POC helmets: thumbs up or down?

[Climb01742]

Need a new helmet. Coming from a Specialized, and I’ve had Bells and Giros before. All good options now but I’m curious about POC helmets. I’ve read some good things, but was hoping for some firsthand opinions. Any insights or experiences very much appreciated. Thx!

[fignon's barber]

I have an Octal. Fits very well, and feels very protective and ventilated. I would say the only down side is the straps don't sit flush against your face, so can effect fit of certain glasses. I understand the latest models have fixed that.

[Chris]

I had one. Sold it. It just wasn’t for me. Helmets are about fit and this one didn’t.

[shinomaster]

The Octal fits my thick head perfectly and I love it, so I'm buying another one while I can.

[OtayBW]

Thumbs SIDEWAYS for me:

Bought a Ventral last year: fit great, but the strap splitters (on either side, just below your ears) are fixed, and in both my case and apparently many others, too short. I had to squeeze my ear lobes in and they were always pushed up by the straps. This has been noted by reviewers, users online, and vendors as well. I even inquired politely with the company if they had any plans for a fix in newer models and the response from them was mostly disinterest. I had to return it...

Fast forward to this Spring where they introduced the Ventral Air Spin, but sadly with no change to the strap splitters. Nice helmet(s), but unusable for me.

[scoobydrew]

Thumbs up for me in terms of overall fit. I briefly had a POC Octal and it fit my specific headshape (which is a bit more round) pretty well. I got rid of it since I couldn't get over the look. POC has released a couple of newer helmets like the Ventral Air SPIN and Omne Air SPIN which I might check out.

I currently use a Kask Protone as my main helmet.

[BdaGhisallo]

I was a 30 year user of Giro helmets. I literally have used every one of their top of the line road helmets since 1987. Last spring I bought a POC Ventral and I won't be going back to Giro helmets.

The Ventral is very nice. The quality and finish feel so much better than Giro. The fit is nice, it's very comfortable and it's easily the quietest helmet I've ever used. I have no problem with the length of the ear straps and the splitter but some do, as you have read already.

I am waiting on a Ventral Air to add to my stable even though the regular Ventral cooled my head very well last summer. And the Zinc Orange AVIP color that POC offers will improve your visibility massively. When my wife is out running she has spotted me from a ridiculously long way away.

[Hellgate]

They're goofy assed looking. Get a Kask.

[Black Dog]

Originally Posted by Hellgate

They're goofy assed looking. Get a Kask.

That’s strange, I have never noticed how my helmet looks while I am wearing it.

[Hellgate]

Originally Posted by Black Dog

That’s strange, I have never noticed how my helmet looks while I am wearing it.

But I notice others wearing it, and of course, it's all about me.

[Black Dog]

Originally Posted by Hellgate

But I notice others wearing it, and of course, it's all about me.

Well played sir. For the record they look large but I have to say it is the best helmet I have ever worn.

[Hellgate]

Originally Posted by Black Dog

Well played sir. For the record they look large but I have to say it is the best helmet I have ever worn.

I've heard the same too. I'm sure they are a nice fitting helmet. Just goofy looking.

[BdaGhisallo]

Originally Posted by Hellgate

They're goofy assed looking. Get a Kask.

You say that like it's a bad thing.

[Hellgate]

Originally Posted by BdaGhisallo

You say that like it's a bad thing.

Now I'm not judging one's level of goofy, because I stare a men's rearends that are covered in spandex once a week. It's a relative thing...

[Climb01742]

I agree they're goofy looking, but part of my goal is...have drivers say, 'Did you see that guy in the goofy-ass helmet we just passed?' Reports are they're safe and while there are other visible helmets out there, POCs sure pop.