Smith has a broad lineup of open-face and full-face helmets that are feature-packed with the latest safety tech and a focus on comfort. We’ve spent time in the popular Forefront 2 along with the Mainline full-face, both of which have had excellent ventilation and adjustability.
Here we delve into the details of the brand’s latest — and slightly cheaper release — the Payroll MIPS, an open-face lid for trail, enduro and e-MTB use.
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Smith Payroll MIPS
Key Details
- Price | $320 AUD
- Colour | Matte Black, Matte Trail Camo, Matte White Cement
- Sizes| Small (51-55cm), Medium (55-59cm), Large (59-63cm)
- Safety Tech | MIPS Liner, Koroyd Impact Protection
- Features | Front Eyewear Storage, Three Position Visor
- Weight | 376g (Size Small)
Safety Features
As with many of Smith’s helmet offerings, the Payroll, sees MIPS and Koroyd technology working in conjunction with an EPS foam construction. While it appears to be built from plastic straws from your favourite fast-food outlet, Koroyd claims to deliver lightweight energy-absorbing impact protection with superior ventilation compared to a traditional full EPS foam construction.
In reality, while Koroyd works well for radiative cooling, it limits airflow unless that air is flowing in exactly the direction that the straw is pointing. However, with the honeycomb material kept just to the sides of the head — which is the most likely point of an impact — the vents through the middle are left free and open.
With these generously sized ventilation ports and internal channels, the airflow through the Payroll is impressive.
Integrated into the Payroll is a MIPS rotational liner, which aims to reduce rotational forces on the brain under side impacts. This is very much an industry standard these days, albeit tailored to each helmet, and some are executed better than others. We found the liner to sit snug within the helmet and it added minimal bulk. Similar to the Forefront 2, the Payroll includes an integrated skeletal structure within the EPS foam construction, which Smith claims acts as a roll-cage improving strength to keep the helmet together should you have a cartwheeling hugie.
The Payroll is the first product in the brand’s lineup that is e-MTB certified, but what does that actually mean? As e-MTB’s become more and more common, products are tested and certified to the higher demands that come from the increase in weight and speed of these bikes. The NTA8776 standard was developed as a baseline for helmet design and testing, to certify helmets offering higher protection at increased speeds, and covering a larger portion of the head.
Comfort and Fit
The adjustability of the Payroll’s 270° VapourFit dial-based retention system has plenty of range. On the trail the fit was comfortable with no pressure points or discomfort, and the brand’s Ionic+ padding was comfortable and absorbed excess sweat well. Compared to the Forefront 2, the Payroll has a slightly wider silhouette and a more pronounced profile on the head.
A traditional buckle might seem a little less fancy compared to some of the magnetic options available. However, it is a tried and true system and never gave us any grief. The straps are made from lightweight webbing, and we’re happy to see Smith employ fixed splitters, as they are better in every way than their adjustable relatives.
The visor has three positions and leaves room for goggles underneath if that’s your jam. Smith has also designed the Koroyd-filled vents under the visor, along the brow specifically to integrate with Smith’s own glasses, allowing the rider to store their eyewear neatly on the helmet when not in use.
Flows Verdict
The Smith Payroll MIPS is an excellent addition to the brand’s lineup. It is feature-packed, employs plenty of technology designed to keep your brain safe in a crash, and looks pretty great to our eyes, too.
With its roots in eyewear, the way you can stow your sunnies in the front of the helmet and how easily they find their home when attempting the one-handed maneuver is dialled. The Koroyd construction is lightweight, and with its placement combined with sizable open vents, the Payroll delivers a breezy feeling on the trail, and the fit and adjustability are hard to fault.
When it comes to fit, on certain heads, it may appear slightly bulkier compared to the Forefront 2, but as with anything, it all comes down to personal preference and the shape of your melon.
At $320 AUD, there is no denying it sits amongst other top-tier lids such as the POC Kortal Race MIPS, the TLD A3 MIPS or the brand’s own Forefront 2. In comparison, the Payroll MIPS is $80 cheaper than the POC, $130 cheaper than the TLD and $55 cheaper than the Forefront 2. On the scales, the Payroll MIPS is lighter than all three — albeit in a smaller size — with more safety features compared to the POC or TLD lids.
All things considered, the Payroll MIPS stacks up as a good value proposition for those in the market for a tech-packed helmet that is light, comfortable, and, most importantly, safe.
