Smith Session and Aegis Echo II: Comfort and Functionality

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by Thomas Zermeno, PCI #1390T-B EMSCI #412T-B
Norman (OK) Police Department
IPMBA Education Coordinator

As part of setting the standards for safe operation of bicycles on duty, IPMBA has established requirements for personal protective equipment. Two of these are for the protection of the head and eyes: helmet and eyewear. So, it would only make sense to test products from a brand that offers both items; they complement each other while meeting the standards set forth by IPMBA.

It all started with me reading the IPMBA e-newsletter (as everyone should!) and seeing that product reviewers were wanted. As requested, I emailed Greg Bowen, the IPMBA Industry Liaison, to volunteer my services. He then put me in touch with a sales rep from Smith Optics, who informed me that he would send me a helmet and eyewear and that I had a couple of products from which to choose.

I made my selections and the products arrived shortly thereafter. The first thing that impressed me was that each of the products came with a handy manual that provided shelf life and other information for the helmet and proper cleaning for the eyewear to ensure that it remained anti-fog (yes, ANTI-FOG). The helmet is the Smith Session and the sunglasses are the Smith Aegis Echo II.

The Smith Session helmet utilizes Zonal Koroyd coverage, and is very lightweight and well-ventilated. It is equipped with MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System), which is a slip-plane technology designed to reduce rotational forces that moves inside the helmet. This “extra skeleton of protection” allows the helmet to slide in an impact, thus reducing trauma to the brain.

The helmet comes with a Smith brand helmet bag with microfiber on one side for rubbing down the helmet and mesh on the other side to allow for drying during storage. The light weight of helmet is deceiving, considering the looks and the size. On a side note, there are different sizes, not a “one size fits all”. The website has a good description of how to measure your head and make the correct size selection. I selected the matte black finish, which is a great choice for police cyclists who wish to remain stealthy. Other colors are available for those seeking a bit more flare. The helmet is designed to be worn in conjunction with the Smith glasses and aids with the anti-fog feature of the lenses. In fact, there are extra vents in the front of the helmet that enhance air flow to the lenses. They also vent the front of the face, which is a bonus. The helmet boasts a total of fifteen vents.

I decided to test the helmet in every possible environment I could be exposed to in the short amount of time I had for the evaluation. I wore it during my night shift patrols as the temperatures changed, during the rain in a basic school, and in the Texas heat during an Instructor Course. Even with the amount of wetness caused by humidity, temperature changes at night, rain, and sweat, the helmet performed well, keeping my head cool. It also dried out rather quickly. It was so lightweight that my head did not feel like I had been wearing a heavy burden during my many hours of riding. The helmet is very well-designed for both comfort and fit. Fortunately, I did not have the opportunity (or desire) to test it in a crash, but if it ever happens, I will definitely provide an update on the effectiveness!

Smith Aegis Echo II eyewear is equipped with an anti-fog and scratch-resistant coating on the lenses. The kit came complete with a hard case for protection, clear and gray lenses, band, microfiber cloth, and anti-fog cleaning cloth. The fit of the glasses is effective, as the ear pieces are thin and pliable, thus not pinching on the temples as other glasses have done. The glasses fit well with the helmet, without interfering with the straps. As mentioned earlier, the glasses are designed to work with the helmet, and the venting allows for adequate anti-fogging of the lenses.

Changing out the lenses from tinted to clear is very easy, and they snap in securely. There are easy to follow, step-by-step instructions in the manual. The manual also tells you how to blow onto the lens to demonstrate and test the anti-fog. It worked several times over, even with morning breath. In fact, I wore them while riding in the temperature change, rain, and heat as well. They did not fog during the temperature change or in the heat, and they wicked quickly in the rain without fogging.

I did some unintentional testing of the scratch resistance by dropping them several times; they stood up well to the tests. When I wore them on the shooting range during bike-specific firearms, they did not fog or make it difficult to see, despite the massive amount of sweat production caused by the Oklahoma heat coupled with the asphalt surface.

For the negatives of these products, I would say that the helmet strap loosened at times and I had to retighten it. Other than that, I enjoyed the overall fit, comfort, and function of the helmet. The only negative I had with the glasses are the shape. I prefer a sleeker style and these have a larger look. However, I was very impressed with the anti-fog properties and the snugness of the fit.

Information about pricing for public safety personnel should be directed to the manufacturer. On the website, http://www.smithoptics.com, the Session helmet is priced at $160 and the Aegis Echo II is priced at $90. Smith Optics is a member of the Product Purchase Program. They offer a 40% discount to IPMBA members when purchased through Willy Breen. Email Willy at willybreen@gmail.com in order to obtain the discount.

Thomas joined the Norman Police Department in 2009. He is currently assigned to night shift patrol and is the training coordinator and instructor for the bike team. He has been active with IPMBA since 2011, after taking the IPMBA Police Cyclist Course. He was certified as a PCI in 2013 at the Baton Rouge conference and cross-trained as an EMSCI in 2017. He became an Instructor Trainer in 2019, BRT certified in 2020 and BRT instructor certified in 2021. He currently serves on the IPMBA Board of Directors as the Education Coordinator. He can be reached at Thomas.Zermeno@yahoo.com.

Photo courtesy Thomas Zermeno.

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