Category: POC

POC Octal vs Octal X

Posted on by in POC

POC is a popular helmet brands which is known for their high-quality products but are also a bit into the heavier price range. They also have so many models to choose from that some of them are pretty much identical to each other like POC Octal Vs Octal X. Both of them are identical to each other but also a little bit different and if you are confused about which to choose, go check which will be your ideal choice here.

In this article, we are going to give you information about:

  • How Important a Helmet for Cycling
  • What are POC Octal and Octal X
  • What POC Octal and Octal X Look Like
  • How are the Build and Safety of POC Octal and Octal X
  • How are the Fitting System of POC Octal and Octal X
  • How are the Comfort of POC Octal and Octal X
  • POC Octal Vs Octal X

Bike Helmet

Bike helmet is something that is continuously debated today because it is indeed not a guarantee that wearing one will save your life. In many cases however, helmets can motivate riders to ride faster and increase the risk of various accidents. This is true for commuters and other similar, slow speed cycling because unless you are riding for sport, cycling in many cities is perceived as safer compared to when riding motor vehicles including cars which accident rate is at the top.

This brings the question should commuters wear helmets but then again, in our opinion it is always better safe than sorry and if you don’t like wearing one, it is also fine as long as we pay attention to the road and other users. However, if you are riding for sport, fast and extremely, a helmet is not a question anymore because we know how dangerous this activity is. Even with a proper full-face helmet stumbling when riding downhill brings an unforgettable pain and memories.

Bike helmet is designed to protect your head the same way a helmet saves a motorist’s life when riding but in comparison, depending on the model they are not as robust or protective. Bike helmet looks like a hat rather than a helmet but the construction is made well to provide the proper protection when the wearer is hitting their head mostly top of the head into something solid. It has a robust outer shell and on the inside there is softer material.

The outer shell is made to sustain impact but the main idea is to spread the force of an impact over a broader area to make sure our skull will be less likely to get fractured from the accident. Moving inside, the softer layer is meant to squeeze inward and absorb the impact energy so it will be less harmful to your head. There are various materials being used to make a helmet including fiberglass and ABS with varying thickness among brands and models.

What makes a good helmet is how the user experiences the unit sitting on top of their head and this is why you will see so many designs in the market. Not only safety which is becoming the main concern of helmets, once they sit on your head, we also have to consider the comfort and some people also pay attention to how their head looks like with one. This is why it is rare to see a closed bike helmet especially for long riding applications and even high-end expensive models don’t always look good on every head.

POC OctalPOC Octal X
Product Dimensions15 x 10 x 8 inches14 x 10 x 7 inches
Shipping Weight1.6 pounds1.7 pounds
Best offerCheck priceCheck price

About POC Octal and Octal X

If you are a regular commuter who only spend about 10 minutes to go to the office or completing some errands out there, helmet is not a very necessary safety gear to have but for those who enjoy cycling as sport and spend many hours each week to ride long distance, climbing a terrain, and riding down the hill, a helmet will be a must have. There are so many of them out there and the vast options can be confusing as well at times.

For those who want to shop quickly, it is best to set a certain price range first or decide which brand to choose from because then we can eliminate the most of the choices at one go. One brand which is always sitting at the top when it comes to bike helmets is POC and we are sure most cyclists are already familiar with this Swedish company. Their helmets are not the most affordable in comparison but quality wise, they are often to be one of the best.

If the type of cycling you are doing is road riding like cross country and spend quite the time pedaling in long distance, POC Octal and Octal X are going to be two of the most ideal models you may want to consider. Both of them are very much the same to each other because they are made for the same application but similar to many upgraded models, the latter seems to improve a part of the helmet for better safety.

The Octal is actually already a very popular helmet for road riding because of how it feels comfortable as well as offer what is usually present in a good helmet yet, in comparison to the Octal X, what present on the original helmet will also present on the latter. One thing that makes these two not suitable for just everyone is due to their shape because not everyone will like how it was shaped yet, we personally think it is just fine.

POC Octal vs Octal X

POC Octal and Octal X Design

In a glance both of POC Octal and Octal X are very similar to each other because they don’t change much of the outer design from these helmets but in comparison, you can easily tell them apart because of their different rear protection. As you can see the new helmet has this new, grey rear plate on the back in which the regular version is in the same color as the whole unit. This is also the key difference between the two helmets.

Octal is very popular for being one of the lightest road helmets and this is proven how heavy their similar models like Vectral in comparison. This helmet is weighed only at 240 grams and the latter is at 250 grams. This much weight difference may seem much when written but in real life users can’t tell the difference at all. What we love the most from these helmets is their vents because instead of putting many small ones, here they are bigger but lesser.

POC Octal and Octal X Build and Safety

Moving further, let’s see how safe POC Octal and Octal X are but unfortunately, there is no crash testing done to ensure and measure how strong these helmets can be in real life situations. From the material and build side, both of them are similarly made with polycarbonate shell which is very robust and should be able to sustain various impact while the inside is combined with polystyrene foam. The models in our article are their standard version but if needed you can get the one with MIPS and SPIN feature respectively.

These two are a very similar technology but instead of using foam, the SPIN from POC is using this gel-like material which in comparison is better than regular MIPS because it doesn’t hinder wind from cooling your head which often happens in similar helmets with the same technology. What makes Octal X special is this model also built with aramid bridge construction. The company claimed that combining this structural support made the helmet stiffer.

POC Octal vs Octal X

It also helpful in dispersing impact forces over a wider area without adding too much weight on the unit. This is also why instead of road helmets, Octal X is marketed as mountain biking helmet with the same comfort of road riding experience. Read also: POC Octal and Ventral.

POC Octal and Octal X Fitting System

Moving further, while they do have slightly different build POC Octal and Octal X are very much the same when it comes to the fitting system. As you can see the straps on both models are molded into the liner which makes the unit tend to sit a little off the side of the face. The chin strap is very comfortable and they snug just fine especially with the help of retention adjustment that you can adjust a few mm using a simple slider mechanism.

POC Octal and Octal X Vents

Beside how they snug comfortably on your head, the best thing about these helmets is their ventilation because as you can see there are a massive amount of vents here in total of 21 holes to cool your head down. These vents are also made to properly accept wind from the front and release the warm air from the rear vents. In addition there are eye garage vents at the front to secure your sunglasses conveniently when needed.

POC Octal vs Octal X

These helmets are an ideal option to get if you are into road riding or mountain biking but in comparison the Octal X is made to be sturdier and more ideal for the latter application while the former is your standard road helmet. There is not much change between the two except the build and material since the weight and vents including fitting stay the same and both are delivering an amazing performance especially on how they cool your head while riding.

 
POC Octal
- STAY HEAD STRONG: High performance EPS liner that is optimized in density and fully wrapped in a unibody shell construction
- VENTED: Temperature regulating Coolbest padding that is generously ventilated, using POC's unique ventilation design
- FIT FOR YOU: Size adjustment system, with straps molded into the liner
- EXTRAS: Eye garage to keep your sunglasses securely in position when placed on the helmet
Best Price Click Here
 
POC Octal X
- PROTECTION: Integrated with patent pending POC SPIN (shearing pad inside), which helps reduce the effects of an oblique (angled impact) fall by reducing the amount of force transmitted to the head
- BREATHE: Highly ventilated using POC's unique ventilation design, and aramid bridge technology integrated with liner for enhanced structural integrity
- SECURE: Simple and easy adjustment system for the perfect fit. Precision straps molded into liner for extra comfort
- SAFETY: Eye garage to keep your sunglasses securely placed on the helmet
Best Price Click Here

Conclusion

It is best to shop based on your activity because not all of us are going to ride at the same terrain. If your application is mountain biking however, we do recommend getting the more robust POC Octal X.

 

POC Octal vs Ventral

Posted on by in POC

Safety is the most important thing when you are doing extreme sport because it has a high risk of accident and for those who love to do cross country or long distance riding, POC Octal Vs Ventral will be a very ideal choice to consider. Both of them are designed for the application and very safe but are also very similar to each other so before you make a choice, go check what they can offer below and see which suit your application the best.

In this article, we are going to give you information about:

  • Why Wearing Helmet and Which Helmet to Buy
  • What are POC Octal and Ventral
  • What POC Octal and Ventral Look Like
  • How are the Build and Safety of POC Octal and Ventral
  • How are the Fitting System of POC Octal and Ventral
  • Are POC Octal and Ventral Comfortable
  • POC Octal Vs Ventral

Bike Helmet

Some people still need to be convinced to wear a helmet because they don’t think it matters when you are only riding on the street but let’s be honest, we will never know what’s happened and rather than regretting things later, it is better to be prepared for best safety. The most common reasoning we heard about people who don’t want to wear a helmet is that because it won’t provide the best protection when you accidentally clash with other vehicles thus, they see it pointless.

But, while a bike helmet is not as robust or fully protective like a motorbike helmet, why willing to risk your head safety for such a reason. However, we also understand that not all people are going to have the same opinion and as long as you are fully aware of the risk, we can proceed to choose whatever decision we need to make. In some countries, for safety, not only motorbike riders but cyclists are also required by law to wear a helmet when hitting the road.

If you are here, we are sure there is no need to try convincing how important a bike helmet is for your own safety and now comes the confusing part which is bike helmet shopping. This is not because there are only a few of them out there but the opposite there are many models to choose from which not all of us will use the same type. The most important tip to choose the right bike helmet is based on your application whether it is for commuter, cross country, or MTB.

The commuter helmet is commonly very light and very minimal when it comes to protection but it is designed to protect mostly the top part of our head and has many vents to keep your head cool while pedaling for certain time. The next cross country is heavier in comparison while the design is still very similar but, notice that they have more covering on the back which affects the weight and its safety yet, there is still plenty of vents here.

The next type of bike helmet is the one we used in mountain riding application and it can be trail or enduro helmet depending on your activity. It has more coverage and an addition of visor for the trail type but not as heavy as enduro helmet. The trail type is often worn for climbing in which you will be slower but need a perfect vision while the last has a full-face design in which is necessary for DH because you will ride faster and thus, need much more protection.

POC OctalPOC Ventral
Product Dimensions15 x 10 x 8 inches13 x 10 x 8 inches
Shipping Weight1.6 pounds1.65 pounds
Best offerCheck priceCheck price

About POC Octal and Ventral

Shopping based on application is fast and effective that you can do from home but, don’t forget to measure the head size as well so then we can use the sizing option more effectively since usually helmets are sold in either S, M, L, or XL variants. If you already decide what type of helmet fits the activity the most, now is the time to see what the market has to offer because there are so many of them out there.

If this is your first time shopping for a new helmet, it  is best to stay with popular or well-known brands because they are the most likely to deliver the best performance and among those many companies who make helmets, POC is one of the best options to shop from. They are very popular with the high quality products but also heavier price range and if you don’t mind digging a bit deeper, their products are definitely worth the price.

For MTB riders, helmets like POC Tectal Vs Trabec will be more ideal but if you are riding on the road, POC Octal and Ventral are two of the best helmets you may want to consider. What’s unique about these two models is people either loving them or hating them because they don’t fit in their preference due to some factors mainly comfort and how they look on top of your head. However, if you have an oval, or bigger head in general, these two will look fine aesthetically.

Starting with Octal, this model is POC first offering to the road bike helmet market and just like most of their products if you are already familiar with, this one as well is designed to have similar qualities to what we often seek on road bike helmet; lightweight and heavy vents. If Octal specifically a road helmet, the Ventral is your option for aero riding and if speed is in your first concern, this one is specifically designed for the application. 

POC Octal and Ventral Design

As you can see from the sample picture above, POC Octal and Ventral are quite the same with each other because they are equally sporting this mushroom looking top which is not actually very high in comparison to most road helmets, in fact they are rather flat but a bit bubbly from the front. This makes these helmets may look funny on certain people and we also agree that not all helmets will look good on just any head.

Side by side they are not the lightest road helmets out there because none of them can beat Aeon yet but, if you are looking for a lightweight helmet, we do recommend getting Octal because this one is only 15 grams heavier than Aeon at 240 grams compared to Ventral at 280 grams. However, this light weight will also come with a scarifying since you will find there is not much padding in this model in comparison to common road helmets.

POC Octal and Ventral Build and Safety

The first thing you may want to know about these helmets is probably the safety which relates to the build and material. Similar to many other bike helmets, unfortunately there is no real-life crashing test done with any of these models and as you can guess, there is an EPS liner inside to protect your head from direct impact as well as cushioning it when such an accident happens. The shell itself is made from polycarbonate and does well to cover the EPS inside while also robust enough to sustain knocks.

As for the safety feature, there is a version of Octal with MIPS if you are willing to spend more but this one in our article doesn’t have the feature and in comparison, Ventral is coming with a different safety feature called SPIN. It seems that POC created or at least developed this technology in which function is rather similar to MIPS. What’s different is instead of using elastomer-suspended structure that rotates upon impacts, SPIN uses silicone-like gel membrane.

These pads will shear or move in any direction to produce the same effect as how MIPS work and to maximize the performance, these pads are all placed in critical locations inside the helmet. What’s inside the pad is medical-grade silicone and covered with comfortable fabric to make sure you don’t feel a strange sensation.

POC Octal and Ventral Fitting System

Moving further, let’s check the fitting of POC Octal and Ventral because this is necessary to provide better comfort and whether they will snug well on top of your head. On this side both of them are identical to each other with the same rear chin strap, rear retention, and the same adjustable retention band which you can check inside the helmet and if needed we can adjust roughly half-a centimeter using a convenient slider mechanism. Our issue is that these plastics seem and feel pretty flimsy.

This is the same about their rear retention band which is adjusted via a turning wheel because it is very thin. There is actually no issue when using them because they work just fine but it is a bit concerning especially in an expensive helmet like these two.

POC Octal and Ventral Vents

Last thing we want to talk about is their vents because it is quite different between POC Octal and Ventral since the latter is made to be Aero model in which it also has to think about the aerodynamic which is why it also has a different shape. Ventral is a very cooling helmet and we guess it is because of the SPIN padding which works better for allowing air get inside without being blocked by MIPS. 

Octal on the other hand has large vents which show a good performance as well in terms of cooling your head. In comparison, Octal has massive 21 vents all over the helmet and the Ventral has 13 of them.

POC Octal vs Ventral

Both of these helmets are great if you are looking for the one that not only safe but also cooling because they are amazing in this side yet, as comparison Octal is lighter probably because it also don’t carry MIPS inside for this model and has more vents than Ventral but performance wise, none of them are uncomfortable while on the safety side, Ventral already comes with SPIN to replace MIPS.

 
POC Octal
- STAY HEAD STRONG: High performance EPS liner that is optimized in density and fully wrapped in a unibody shell construction
- VENTED: Temperature regulating Coolbest padding that is generously ventilated, using POC's unique ventilation design
- FIT FOR YOU: Size adjustment system, with straps molded into the liner
- EXTRAS: Eye garage to keep your sunglasses securely in position when placed on the helmet
Best Price Click Here
 
POC Ventral
- POC's Ventral Spin Helmet is touted as the most aerodynamic, well-ventilated, and safest road helmet ever produced by the Swedish protection experts.
- This scientific principle states that by constricting airflow in a choke point, the air pressure subsequently drops as it gains velocity.
- POC's engineers used this guiding principle to maximize ventilation by sculpting massive airflow vents in the front, which channel air inside constricted channels over the top of your head, then out from large exhaust ports along the sharp, trailing rear.
- By speeding up the flow of air inside the helmet, the Venturi effect means you'll remain cool and comfortable as you ride at a blistering cadence, even in the summer heat
Best Price Click Here

Conclusion

All in all you can pick any of these helmets and still ride safely but if you don’t like a taller helmet and want the best safety feature, Ventral will be the best option and, if lighter helmet is what you look for then Octal is the most ideal choice.

POC Tectal vs Trabec

Posted on by in POC

Bike helmet is necessary for all riding activities because it protects our head and brain from damage of any possible accident. Especially mountain biking, we will need more heavy-duty material and proper protection like what POC Tectal Vs Trabec offer because they are playing an important role for the overall safety. These brothers are very similar to each other but are also different to each other and before you go shopping for one, go check which of them will be your best option.

In this article, we are going to give you information about:

  • Which Helmet Suitable for Mountain Biking
  • What are POC Tectal and Trabec
  • What POC Tectal and Trabec Look Like
  • How are the Safety of POC Tectal and Trabec
  • How are the Fitting System of POC Tectal and Trabec
  • What else POC Tectal and Trabec can offer
  • POC Tectal Vs Trabec

Helmet for Mountain Biking

Everybody knows that our health is the most important and none of us want to fall ill or have some conditions that hinder our activity. Unfortunately while our body is already developed enough to live as convenient as possible through a long process of evolution, it is still prone to be damaged by a great impacts. It is a risk that we have to compromise when choosing an active lifestyle and depending on your activity, the risk will vary as well.

Bicycling is a great activity to keep you busy during the weekend and a method to stay fit while also being a good transporting method if your city often has vehicle packed roads. Mountain biking itself is among the most popular extreme sports with lots of enthusiasts today and similar to any extreme sports, the first thing we have to own before executing the plan is a good, reliable helmet. Its function is crucial to protect our head, our brain so then we can continue doing our favorite activity.

For mountain biking, there are several helmet types that you may want to consider and all of them should be fitted with the kind of activity you are doing because not all will deliver the same experience.

  1. The most minimum requirement for MTB is cross-country helmet and the main goal of wearing this type is to provide as much air as possible for your riding experience. It is very similar to a commuting helmet but there is an additional cover at the back and side while putting lots of vents all over the helmet surface. In addition the material is more heavy-duty than road or commuting helmets.
  2. The more common helmet being used for MTB is trail helmet which different is the most prominent on their design because this one is more similar to a motorbike helmet with a full cover on the back and overall bigger than your regular cross-country combined with either removable or fixed visor. Most of them are also designed to be suitable with either sunglasses or goggles.
  3. The last is a full-face or enduro helmets just like Bell Super 3R Vs Fox Proframe and as the name suggests, it has a protector on the face area which makes it the safest option for gravity riders, downhill ricers, enduro racers, or free riders. The main concern here is protection hence some models doesn’t offer what you usually have on the rest of the helmets and in comparison, it is heavy-duty while also heavier which makes some riders dislike it despite the great safety level.
 POC Tectal POC Trabec
Product Dimensions17 x 10 x 9 inches14 x 9 x 10 inches
Shipping Weight15.2 ounces1.7 pounds
Best offerCheck priceCheck price

About POC Tectal and Trabec

For those who aren’t fall into the last category, any of the first two helmets are actually already safe for most applications and are great if you are the type who can’t wear a heavy helmet or worried about how the vents will keep your head cool during the ride. We do recommend choosing the trail helmet because it is in the middle in terms of protection and while it does have a little bit of additional weight due to the construction, they are still very well cooling.

There are various reliable brands to look for in the market and chances almost all of them will offer a nice option for you application but when talking about bike helmets, our mind instantly recalling POC as one of the most well-known helmets today. They are a very popular option for different riders with their vast collection of different types of helmet but the best thing is that they always offer high-quality products for their customers to choose while the price point is something that we do considered pretty high.

If you are an enduro rider, two of the most ideal models that can suit the application are POC Tectal and Trabec. Both of them are a trail helmet which is great and right in the middle for protection without heavily rely on the bulkier built. However, they are not very safe if you are riding downhill and very fast because there is nothing covering our face and it can be dangerous for chances you will fall face first into the ground.

In comparison, the Trabec is probably the more popular helmet in their collection because it fits into most people’s heads and very comfortable but it is also true that there is no product can satisfy all of us and this is where Tectal comes through. Both of them are very similar to each other mostly made with the same construction but seems to have different fitting. They also doesn’t hold back in providing lots of vents to cool your head with plenty of them.

POC Tectal and Trabec Design

Before moving further, the model we are talking about in this article is their standard version because both are coming in MIPS version as well so if you are for the higher protection and are willing to add a little bit more into the budget, we definitely recommend it. Side by side they are very similar to each other sporting the common trail bike design but with different vent sizes and exact placement but in terms of weight, they are at 340 and 350 grams respectively.

This makes POC Tectal and Trabec not the most lightweight or among the top lightest weight helmet like Giro Xar but they are clearly among the lighter options you can consider if light helmet is what you want to have. Similarly, both of them are coming in different fashion options with different bright and subtle colors as well as 3 different sizes to fit your head. 

POC Tectal and Trabec Safety

Moving further, let’s check the safety based on how POC build their helmets and in this side, both of them are literally identical to each other because they use the same Aramid-reinforced fibres within the expanded polystyrene helmet core and with this,the helmet is increased in overall level of impact resistance and ability to remain connected through the impact. What’s more amazing is POC also analyzes where the helmet usually experience an impact and by understanding this, they can position the seam or the weakest part of the helmet away from those impact zone.

Similar to most helmet, these two are also using the in-mould construction which is designed to increase durability and commonly has a great ability to dissipate impact forces over a wide area of the helmet. Another safety feature offered by these helmets is the Recco reflector which is helpful to help search and rescue operators from helicopter to pinpoint your location in case you are missing in the wild.

POC Tectal and Trabec Fitting System

Moving further, the next point we want to talk about is their fitting system and in this side, there is no fancy strap or convenient adjustment because POC Tectal and Trabec are equally coming with a standard adjustable retention system which may come a little bit loose after being taken off and need readjustment from time to time. We don’t have any issue with the strap because they are comfortable and sit well on the chin. 

The rear retention band is adjusted with two small buttons and will require two hands to operate in Trabec but in Tectal, the rear retention is using the more common click wheel and in comparison, we do think the wheel does a more efficient job and being the more convenient system. Another difference is the overall shape because Trabec is more of a round helmet so it fits those with rounder head better while the other is more oval.

POC Tectal and Trabec Feature and Vents

The last point we want to talk about is their features including vents because they are also different in this side. First is the visor, as you can see both of them are featured with visor but what makes them different is that Tectal also allow you to adjust the visor quite greatly in which Trabec only offer a slight movement. In addition Tectal has 17 vents compared to 16 vents in Trabec but both are working well and cools your head effectively.

POC Tectal vs Trabec

Both of POC Tectal and Trabec are a nice option for your MTB application but they are also different and in our opinion, their fitting system play the most important role here because those with rounder head will find Trabec more comfortable while those with slightly oval head will like Tectal better. In addition, Trabec also have wheel retention system which is more convenient to provide the best fit and it has slightly more vents into the helmet with a better adjustable visor.

 
POC Tectal
- FULL COVERAGE: Lightweight, trail dedicated mountain bike helmet designed to provide more coverage at the temples and back of the head
- TECHNOLOGY: High performance PC shell covers more of the liner designed to improve protection against sharp objects. Features POC's patent pending rotational impact protection system, SPIN (Shearing Pad Inside)
- VENTED: Highly ventilated using POC's unique ventilation design; aramid bridge technology integrated with liner for enhanced structural integrity
- FIT FOR YOU: Simple and easy adjustment system for the perfect fit; precision straps molded into liner for extra comfort
Best Price Click Here
 
POC Trabec
- As mountain bike technology has progressed, we've all benefited, and by benefited, we mean that we've all gotten a lot faster
- Improved suspension, better tires, and stronger wheels all add up to more speed over rougher terrain.
- One place that hadn't kept up, until recently, was helmet design, and it's helmets like POC's Trabec that have really changed what we look for in a helmet.
- It starts with the shape -- if there's nothing there, how can it protect you? The Trabec extends much further down the neck and the sides of your head than other helmets, which means better protection even at the most basic level.
Best Price Click Here

Conclusion

All in all you can pick any of these helmets and still be safe while riding but in comparison, we do like POC Tectal better because it is more convenient and also lighter than Trabec yet, it is also fairly expensive even to those from other brands.