Expert Pick #04

Smith Forefront 2 MIPS.

Koroyd honeycomb crushes on impact for more efficient energy absorption than EPS, with extended rear coverage and goggle integration.

Smith Forefront 2 MIPS

The Verdict.

9.2/ 10

Gavler Meta-Score

Smith's Koroyd technology is genuinely different — the honeycomb liner absorbs energy more efficiently than foam, which translates to a thinner, cooler, better-ventilated helmet. The extended rear coverage and goggle garage make the Forefront 2 the ideal crossover helmet for riders who split time between XC trails and bike park laps.

The Gavler Verdict

Precision Engineering

Koroyd Honeycomb Liner

Co-polymer tubes crush progressively on impact, absorbing energy more efficiently than traditional EPS foam.

Extended Rear Coverage

Protects the occipital area at the base of the skull — critical for mountain bike crash protection.

Integrated Goggle Garage

Secure goggle storage at the rear for riders transitioning between goggled descents and un-goggled climbs.

Technical Specifications

LinerKoroyd honeycomb
ProtectionMIPS
CoverageExtended rear
Fit SystemVaporFit micro-adjust
Weight~380g (size M, MIPS)

The Scoreboard

Expert Consensus92%
Community Rating91%

Koroyd protection, fit, and the new central air channel receive strong praise. The honest trade-off reviewers flag: most of the 20 vents are still backed by Koroyd, so it runs warmer than open-vent helmets on long climbs.

Cast Your Vote

Do you think Smith Forefront 2 MIPS deserves the #4 spot in Best Cycling Helmets?

Best Price Availability.

Prices checked April 2026

Price History

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Global Critique

The first thing we noticed was the vastly increased airflow — with the new central air channel, the lid stayed much cooler, and fit was outstanding with no compression points or hot-spots.

Bike Perfect (Smith Forefront 2 helmet review)

CPSC and EN 1078 certification with a MIPS liner and the Koroyd layer all under 380 grams is a solid protection package, with coverage extending down the temple and around the back of the head.

BikeRadar (Smith Forefront 2 review)

Despite its generous 20 vents, 17 are still obstructed by the Koroyd — particularly noticeable on long uphill slogs — but the new central channel is a real improvement.

Bike Perfect (Smith Forefront 2 helmet review)