Red Trace - Snowboarding Forum

jmacphee9 · 02-23-2009, 01:40 PM

ok this review will not be too long, because i didnt have the 2 helmets long enough to give a full review.

my first red trace broke after a really bad fall, some of you may remember the thread. it was about the 4th or 5th time i used it and it cracked all the way up to the top. i was 100% safe though, my head didnt even hurt! so i figured it was just a helmet doing its job. i was going on a trip the next weekend and i needed a helmet so i grabbed RED Trace #2.
this time i used it about 4 times and took a soft fall, and landed on the back of my head rather softly. i was doing a 180 over a 2 footer going slow and i didnt even catch an edge, i just kind of tumbled...
i loved the fit, but now im thinking it is a manufacturer problem. because of the removable goggle strap, there is a cut out in a piece of foam that seems to cause the foam to flex there and then the plastic to crack.

i returned helmet #2 to sports authority where i bought it, #1 i purchased in canada and burton will not replace it, just give me a new one for 50%, which isnt bad i guess but still i think with 2 helmets its an issue, my second fall was definetly not worth a helmet cracking, my head could of hit the ground and i would of been fine..

so take that info for what its worth, im ordering a smith holt right now.

Technine Icon · 02-23-2009, 01:47 PM

I've had my RED Trace for about 2 years now and have taken a bunch of hard falls and haven't had any problems so far. This helmet really isn't that bad, but I can defenitly understand your reasoning behind buying a Smith Holt instead.

jmacphee9 · 02-23-2009, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Technine Icon

I've had my RED Trace for about 2 years now and have taken a bunch of hard falls and haven't had any problems so far. This helmet really isn't that bad, but I can defenitly understand your reasoning behind buying a Smith Holt instead.

i honestly loved the helmet, but i really do think there is a design flaw. does yours have the removable clip? that slit where it slides into is where both of mine cracked..

Technine Icon · 02-23-2009, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmacphee9

i honestly loved the helmet, but i really do think there is a design flaw. does yours have the removable clip? that slit where it slides into is where both of mine cracked..

Yeah. I used to wear my goggles on the outside, until one day I took a bad fall and the clip came off. That's the reason that I wear my goggles underneath now. I did see that gap between the helmet and foam and never really thought about it, but would agree that it is a design flaw. I also read the manual and the funny thing is that that clip is also a bottle opener.

jmacphee9 · 02-23-2009, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Technine Icon

Yeah. I used to wear my goggles on the outside, until one day I took a bad fall and the clip came off. That's the reason that I wear my goggles underneath now. I did see that gap between the helmet and foam and never really thought about it, but would agree that it is a design flaw. I also read the manual and the funny thing is that that clip is also a bottle opener.

yea ive used many of times on trips lol..

Technine Icon · 02-23-2009, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmacphee9

yea ive used many of times on trips lol..

Lol. Damn, now I wish I hadn't lost mine on the mountain. By the way, could u give me review of the Smith Holt when u get it. I was thinkin about getting a new helmet because I think my Trace is getting pretty beat up.

kri$han · 02-23-2009, 02:19 PM

good to know.

I have a R.E.D. skycap and have nothing but good things to say about it... its getting beat up and I should get another, but there's SO many helmets out there that look terrible...

UncleRico · 02-23-2009, 03:52 PM

I have a Smith Holt and I love it. It's comfortable after hours of riding and has special vents to direct air towards your top goggle vents. Has minimal holes around the shell, but I've never had a problem with sweat or heat issues. It also looks damn good.

02-23-2009, 01:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
jmacphee9 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Detroit Posts: 2,335	Red Trace ok this review will not be too long, because i didnt have the 2 helmets long enough to give a full review. my first red trace broke after a really bad fall, some of you may remember the thread. it was about the 4th or 5th time i used it and it cracked all the way up to the top. i was 100% safe though, my head didnt even hurt! so i figured it was just a helmet doing its job. i was going on a trip the next weekend and i needed a helmet so i grabbed RED Trace #2. this time i used it about 4 times and took a soft fall, and landed on the back of my head rather softly. i was doing a 180 over a 2 footer going slow and i didnt even catch an edge, i just kind of tumbled... i loved the fit, but now im thinking it is a manufacturer problem. because of the removable goggle strap, there is a cut out in a piece of foam that seems to cause the foam to flex there and then the plastic to crack. i returned helmet #2 to sports authority where i bought it, #1 i purchased in canada and burton will not replace it, just give me a new one for 50%, which isnt bad i guess but still i think with 2 helmets its an issue, my second fall was definetly not worth a helmet cracking, my head could of hit the ground and i would of been fine.. so take that info for what its worth, im ordering a smith holt right now. __________________ Lib Tech Skate banana Flow NXT-FS Nike kaiju Burton [ak] 2l Cyclic Jacket Holden Northfield 3L pants

02-23-2009, 02:19 PM	#7 (permalink)
kri$han -LIFETIME MEMBER- Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 1,486	good to know. I have a R.E.D. skycap and have nothing but good things to say about it... its getting beat up and I should get another, but there's SO many helmets out there that look terrible... __________________ Official 'Eh' Team representative Kris Toronto Prelude Club

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

02-23-2009, 01:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
Technine Icon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: CT Posts: 1,252	I've had my RED Trace for about 2 years now and have taken a bunch of hard falls and haven't had any problems so far. This helmet really isn't that bad, but I can defenitly understand your reasoning behind buying a Smith Holt instead.

02-23-2009, 03:52 PM	#8 (permalink)
UncleRico Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 103	I have a Smith Holt and I love it. It's comfortable after hours of riding and has special vents to direct air towards your top goggle vents. Has minimal holes around the shell, but I've never had a problem with sweat or heat issues. It also looks damn good.