At a recent trip to Sun Valley, ID (courtesy of Smith Optics), I was able to try my hand at mountain biking on some of the best trails the ski resort town had to offer. It didn't go so well. Within minutes, I was thrown off my bike and onto the rocky trail from a particularly nasty embankment turn. But while I may not be single-tracking my way down a mountain again anytime soon, I was happy to have been able to test out what has become my new favorite bike helmet: the Smith Forefront ($220), a streamlined mountain biking and racing helmet that fits snugly and low on my head and feels as light as air. Whether I was bumping my way down gravely tracks or clumsily falling off my bike, my helmet stayed securely in place. It also has an adjustable visor and groove to hold your sunglasses when you don't need them. I can't wait to get back on the trails with this helmet again — but this time, it'll be on less steep (read: less terrifying) routes around the Bay Area.
— Leta Shy, associate editor
