!
There are adjustable vents on the top of the helmet for climate control, but the ones on the sides can't be closed. Worth keeping in mind of you're heading out in a blizzard.
The fleece liner does a good job of keeping heads warm out on the mountain, but could be a little thicker around the forehead for extra cushioning. The whole liner is also easily removable to allow for cleaning and adjusting.
The ear pads are nicely cushioned and didn't put any undue pressure on our ears while wearing. Plus they are removable (if you can work out how) so they too can be refreshed between seasons.
The chinstrap is comfortable and is positioned well with a removable fabric sleeve. We liked that the sleeve is secured with a non-abrasive Velcro so as not to irritate the skin under our neck, but securing it after having adjusted the strap can be a bit fiddly.
Looks wise, the Mirage is understated but attractive and comes in a variety of colours from the 'matte pearl black' which we tested (a black finish with a hint of shimmer), to the more unusual 'matte Champagne' which is a kind of rose gold. We liked the black as it's easy to pair with any other ski gear, but this might not be the helmet for those looking for the truly garish.
Overall, the Mirage is a decent helmet, if a little low on features. However, you can up your tech-rating with a MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) version, offering even more protection for £129, and you can also integrate the Outdoor Tech audio system if you like to stay connected and listen to some tunes on the mountain.
