Intro
“Safety first” has been burned into our brains from a young age. It’s a mantra that comes up everywhere, from driving your car, to making food, even to your workplace. Taking that extra little step of precaution is always worth it. Buckling your seatbelt, holding a knife correctly, or using three points of contact on a ladder. While mountain biking is an inherently risky thing, there are still ways to put safety first, and that’s exactly what POC tries to do. Their slogan is “Protected By Science”, and that common thread connects their lineup of helmets. Each POC helmet has an incredibly high degree of engineering, prioritizing safety without compromising on style; something that us vain mountain bikers struggle to look past.
POC is based in Stockholm, Sweden, and have been since they were founded in 2004. Since then, they’ve been dedicated to a science based approach to everything they make. That scientific methodology has led to POC producing industry leading protective gear year after year, and their current crop of helmets are their best yet.
Let’s check out exactly what sets each POC helmet apart, and who each helmet suits best.
POC Kortal Race MIPS
The Kortal helmet has been in POC’s lineup for a few years now, cementing itself as the most instantly recognizable lid from the brand. With full protection covering the back of your head, a smattering of vents all across its surface, and several sleek color options. While a helmet can be used for any kind of riding, the Kortal is designed for enduro riding. It’s got very full coverage across the back of the helmet, and the styling of how the visor meets the top of the helmet is in line with the current crop of enduro half shell helmets.
As the name implies, the Kortal Race MIPS uses the MIPS system, which is a rotational impact system that helps keep you safe during a glancing blow. MIPS has become an industry standard at this point, with the majority of high end helmets implementing it because of its proven track record. You’ll also find an EPS liner, which is the technical term for all the foam that makes up the structure of the helmet, and it’s what crushes on impact to protect your brain.
Its visor has three available positions, and is fully detachable. That way, it will break loose in a crash before torquing your head in a dangerous way. Along the back of the Kortal, there’s a dedicated goggle strap zone that will keep your goggles completely secure without blocking any vents. Those vents on the back also double as a glasses storage compartment, so you can choose between goggles and glasses without worrying about how they’ll work with your helmet.
The buckle uses a Fidlock design, which is much more convenient than a traditional buckle system without compromising on security. It’s a small thing, and it really doesn’t impact the performance of the helmet in any way, but once you own a helmet with the Fidlock system, you won’t want to go back. With a satisfying click into place and a simple release, it makes the helmet feel a touch more premium than your standard buckle.
POC Cularis
Quietly released a couple of years ago, the Cularis shot to the top of the Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings, immediately getting attention despite no media coverage. That’s certainly a way to make a statement, and while the Cularis has been passed by a few new helmets since then, it’s still objectively one of the most protective helmets available. Virginia Tech is the only third party helmet tester out there, and to earn a five star rating by their standards means something.
The Cularis is a trail oriented helmet, with a more sleek and subdued design than the larger Kortal. There’s less overall material in the Cularis helmet, and is a lightweight option designed for absolute comfort without sacrificing protection. For riders pedaling all day and want to save a couple of grams on their head, the Cularis is without a doubt your best option. Plenty of vents all around the helmet will give you plenty of air flow, and the vents in the front of the helmet double as glasses storage. The Cularis vent designs and location are actually inspired by road helmet technology, borrowing some of their ventilation strategies.
While the Cularis doesn’t specifically mention MIPS in the name, it does feature MIPS technology throughout the helmet, which plays a part in how the helmet received such a high score from Virginia Tech. To be more specific, it uses MIPS Air Node, which is a lighter version of MIPS designed for lighter weight helmets that want to retain full ventilation. It still serves the same purpose, and disconnects your head from rotational impacts just like the original MIPS system.
Just like the Kortal, the visor on the Cularis is adjustable and will also break away if you crash to keep you a little more safe. It’s also got the Fidlock buckle to give you that premium feeling.
For trail riders looking for comfort, airflow, and the best protection out there, the Cularis is the best helmet you can get. You could even pop the visor off if you’re going for the odd gravel or road ride and you want to look the part.
POC Axion Race MIPS
It’s no secret that the most premium mountain biking helmets are expensive, and the Axion is a much cheaper option that doesn’t skimp on protection. The Axion still adheres to POC’s Protected By Science guideline, and has served as a great value helmet for years now. Designed primarily for trail riding, the Axion prioritizes great air flow and a low weight while still providing great protection. From a distance, the Axion actually looks very similar to the Cularis, and unless you’re combing the POC catalogue in your free time, you could have a hard time telling the two helmets apart.
Even though it’s got a slightly lower price tag, the Axion still has MIPS technology to help dissipate rotational forces going through the helmet. It’s rare that MIPS is included in a helmet at this price point, so it’s pretty sweet to get that kind of technology for half the price of most helmets. It even has a breakaway visor and a Fidlock system, adding even more premium touches to this less expensive helmet. Like the other POC helmets, it also has the 360° fit system, which allows the dial at the back of the helmet to cinch around your head evenly as you tighten it, preventing hot spots and offering a more universal fit.
The Axion makes sense for a lot of riders out there, as the lower price doesn’t sacrifice much in terms of features. You still get the same POC design philosophy, some stylish color options, and enough ventilation for the hot summer months. I think the largest sacrifice is the lack of integrated glasses storage in the vents, although you may still be able to find a position that holds them well enough.
Conclusion
Here at The Lost Co, we don’t carry much in the way of protection or apparel, and we’re very particular about what we allocate our shelf space to. POC sets themselves apart from the competition with their science first approach to protection, and we really believe in what they have to offer. I use the Kortal helmet for everything from commuting to enduro racing, and also have a POC full face for the bike park. Give us a call or send us an email if you have any other questions about POC helmets or anything else mountain biking this summer!
Got questions? Feel free to shoot us an email or give us a call!
(360) 306-8827
sales@thelostco.com