One thousand Canadian skiers and boarders should check their lid before heading out for their first turns of the year.
This week Smith Optics announced a voluntary recall on its Quantum helmet. The Clearfield, Utah, based mountain bike and snow sport sunglass, goggle and helmet maker requests all owners return the helmet for repair.
About 7,000 of the helmets were sold since fall of 2016 in North America – about 1,000 of those in Canada. No injuries were reported, says the company, but the chin retention strap buckle on the Quantum “can disengage, posing a risk of head injury,” stated the recall notice posted on Smith’s site
The Quantum uses Smith’s Wayfinder Strap System featuring Fidlock. With magnets on both ends of the strap the helmet almost does itself up. With a bit of practice it’s easy to clip together with one hand. The Quantum also used Smith’s Aerocore construction, hexagon shaped tubes stacked together to create an exoskeleton that’s strong, energy absorbing and breathable.
The recall sub-site includes descriptions and pictures to help identify helmets under recall. Owners can fill out a free return form on the company’s website
RYAN REPORT is a frequent web post by Ski Canada magazine’s technical editor, Ryan Stuart.