POC Sports occupies a distinct position in cycling. The company does not build product lines around trends or race exposure. Its work starts with injury mechanics, material behavior, and how forces move through the body during a crash. Design follows that work, not the other way around.
That approach has produced equipment that looks different and behaves differently. Helmets with larger surface areas. Pads that feel pliable until they are not. Apparel that avoids excess panels or graphics. The throughline is consistency. Products feel engineered as systems, not collections.
This review covers POC’s current cycling range in 2026, with an emphasis on helmets, protection, eyewear, and how the brand’s priorities compare to others operating at the same level.
Company Background
POC was founded in Sweden in 2005. The brand name originated in alpine sports, where early work focused on reducing head trauma and spinal injury. Cycling followed soon after, carrying over the same research-led framework.
Central to the company is the POC Lab, an internal testing and development environment used to study rotational forces, shear stress, and impact dissipation. Results from that work appear directly in product decisions, including shell geometry, liner density, and material selection.
POC’s cycling range remains tightly edited. Categories expand slowly. Older models stay in production longer than industry norms when they continue to meet testing thresholds.
Helmet Systems
Helmets remain the core of POC’s cycling identity. Shapes are immediately recognizable. Coverage is generous. Venting is deliberate rather than maximal.
Kortal and Kortal Race MIPS
The Kortal platform is built for trail and enduro use where speeds vary and impact scenarios are unpredictable.
Key characteristics:
- Extended protection zones around the temples and rear skull
- Integrated rotational impact system
- Adjustable visor designed for goggle clearance
- High airflow without relying on oversized vents
The Race version incorporates additional tracking and identification features used in competitive environments. Fit is secure and neutral, with emphasis on stability during head movement rather than minimal weight.
Tectal and Tectal Race
The Tectal sits below the Kortal in coverage but remains more protective than traditional trail helmets.
Construction details include:
- Reinforced shell structure using aramid fibers
- One-piece shell design to reduce stress points
- EPS liner tuned for trail-level impacts
It is widely used as a daily trail helmet where a balance between weight and coverage matters.
Otocon and Otocon Race MIPS
The Otocon is POC’s lightweight full-face platform. It targets enduro riders who want continuous face protection without resorting to a downhill helmet.
Design elements:
- Dual-material shell construction
- Rotational impact management integrated into the liner
- Removable cheek pads
- Vent channels designed to function at climbing speeds
Compared with other lightweight full-face helmets, the Otocon prioritizes structural integrity over minimal shell thickness.
Omne Air SPIN
The Omne Air sits outside the mountain bike category but reflects the same design logic.
It is used across road, gravel, and urban riding. Coverage is conservative. Weight is moderate. The silhouette is understated. The Ultra variant adds mounting capability for lights and accessories without altering the core shell.
Body Protection and VPD Materials
POC’s protection systems revolve around VPD, a visco-elastic material that behaves differently depending on load.
In normal use:
- Soft
- Flexible
- Conforms to body movement
Under impact:
- Rapid stiffening
- Energy dispersion across a wider area
VPD Air, VPD 2.0, and VPD System
- VPD Air prioritizes breathability and pedaling comfort
- VPD 2.0 balances coverage with flexibility
- VPD System meets higher certification standards for downhill and park use
Pads are shaped to follow joint movement rather than wrap aggressively. Retention is handled through fit geometry rather than heavy strapping.
Eyewear
POC eyewear uses Zeiss lenses across its cycling range. Optical clarity and lens stability are treated as safety considerations, not just performance benefits.
Devour
The Devour is a large-format design intended for high-speed riding.
Characteristics:
- Broad field of view
- Adjustable nose and temple pieces
- Lens coatings that resist fogging and contamination
It functions as a hybrid between sunglasses and goggles, particularly in trail and enduro contexts.
Other models such as Aspire and Do Blade serve road and gravel riders with slimmer profiles and lighter frames.
Apparel
POC’s apparel lines are restrained. Cuts are functional. Fabrics are selected for durability and movement rather than compression or visual effect.
Resistance and Essential Lines
- Resistance focuses on abrasion tolerance and trail use
- Essential emphasizes comfort and range of motion
Color palettes are muted. Branding is minimal. Garments are designed to coexist with protective equipment rather than compete with it.
Design Language
POC’s visual identity reflects Scandinavian industrial design. Shapes are simple. Color use is controlled. Nothing appears accidental.
This restraint serves a functional purpose. Large uninterrupted surfaces distribute force more predictably. Reduced paneling lowers seam stress. Matte finishes reduce glare.
The result is gear that reads as technical rather than expressive.
Position Among Peers
Compared with Fox Racing, POC offers a narrower range with greater emphasis on impact science and less on apparel breadth.
Against Troy Lee Designs, POC trades visual identity and race culture for structural conservatism and testing depth.
Relative to Giro, POC leans further into protection systems at the cost of weight and stylistic variety.
None of these approaches is universally better. They reflect different priorities.
Closing Thoughts
POC’s cycling products are defined by restraint and intent. They are not built to follow trends or refresh cycles. They are built to manage risk through material behavior and structural decisions that remain consistent year after year.
Riders drawn to POC typically value predictability, coverage, and quiet confidence over expression or novelty. The equipment reflects that preference clearly.
FAQ
Q: What does POC stand for?
A: “Piece Of Cake” — though its products are anything but simple. The name reflects the brand’s pursuit of ease through innovation.
Q: Are POC helmets safer than others?
A: Independent tests consistently place POC among the safest helmets on the market, thanks to MIPS, SPIN, and structural design innovations.
Q: Is POC gear worth the higher price?
A: Yes — you’re paying for real safety research, top-tier materials, and elite comfort.
Q: Which POC helmet is best for trail riding?
A: The Kortal Race MIPS is the best blend of coverage, breathability, and integrated safety tech.
Q: Does POC make downhill-certified full-face helmets?
A: Yes — the Otocon Race MIPS is DH-certified while remaining incredibly light.
Q: Where is POC made?
A: POC designs its products in Sweden, with manufacturing done through certified partners worldwide.
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- POC Sports Review
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Why Trust This Review?
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