Smith Snow Helmets F/W 2026/27 Preview

Retail Buyers Guide: Snow Helmets F/W 2026/27 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Brand: Smith
Interviewee: Grady Skelton – Global Snow Marketing Manager, Kevin Wonnacott – Global Snow Category Manager

Which products sold best in the winter 2024/25 and why?
Vantage Helmet: A pinnacle offering in our helmet line, the Vantage has always provided the most technology and protection for the value. Our consumers get every bit of tech we offer while hanging onto great styling, venting and colorways.
Method & Method Pro Helmet: Our flagship freestyle helmet comes in two price points with pro and non-pro. The Method Pro is packed with all our core tech and sits at the top of the line for freestyle.
Rodeo Helmet:
With retro styling and larger ventilation, the Rodeo hit well with our core demographic and younger consumers, catering to the park kids while also providing the protection needed for all-mountain.

Which of your 2025/2026 helmets do you expect to perform best at retail and why?
Vantage 2 Mips Helmet: Improving upon the best-selling snow helmet in the market with improved impact protection and best-level tuned venting. The Vantage 2 has been redesigned to match current on hill styling for every all-mountain rider.
Descend Mips Helmet: Accessibly priced, feature-rich, and global appeal
Rodeo Mips Helmet: We expect to see another great year with our Rodeo helmet options. Updated colors and the same timeless design continues to cement the Rodeo in the freestyle and free ride category.

Are there any observable trends in the practice of snowboarding that impact product demand and development?
Impact Technology – Koroyd & MIPS: Helmet impact and lifesaving technology continue to be at the forefront of our consumers’ buying habits. Our wide-ranging Koroyd and MIPS technology offering in the SMITH helmet line provides best-in-class impact protection and peace of mind for riders of all skill levels.
Ultimate Integration: We continue to see that every rider at all skill levels is seeking a seamless fit between their goggle and helmet. There is a need and desire from our snowboard consumers to have a goggle that not only fits well with their helmet but provides accurate airflow through the helmet and into the goggles to keep them properly ventilated.
Venting and Weight: We hear a lot about the weight of helmets and our consumers needing a helmet that fits so well that they don’t realize they are wearing one in the first place. With proper venting to keep the rider’s temperature at a consistent level, and the use of Koroyd to give protection without sacrificing weight, our snowboard customers are continuing to come to SMITH for helmets that are lightweight and durable.

What are the design and material highlights of your 2026/27 collection?
ReNU: High Performance. Lower impact. Committed gear, made with Recycled, Natural and Undyed materials.
Expanded color and material palette: Leaning into new colors, materials, finishes and graphics for the 26/27 season within specific capsules to appeal to all snowboard consumers

What colors and designs are you featuring in your 2026/27 collection? Any standout collaborations?

Athlete Collection (Matej and Iris)
Warm Steel
Morning Fog
Cirrus Gray

Which product do you expect to grow the most in your 2026/2027 collection?

Rodeo Helmets
Method & Method Pro Helmets

How are you implementing sustainability in your products and production processes?
ReNU Collection: Committed gear, made with Recycled, Natural and Undyed materials. Expanding the use of recycled materials in ABS, PC, EPS, linings and soft goods.

What are your marketing stories for 2026/27?

ReNU
Ultimate Integration
Tech Highlights: (Koroyd, Mips, BOA Fit System)

How are you supporting retailers to sell this category?

Rep Clinics to educate Staff
Training platforms with Educational videos and courses on product for staff
POP visuals and in-store video assets
Product Display units and glorifiers

Key Products:
Vantage 2 will continue to hold the torch for SMITH as the go-to helmet for any condition, in an all-mountain silhouette. We’re also introducing an accessibly priced model called Cache, which merges freestyle styling up front and an alpine look on the back. The Method and Method Pro helmets will also continue their rein as the most premier freestyle helmet on the market.

Cache:

SMITH_Cache Helmet

Vantage 2:

Smith Vantage 2