Smith makes a lot of mountain bike helmet models (9 by my rough count) with small variations in feature sets and intended use cases. But the story with the new Pilot is simple: it’s the brand’s most affordable helmet, designed to get your head protected without breaking the bank. Smith says it’s meant for “emerging” riders who are just trying to get kitted out with gear that works well but might not come with as many fancy features and buzz words as higher-end models.

I’ve spent a bunch of time in more expensive Smith helmets over the years, including most recently, the Forefront 3 and Hardline I reviewed for Freehub. So I was excited to see how the Pilot stacked up against a helmet that costs literally three times as much.

Smith Pilot Overview

• Sizes Available: XS-XL - 48-65 cm head circumference
• Features: Fixed visor, Mips Evolve Core liner, 13 vents
• Weight: 366 g (size medium)
• Price: $95

Smith Pilot Fit 

I’ve got a mostly oval head that’s 57 centimeters in circumference. I have been wearing size medium Smith helmets for almost two decades now, and they tend to fit me quite well. I fall on the medium/large break in Smith’s size chart, so I went with medium. The Pilot fits a little smaller than other Smith helmets I’ve used though. I fit in it, but barely. The liner is stamped “S/M”, which makes me think that Smith is sharing components between sizes to reduce the price. 

That slightly smaller fit, plus the Pilot’s shape, which has less rear coverage than helmets like the Forefront 3, means that it feels like I’m wearing it’s sitting a little more “on” my head versus my head fitting “in” it. It’s not a bad sensation, but worth noting. I also found that the chin strap on the Pilot is on the shorter side. With it adjusted all the way out, it’s still just a touch tighter than I’d like. That means that I’d recommend sizing up with the Pilot if you’re between sizes, since it feels like it’s biased just a little smaller than other Smith helmets.

The adjustable dial system on the back of the helmet works well, and is adjustable vertically to get the harness situated just right. Although the rest of the helmet fits a little small, I’m not anywhere close to maxing out the adjustment. It’s not quite as smooth and refined as more premium helmets, but it absolutely does the job. In fact, the main theme of this review is that the Pilot’s feature set is right in line with more expensive helmets from just a few years ago.

Smith Pilot Features

Because the Pilot is a more budget helmet, it’s not the most feature-rich option. Its visor is fixed, and can’t be adjusted, but I found the default position to work well. It uses the Mips Evolve Core liner, which is a little more bulky and creaky than some of the brand’s newer options. And its 13 vents move air adequately, but don’t create the barely-there sensation of more expensive helmets.

On paper, this feature set feels thinner than in reality. The end result doesn’t feel under-gunned, instead it’s a situation of “everything you need and nothing that you don’t.” Are Fidlock buckles and BOA adjustment systems nice? Yes, for sure. But they don’t make me better at riding bikes, and they don’t really change much about the helmet’s primary job of protecting my brain.

Smith Pilot Performance

Riding in the Pilot is anticlimactic in a good way. It feels like a helmet. I’d go so far as to say that it feels like “nice” helmets used to feel just a couple of years ago. No, it’s not the most breathable, but there’s enough airflow to keep my sweaty head happy on most rides. Yes, the Mips liner creaks a little bit once it gets dusty, but it’s not overly distracting. The Pilot does a good enough job of disappearing that I can focus on making sure I ride my bike well enough not to test its crash-absorption capabilities, and that’s all I can ask for.

If I was just getting into mountain biking, or on a budget, I wouldn’t hesitate to grab a Pilot and never think about it again. It’s more than enough helmet for trail riding, and the price makes it extremely attractive.

For Now

It’s great to see brands like Smith release products explicitly aimed at the beginner and more affordable market, and it’s especially important with safety gear such as helmets. Any way we can lower the barrier of entry to protecting your head is worth pursuing, and the Pilot does a great job of delivering solid performance with a palatable price.

Learn more: Smith