POC Ventral Air MIPS Helmet - Uranium Black (Matte) 50-56cm

Firstly, the mips integration is really slick and clean. Definitely none of that gross inner shell vibe on early mips helmets. The lack of adjustability is the biggest problem though. The drive side is locked in place because where the strap passes through the back of the helmet is glued and stitched. This means you can only adjust one side of the helmet.Next, for the price point, the level of finish is low compared to other brands. For nearly $200, I would expect trim over the EPS on the underside of the brim.I really liked the colour in the photos but in real life, the finish lacked the lustre of the studio shots. Would have to try in a shop before considering purchase again

Bunch of upgrades from the previous SPIN version:1. Ears can be adjusted2. White straps replaces previous grey straps3. MIPS Integra replaces SPIN (basically same — now black pads instead of blue, also padding extends further to back)The all white version is super sweet and no other company has anything like it, they all use black Eva foam which contrasts hard with any white shell. The model photo of white is deceiving its a pre-production unit, they are using white plastic buckles & hardware like the renders. Adjusting the ears & tightness of the strap takes a lot of finagling & isn’t simple, but you can lower the ears and shift them forward/aft to better fit around them — lots of complainants about prior SPIN version being unadjustable. Once you get it dialed ... MoreBunch of upgrades from the previous SPIN version:1. Ears can be adjusted2. White straps replaces previous grey straps3. MIPS Integra replaces SPIN (basically same — now black pads instead of blue, also padding extends further to back)The all white version is super sweet and no other company has anything like it, they all use black Eva foam which contrasts hard with any white shell. The model photo of white is deceiving its a pre-production unit, they are using white plastic buckles & hardware like the renders. Adjusting the ears & tightness of the strap takes a lot of finagling & isn’t simple, but you can lower the ears and shift them forward/aft to better fit around them — lots of complainants about prior SPIN version being unadjustable. Once you get it dialed though you are good.I’m a 56 and got Medium. I wear Medium in Giro, Bell, Specialized. There’s is a tiny bit of pressure at two points on the back of my skull when my mouth is shut (jaw movement affects circumference of head) so it doesn’t fit as comfy as cheaper helmets like my Giro Savant. The BOA retention can be adjusted up and down to 3 settings, I dropped it to the lowest.

I want to love this helmet. It looks good. It's light. Plenty of airflow. But the fit system lets it down. My head is 59cm, falling well within the 56-61cm range of the large. But when dialing in the fit with the dial in the back, the system does not allow the pads to tighten around the forehead. This is because the retention system is fixed at the front of the helmet, restricting its movement. So the sides tighten, but the front cannot. This leaves gaps at the corners, and an insecure fit. The pads are also poor for a top end helmet, and the gaps between pads means the helmet rests directly on my forehead with no padding in places. It feels fine at first, but over the course of longer rides it creates hotspots exacerbated by the poor fit system. If you've got a ... MoreI want to love this helmet. It looks good. It's light. Plenty of airflow. But the fit system lets it down. My head is 59cm, falling well within the 56-61cm range of the large. But when dialing in the fit with the dial in the back, the system does not allow the pads to tighten around the forehead. This is because the retention system is fixed at the front of the helmet, restricting its movement. So the sides tighten, but the front cannot. This leaves gaps at the corners, and an insecure fit. The pads are also poor for a top end helmet, and the gaps between pads means the helmet rests directly on my forehead with no padding in places. It feels fine at first, but over the course of longer rides it creates hotspots exacerbated by the poor fit system. If you've got a wide forehead, maybe this will work. But if it's on the narrower side, pass on this helmet.