As a multi-surface rider I was looking for a helmet that could do it all (i.e. aerodynamic and vented enough for the road while durable for gravel.) That said, I love how POC has thought through various design elements to make it the last helmet you'll ever need. In particular I love the sunglass garage and how it holds my shades snugly in my helmet while riding. I also love the innovations that POC has made like the SPIN technology integrated into the padding of the helmet, making the helmet that much simpler and cleaner. I wish the POC Ventral Air SPIN were a bit lighter weight (it feels just a bit on the heavy side of helmets these days). I also don't love the boxy look of the front, but guess I'll get used to that because so far, this helmet is great!
I really like the helmet portion of this helmet. But the portion of the straps that hang below your ear are not adjustable, and they are too big for me (I don't have a small head). They catch me right on my jaw line in an uncomfortable way. For this much money, I think the straps should be adjustable in this regard.
The helmet itself is awesome, though. I bought it because I wanted a helmet that would stay cool even when climbing at very slow speeds, and this does that as well as I could have hoped!
Ventilation is the best I�ve had in my 20+yrs of riding
Experienced expert level cyclist and I've worn most of the top tier helmets through the years. Purchased the POC "Ventral Air Spin" to replace my well used "Octal". Notice slight improvement in air flow with the Ventral compared to the Octal and the Ventral looks less bulky and more contemporary, if that matters to you. Oakley and Rudy Project eye shades fit relatively snug, providing you don't shake your head too much. On the negatives; the Ventral fit is smaller than the Octal. Size (M) Octal is perfect, whereas Ventral (M) is almost at max adjustment and I cannot wear a cycling cap under the Ventral, where I can easily with the Octal. Tried Ventral size (L) and way too big on my head. Rear strap location on the Ventral is terrible compared to the Octal, The strap angle is poor and causes straps to touch back of ear...they work, but not great. I don't think the newly designed POC head restraint pads are an improvement over MIPS and contribute to the fit issues. So, overall the Ventral Air Spin is decent. I'll wear it through the summer and then give it away and find something nicer.
Using the POC sizing chart I ordered a medium. I also base this by all my other helmets that I own are medium from different manufacturers.
This helmet fits well on my head and the ventilation is great no issues there. The problem is that POC skimped on the strap lengths as the triangle around my ears does not fit and the chin strap is snug with no play at all. Another iss is that the helmet sits low on the head which great for protection but while wearing my Oakley sunglasses the helmet presses down glasses over the ear which made it extremely uncomfortable.
I wish I could return it but I used it for one hour. Actually I could not wait to get it off my head. Again I have no issues with other medium size helmets from other manufacturers.
How do you determine the value of a helmet? A week ago my wife hit a tree rut in the street hidden in shadows. Her bike flipped out from under her and she when down-hard. She landed on the back of her head where the POC helmet wraps around better than nearly every other helmet. It buckled. It split. But the ER nurse said that the design saved her life, and the nurse was going to buy the same helmet for her daughter and herself as soon as she got home.
For me this was the best value of anything I have ever purchased for cycling. I am now waiting for the same helmet for my daughter-in-law and two grandchildren. I already purchased a replacement for my wife to use when she can start riding again.
This POC (Ventral Air) successfully checks the same boxes that had me raving about it's "lesser" sibling -- the (Octal). It's light, ventilation is good, and it's so damn comfortable. The only think keeping it from earning five stars across the board is the price, which is a bit steep, especially considering the Octal, in my opinion, is easily as good for $50 less.
My bottom line, having tried Giro, Bell, Kask, Bontrager helmets, I'd rate both of my POCs better than the whole lot of them.
This POC helmet fits a bit differently than the helmet I replaced, so the first longish ride was a little uncomfortable as I got a headache from the pressure it put on my forehead (I believe). It just took a little bit of adjustment in forward tilt of it on my head. I don't know why that wasn't intuitive or why it didn't feel natural for me to wear it that way, but it seems to have worked itself out. The shape of the helmet seems to be a bit more round than oval, so this might explain the different feeling of it. Anyway, all is well now and I have completed a handful of centuries wearing the POC Ventral Air SPIN with no problems whatsoever.
The venting is absolutely noticeably cooler. Tennessee summers are brutally hot/humid - like being zipped up in a wet sleeping bag in the blazing sun with hot moist cotton shoved up your nose - truly, it sucks here from mid June to September. I noticed the difference in ventilation to my noggin' immediately when I hit ~20mph or so. It was wonderful.
I got the pure white on white and it really stands out from a visibility aspect. I think it looks sharp and with the fit characteristics figured out now I can wear a cap underneath it on colder mornings this fall/winter. I'm very pleased with this helmet.
This helmet is relatively light (about 270g) and fits well. Size medium is comparable to medium helmets from other brands. The helmet provides great ventilation on hot days, I've worn it in temperatures over 100F and have no complaints. Also, AVIP orange is very bright and can be spotted far away in low and normal light conditions.
Even MORE comfortable than my previous Giro Synthe, which I thought was as comfy as any helmet could possibly be. Which is actually a problem I can't feel it when it's on my head, so I have to check to make sure I have it on before starting a ride! Right out of the box, it fit me nearly perfectly, needing only a slight tightening of the chin strap. So far have done up to 90 miles in it without any aches or pains. The open design makes it easy to scratch my scalp when I get an annoying itch, no matter where.
I had a minor crash which caused a small dimple in the helmet, so I replaced it. Decided I should destroy the damaged helmet before tossing it into the trash, so I went at it with a hammer. It was gratifyingly difficult to destroy, a hatchet or a SawzAll would have been better choices!
I bought this helmet after a real bad crash that resulted in a concussion and lots of missing skin. I'm coming from a Giro Synthe Mips, which did its job and prevented more serious issues. I mention it as that is the helmet I'm most familiar with when comparing this one. There are a few things I like better about the POC Ventral Air Spin. It sits much lower on the head and provides better protection around the temples without adding any noticeable weight. Looking back, my face would have fared far better in that crash. It's also more comfortable, but that's probably just a personal head-shape thing. The Spin technology is nice to have, and it's integrated seamlessly. I've found that sometimes MIPS helmets have integrated the technology as an afterthought (newer helmets have resolved this) and can impede good airflow. I also really like the sunglass integration, I can throw my sunglasses up on my helmet quite easily. I don't know how people do this on other helmets with the tiniest sunglass holes. As for negatives... you'll probably not win any fashion contests, but I'm not sure I can say that about any helmet (I bought the orange one and cars do notice you... which is exactly what I wanted). Hopefully I'll never need the helmet, but I'm glad it's up there if I do.
I use this helmet for road rides. I honestly have no complaints. It fits great, & its very cool in hot weather. I actually have 2 of this helmet. My only complaint is I wish it would come in more colors.
I bought a blaze orange version of the Ventral Air SPIN (already reviewed) and liked it enough to buy a second one in white for raceday. My second one checks all the same boxes lightweight (270g for a medium), fits nicely on my 57cm head, and ventilates well on hot days in the 90F-100F degree range...One gripe that i didn't mention in my first review is the sunglass garage. POC added grippy tape on the inside of two front vents, but the vents don't hold my sunglass arms securely-and I wear POC Do Half Blades. In you are going to stash shades in the helmet, the rear vents fix the sunglass arms more securely in place. This is a minor gripe, overall the Ventral Air Spin is a quality helmet that hopefully adds a bit of concussion protection over other non-MIPS helmets.
The Ventral Air Spin is a nice update to the Octal. Fit is similar, but with a lower profile, better ventilation, and more robust chin strap retainer. I also appreciate that SPIN (POC's MIPS-like anti-concussion technology) is standard so you're not forced to choose between more or less brain protection...My medium size helmet fits my 58cm skull comfortably, and weighs 273g (- 2%). I bought AVIP orange for enhanced visibility on the road, and gosh is it bright-as in road cone bright orange that pops out in low light conditions...One caveat the fixed chin straps ride a tad high on the sides, and might get too close to one's earlobes for comfort. They don't bother me but could be a problem for you depending on head shape and helmet size
While for winter riding, I'll stick to my Lazer ZI MIPS with the aeroshell, it took only one ride in 90-degree weather to make me a big fan of the POC Ventral Air SPIN for the opposite reason the air flow is terrific, and it feels even cooler than my Giro Aether MIPS (which is another wonderful helmet). I don't know how POC's SPIN technology stacks up against proven MIPS (and don't think the helmet lab at Virginia Tech has tested it yet), but I'm comfortable that my noggin is protected adequately. Admittedly, a good sale price prompted the purchase, but I'm glad I made it.
I thought about buying s POC helmet several times in the past but was put off a bit by the appearance. My son told me that POCs were great helmets & that I should give it a chance, so I bought one. Everything about the helmet - fit, ventilation, comfort, etc. are first rate. Probably the best helmet I've ever owned. I'm even starting to like the looks of the thing.
Very comfortable helmet, like other reviewers I switched from the Giro Synthe, which is very good, but this one fits me better and I like the chin strap better as well. This helmet also feels a bit lighter and the large vents are very effective, I'm definitely happy with the purchase.
I ride on the road about 6 days a week in sunny Southern California. This helmet is light, really well ventilated, and I feel like the AVIP orange really is very visible. Fit and adjustability are great, at least for my head shape, which is on the wide side, probably typical for asians. 3 stars for value is not particular to this helmet, I just don't see how any chunk of foam can cost this much :O
This is a great helmet that fits well, is comfortable and has plenty of ventilation. Currently using it for road and mountain biking. I have not found any aspect of this helmet to be lacking so far and it is now my gold standard for helmets.
Solid summer helmet, nice fit and dial adjustment.
