If you’re looking for a new, stylish, wildly safe half shell lid, the Smith Payroll is worth a gander. Available in three sizes accommodating 51cm to 63cm domes, the Smith Payroll will keep all riders cool with its 19 fixed vents – a feature of the AirEvac ventilation system that does double duty for eyewear storage. Fit wise, the Y-strap divider keeps the helmet straps flat and close to your face making for a clean, comfortable set-up while riding.
Key Details of Smith Payroll Mips
- Model: Smith Payroll Mips
- Safety Tech: Mips & KOROYD impact protection
- Sizes: Small (51–55cm), Medium (55–59cm), Large (59–63cm)
- Weight: 380g (size small tested)
- Ventilation: 19 fixed vents with AirEvac channeling
- Fit System: VaporFit 270° adjustable dial
- Eyewear Compatibility: Glasses and goggle storage with 3-position visor
- Certifications: AS/NZS 2063 & NTA8776 (e-bike compliant)
- Best For: Trail, enduro, and e-MTB riders
- Price: $295 AUD
- Colours Available: Matte Black, Camo, White, Matte Black/Topo
- Stockist: smithopticsaustralia.com
This helmet is designed for enduro, trail and e-biking with wrap-around coverage to suit. The Payroll sits in the middle tier of Smith’s helmet offerings, between the Convoy and Forefront 2, in both head coverage and price point.
We trialled a small size helmet (51-55cm recommended), which came in fairly lightweight at 380g. Integrated into this light weight design are two notable helmet safety technologies: KOROYD and Mips. Mips – or Multi-directional Impact Protection System – is designed to rotate slightly around the head, reducing the forces transmitted to the brain in the event of an impact.
KOROYD impact protection has also been added to this model to absorb an impact through its honeycomb-like structure. If you’ve never had the luxury of riding with KOROYD technology before, it is fairly synonymous with Smith’s style and was originally developed from aerospace safety research – pretty cool!
Smith’s VaporFit system enables quick and easy 270-degree fit adjustment on the go with a single hand if you need a bit of reprieve on the ups, or confidence on the downs. The simplistic buckle was quick and easy as you would expect from any non-full-face helmet.
Overall, the helmet was very comfortable, and goes unnoticed while riding which is exactly what you want. The three-position visor fits both glasses and goggles, and features front eyewear storage channels so you can say goodbye mid-ride paranoia worrying about your glasses falling off the back of your helmet. If you’re pairing your helmet with eyewear, we also tested the Smith Defy sunglasses, a stylish, secure fitting option with ChromaPop clarity that complements the Payroll perfectly.
Whether you race cross country, rip on an e-bike or send it on the shuttle, this helmet fits the bill. It’s both NTA8776 e-bike and AS/NZS 2063 compliant so it will do its job to keep you safe, even when your ambition outstips your talent on the trail.
Pros
- Breathable
- Comfortable snug fit
- Glasses storage
Cons
- Sits slightly higher on the head than other models
- May require adaptor for helmet lights
