Moshy Update: Dirt Road to the Quad Crown Black Pearl product update

We are following AMB contributor Ben Morrison through his journey and evolution from downhill weapon to cross country whippet, as he prepares to take on the Quad Crown Black Pearl. As part of his preparation, he’s testing out some new Smith products to use on his cross country debut.

Smith Optics have been around since 1965. Smith are a member of Greenspark – a social change initiative dedicated to sustainable practices. Given we ride outdoors in the environment, it’s great to see a big brand actively dedicated to addressing climate change with every order placed. They even make several glasses out of recycled plastic bottles!

Smith Optics Trace MIPS Helmet

For my Quad Crown Black Pearl adventure, I am using the Trace MIPS helmet using Koroyd. This looks like a honeycomb and surrounds the helmet to provide extra protection. It produces maximum ventilation by working with the internal air channels’ intake and exhaust ports. 

The Trace uses the AirEvac, a system that relieves the heat that builds up around your head to  prevent eyewear fogging. So far, I haven’t had an issue with this, so I have to say it works. I haven’t gotten hot either, so the added safety of Koroyd is definitely a plus without any side effects. Being a sunglass brand, Smith’s Trace allows easy and natural storage of your sunglasses. You can store them upside down in the front ‘road style’ or the out-of-sight out-of-mind across the back of the helmet. 

The Trace’s fit is nice and easy adjust with their VaporFit dial system and adjustable straps. At 280g, there are lighter helmets on the market, but some are getting to a point where they just don’t feel safe. The Koroyd system adds a few grams but allows Smith to open up large air vents without compromising on safety, resulting in an excellent helmet. 

Smith Vert and Wildcat

Smith has supplied us with two different styles of cycling-based glasses, both using their ChromaPop™ colour enhancement technology and even come with a spare clear lens.

The Vert feel like you have nothing on; as a frameless model they are so light as the arms connect directly to the lens itself. The set I have uses a violet mirror lens which is great for use in areas of medium to bright exposure, like you get on most trails that are surrounded by native trees and are not fully covered, like riding in a pine forest

Next up is the Wildcat; these have one of the biggest lens options in the Smith range and feature a semi-frame design that manages to do away with that bridge crossing the lens in between your eyes. They also use the same materials in the frames as found in Smith goggles, so they are nice and flexible to add to the comfort factor. The lens in these is their low light, high contrast copper base lens, which is perfect for heavy tree cover overcast days, and I have even used them in the dark for early morning rides as the sun pops up. 

The Hydrophobic lens coating is also really cool and makes sure moisture doesn’t build up on the lens and allows dust to settle on them. It also makes cleaning very easy. 

All in all, I have been impressed by both Smith’s helmets and glasses, and they’re making my preparation for the Quad Crown Black Pearl a breeze.