Smith Dispatch Helmet

The Smith Dispatch Helmet is a pricey but high-end, feature-packed commuter lid, featuring a relatively low weight, decent ventilation and a handy rear light. It also includes some enhancements to protection too, with both Mips for rotational force reduction and energy-absorbing Koroyd in key areas.

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> Buy now: Smith Dispatch Helmet for £159.99 from Smith Optics

At £160 the Dispatch MIPS is one of the most expensive commuter-style helmets we've seen, let alone reviewed on road.cc.

While it is pricey, it's also brimming with top tech. And it's a high-quality lid that feels substantial without being too heavy: 357g for a medium isn't that light up against a road helmet, but it's very decent for a commuter-specific lid, especially when you factor in the extra safety features that inevitably add weight.

It looks the part too, in a futuristic but understated way, and is available in three sizes and a wide range of colours, taking in Matte Poppy, Matte Amethyst, Matte White, Matte Black, and – as tested – Matte Slate.

A helmet's primary purpose is, of course, to protect your head, and this helmet scores very highly for its safety credentials, featuring both Mips and Koroyd. Mips is a layer inside the helmet designed to reduce rotational forces that affect your brain in the event of a crash. If you want to know more about Mips, check out our guide.

Koroyd is a breathable layer of welded tubes in key areas of the helmet that are designed to 'crumple instantly and consistently on impact, absorbing maximum force in a controlled manner, minimizing energy transferred to your head'.

It's fair to say the Dispatch MIPS is the kind of helmet that might give you a little more peace of mind on busy commutes. Indeed, the helmet has been well certified, meeting the European NTA-8776 e-bike certification and CE EN 1078 standard, the American CPSC and AS/NZS263 covering Australia and New Zealand.

When I checked the Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings site the Dispatch MIPS wasn't listed, probably because it's so new and hasn't yet been tested. Notably, the Smith Route MIPS helmet, which also features both Mips and Koroyd, achieved a five-star rating, so there's a fairly good chance the Dispatch MIPS would score highly too.

The shell features eight vents which, although not designed to channel air through it like a road lid's vents, is enough for commutes – even my fast-paced and sweaty 16-mile effort. The Koroyd layer doesn't seem to inhibit airflow in any way that I can discern.

The upper rear vents allow you to easily attach the included rear LED, which adds about 25g to the helmet's weight.

The light is very wide, and its six LEDs do a good job of increasing your visibility from behind. You can choose from constant, slow flash and fast flash modes and while not the brightest light, it would make a good addition to your overall illumination. It's rechargeable, though it's a little surprising to see a decidedly old-school Micro USB cable.

The Microbrim Visor gives you a small amount of protection from sun and rain. Its underside features two small vents that are part of Smith's AirEvac system, which is designed to reduce how much your glasses fog up. And I think it's effective too, as I noticed less moisture build-up on my specs, even on colder days.

In terms of fit, the Dispatch MIPS features VaporFit, a simple dial adjustment that allows you to easily tighten or loosen the helmet at the back.

At the front, the magnetic Fidlock strap buckle makes it quick and easy to connect and disconnect using just one hand. My only gripe is that the strap has a habit of resetting itself when not in use, so you have to adjust the fit when you next wear it.

Looking at the inside of the helmet, you can tell Smith has aimed this at those with more oval head shapes. I have a long, oval-shaped head and the helmet fitted me comfortably without any obvious hot spots. Our medium-size test helmet was a perfect fit, requiring very little adjustment to get it just right. With some brands I'm at the lower end of medium, which can require more adjusting to achieve a snug fit. While the helmet does initially feel bulky when you start off, when you're riding you soon forget it's there – which is exactly what you want from a helmet

Value

The lid's £160 cost is a pretty decent investment – though you could argue that you can't put a price on safety, and the Smith Dispatch MIPS has a lot of safety tech built in. The rear light is a bonus, the Fidlock strap buckle is a nice-to-have and it's a high-quality, good-looking helmet too.

The Kask Moebius is over £70 cheaper than the Dispatch MIPS and also features a rear LED. It doesn't have the high-end safety enhancements such as Mips or Koroyd, and Tom found it pretty heavy and the ventilation limited.

The Met Mobilite MIPS Helmet that Matt reviewed does feature MIPS, and is £60 cheaper. It also features a rear LED, though unlike the Smith's it's not rechargeable. Also unlike the Smith, it doesn't pass the NTA 87767 e-bike standard – and I personally think it's quite a plain-looking lid.

Conclusion

A high-quality lid with lots of added safety tech and some neat touches. Yes, it's expensive, but year-round commuters will appreciate all the benefits the price tag brings.

Verdict

Splash the cash and you'll be rewarded with one of the best commuter helmets around