SEVEN DAY CYCLIST
CYCLING, BUT NOT USUALLY RACING

Specification

Fundamentals; there’s a fully wrapped shell with an EPS inner with rotational protection through the MIPS system. Nothing especially unusual there, but all very good so far. The cradle and adjuster are designed to be lightweight – and it certainly looks like it – but strong and effective. The pads are mounted on a removable plastic strip. This can be removed, attached as it is to the cradle with familiar Velcro patches. The straps are fully adjustable, too, and looped through buckles that add a nice tactile touch. They are secured with a click-release buckle.

 

There are some nice touches, but the most striking thing is the deep channels and the shape and positioning of the vents. True, this isn’t necessarily unique at this kind of price point, but it does support POC’s big claim that this is a really cool helmet, ideal for hot weather and hilly rides, and, presumably, those when one is going flat out with no regard to temperature control. They also emphasise the weight; great for weight-weenies or for folk who churn away all day. Aerodynamics are enhanced, say POC, by directing air through the helmet rather than around it, which enhances ventilation at the same time. Apparently, air turbulence around the helmet and air being expelled through the rear is dealt with by a 22-degrees trailing edge.

 

All this is achieved through POC's Whole Helmet Concept, which considers all aspects of a helmet in relation to one another. A final addition is an “eye garage” to enable easy storage of eyewear on the go. Fundamentally, this allows your glasses to be hooked into the vents. This applies to specialist cycling glasses or those with similar arms, not my old day-to-day prescription frames.

 

Size and fit 5/5

There are three sizes. Needless to say, I went for large. I have a big head. I have to say, on opening the box, I couldn’t help thinking that the large looked on the smaller side. This could be because I have been wearing the Unit 1 Neon MIPS helmet, a thorough-going commuter model, which struck me as looking on the very large side. I was, of course, wrong. The large POC Ventral was a perfect fit, sitting low enough over the forehead to feel comfortable. The cradle adjusted beautifully, distributing pressure evenly without any ‘hot spots.’ Looking, wrongly, at first sight to be fragile, the cradle is actually were supple and the pads on their plastic strip prevent one feeling that the helmet is sitting right on the head.

To summarise; follow the guide. Your bonce should find this a comfortable companion.

 

Care and durability 3.5/5

 We don’t do destructive testing, and I have tried, successfully, to avoid contact with masonry of low bridges and overhanging branches brought low by some recent high winds. I haven’t been able to find the POC Ventral MIPS on the list at Virginia Tech Testing, but other POC helmets have five-star ratings, and the Ventral meets all appropriate standards. That’s sufficient, for me, to think this will do the protective job, which is, in my opinion, the prime function of a helmet: to give my head a decent chance of survival if things go pear-shaped all of a sudden.

 

Helmets do need care, but be careful. There are proprietary potions for cleaning both outside and inside. Be careful, and test on a patch where the sun doesn’t shine before going the whole hog. You’ll get a long way with water, but be cautious before adding even regular detergents; they may damage the finish. Other substances can impact the integrity of a helmet, so be cautious and go easy.

 

I’ve found GTecniq’s Tri-Clean really good for cleansing the inside of helmets. This is especially helpful as I did not want the plastic strips with the pads on to go through the wash – as I would usually do with pads.

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Performance 4.5/5

 

My initial reaction was delight at just how light it was. I’ve had a couple of eight-hour trips with it, and there’s no neck fatigue whatsoever – not that this is usually a problem. I’ve no complaints about the Kali Therapy Century road helmet I’ve worn for a few years – it is around the same weight. The big difference is that with the POC Ventral, I felt that I might forget that I was wearing it. This could be because of that strip on which the pads are mounted; it felt to me as if there was a helmet there, but it was barely in contact with my head. Now, we have to accept that heads come in different shapes and sizes, so this is very much my opinion based on my experience. This is the most comfortable helmet I have worn. The supple cradle really does seem to caress the bumps and other vagaries. You could say, it fits like a glove, but that would sound silly.

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Another notable difference is air-flow. POC say this is a great helmet for hot weather or hilly rides where you are working really hard. I’d agree, but for the wrong reasons. We’ve not had any really hot days so far – in fact the mornings have been distinctly chilly (anything 0C and 4C, but with a northerly wind chill dropping things by a further three or four degrees). Whereas I’ve felt a chill to the head (with the Kali and a warm one with the Unit 1 Neon commuting helmet with its excellent liner), my brain nearly froze in the POC Ventral.

 

True, it might help keep the blood flow going if I used my brain a bit more, and that, more practically, a liner with a helmet cover to boost things kept things nicely warm. Even so, I see where POC are coming from and look forward to a few genuinely war, even hot days. I’d add that I’ve headed out into the distinctly lump Staffordshire Moorlands. That’s served to support my view that POC have hit the nail on the head. Even better, we had our first 20C day of the year, and although hardly hot, the Ventral continued to do very well.

 

In common with the Unit 1 Neon, about the only thing it has in common, apart from protecting your head under certain circumstances, the POC Ventral has buckles that secure the straps just below the ears by looping the straps though and around. I find this arrangement helps stop scratching on my tender cheeks as well as holding the straps much more securely in place than simpler arrangements, even those with clips that aim to hold the straps in place.

 

Adjustment is via the familiar wheel at the rear of the cradle. Easy to use, but nothing unusual. Finally, and this won’t be something everyone will feel important or like; the colour range includes some truly vibrant ones. I love the Vibrant Orange helmet they sent me. For those who prefer a more sober dome, there are more subtle shades.

 

Value 3.5/5

 

They used to say, “Get a five-pound helmet if you’ve got a five-pound head.” Is your head a £240 model? Well, you can’t beat avoiding head trauma, but you can get helmets with a similar level of protection for less than half the price. So, what we are really looking at here are the other features. How much do you value the lightweight comfort and excellent air-flow? The great fit – well, in my case anyway? The choice of colours?

 

Rivals? Plenty, even at this price point. Giro offer several helmets, all around a similar weight, some with MIPS, and one which they describe as being “like it is not there. They all come in around £50 more than the POC Ventral, but you know what a quick Google can do for finding a discount.

 

Bollé have the Avio MIPS at £275, which promises “deep channels” and “large front vents.” This sounds similar to the concept behind the POC Ventral, but how similar, I am unable to say. The point is that all the leading helmet manufacturers offer high-spec helmets at around the price point. The POC seems generally, to sit at the lower end of the price range for comparable specifications.

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You can, of course, get a very good helmet much cheaper. For example, Kali’s new Grit 2.0, although some forty grams heavier, offers a good deal for £135, as well as a good range of colours. Meanwhile, my old companion, the Kali Therapy is now on the market for less than £80. True, it does not offer as much as the POC Ventral, but still does a very decent job – and you’ll be able to afford a slice of cake with your coffee. 

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Michael reports excellent experiences with Van Rysel Road Bike Helmet RCR MIPS. This also features MIPS Air Node, a full coverage polycarbonate shell, 15 well executed vents working to the inlet and exhaust principle, meaning a continuous flow and expulsion of air, even on slow climbs. Michael felt the chin strap and glasses port could be improved, but at £79.99, it’s hard to beat.

 

Deeper pockets? Specialized S Works Prevail 3 retails at £275(presently reduced to £149). It also employs MIPS Air Node technology, occipital base adjustment for optimal comfort and eye wear compatibility. Then there’s Specialized’s Air Cage Innovation, which is claimed to increase airflow and improve impact protection. Met Trenta 3K Carbon MIPS Helmet is reputedly one of the highest-scoring helmets ever tested by Virginia Tech. However, you’ll be parting with £350, and the colour choice may be too limited for some.

 

Summary

 

An extremely comfortable helmet that will keep you as cool as you can get when working hard or when the temperature rises high. It is really one for the enthusiast pursuer of personal bests, the racer, the sports commuter. Road and gravel are its natural habitat, but why not commute or bimble with it, too? Equally, it’ll suit anyone with deep pockets who just wants a really comfortable lid.

 

Verdict 4.5/5 Excellent all-rounder with impressive ventilation and a price tag to match

 

Steve Dyster

 

https://poc.com

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