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SMITH X VSSL
PROJECT OVERVIEW:
PROTECTED, PREPARED & PRESENT
PROJECT TYPE:
CREATIVE DIRECTION & PRODUCT DESIGN
In collaboration with VSSL, Smith set out to equip backcountry explorers with two essentials: safety you can pack and protection you can trust. Together, the Summit Helmet and VSSL Backcountry Supplies Kit form a compact, reliable system designed for the unpredictable nature of the mountains.
We began with the Summit Helmet, Smith’s triple-certified touring and mountaineering lid. Built for long approaches, steep boot packs, and summit pushes, it balances ultra-light construction with full-scale protection. Koroyd and Mips impact technologies manage energy on every hit, while the flexible BOA fit system collapses flat in your pack. Integrated headlamp routing and 33 fixed vents keep the system adaptable from dawn patrol to descent.
Paired with the VSSL Backcountry Supplies Kit, a waterproof aluminum tube loaded with first aid, fire starter, repair tools, a ski strap, a wire saw, and an integrated LED, it becomes more than just equipment. Compact, organized, and purpose-built, it is readiness in its purest form.
Together, the kit and helmet deliver a streamlined approach to alpine safety. Gear that keeps you protected, keeps you moving, and keeps your focus on the climb ahead.
field
Tests
ARE OUR
FRIENDS
~ BUILDING SPACE FOR ITERATIVE TESTS & REFINEMENT ~




Great products are not proven in studios or conference rooms. They are proven in the environments they are meant to live in. In-field testing validates design decisions under real conditions, where distractions, fatigue, weather, motion, and time pressure shape how products are actually used. This is where assumptions break down and meaningful insight begins. Field testing reveals what controlled environments cannot. Grip changes with cold hands, interfaces behave differently when attention is divided, and small details around access, storage, and orientation suddenly matter a great deal. These realities are rarely uncovered through interviews or lab testing alone. They are discovered by observing real people using real products in real situations. Adoption is shaped by these moments. Products fail not because users lack understanding, but because friction quietly erodes confidence. In-field testing exposes where effort is too high, where complexity causes hesitation, and where simplicity builds trust. It helps teams design products that fit naturally into routines rather than demanding behavior change. Ultimately, brand credibility is earned through performance. A single failure in the field can outweigh years of marketing, while consistent reliability builds loyalty without explanation. In-field testing aligns product behavior with brand promise, reduces risk, and ensures the work holds up when it matters most.


























