The POC Cularis is a lightweight trail helmet that blends top-tier safety with everyday comfort. Touted as one of the best MTB helmets in its class, it combines MIPS Air Node protection, superb ventilation, and a sleek design — making it a strong contender for riders chasing a top trail helmet that performs on both climbs and descents.
The POC Cularis is the brand’s latest trail-oriented helmet, blending high safety, excellent ventilation, and a sleek form factor suited for everything from technical climbs to flowy descents.
POC Cularis. A Trail Helmet That Hits the Sweet Spot
Sitting at the very top of Virginia Tech’s independent helmet safety ratings, the new POC Cularis sets a high bar for MTB trail protection. Built with long days on the bike in mind, it’s lightweight, well-ventilated, and shaped for all-day comfort on fast, flowy terrain. Add in its wide adjustability and secure fit, and you’ve got a helmet that delivers confidence on every ride.
The POC Cularis isn’t just another trail helmet — it’s a lightweight powerhouse loaded with serious tech. With massive air vents for unbeatable airflow, a breakaway peak for extra safety, a Fidlock buckle you can snap with one hand, and protection backed by Mips and RECCO, it combines cutting-edge design with the highest safety rating in its class. This is a helmet built to inspire confidence every time you roll onto the trail.
POC Cularis – Features
Although the new POC Cularis may at first glance share a lot with its siblings, the Kortal or Tectal, there is a lot going on with the Cularis that may not be obvious until you learn a little more about the finer details.
The Cularis was developed under POC’s Whole Helmet Concept®, designed around rider comfort and protection. It features Aramid bridges for penetration resistance and structural stability, Mips Air Node to reduce rotational forces, and a patented breakaway peak that detaches on impact to limit force transfer. Together, these technologies deliver comprehensive protection across a wide range of crash scenarios, helping keep you safer on every ride.
Another crucial factor for going the distance is comfort, and helmet weight plays a big part. The Cularis is POC’s lightest trail helmet to date, weighing just 350 g (size M), making it easy to forget it’s even on your head.
Yet despite its lightweight design and excellent ventilation, safety remains a priority. The helmet earned a five‑star rating in independent testing by Virginia Tech, offering protection against a range of impact types and forces that better reflect real-world riding conditions than typical lab tests.
Mips® Air Node: Integrated low-friction layer in comfort padding to manage rotational forces during impacts.
Eye Garage: A sticky rubberized section in the air vent keeps the arms in place, allowing you to store the glasses securely. We tried a few glasses…some work better than others.
The patented RECCO® technology is a two-part system, featuring an active detector, carried by the rescuer, and a passive reflector, carried by the user.
🛡️ Safety & Protection
- Mips® Air Node: Integrated low-friction layer in comfort padding to manage rotational forces during impacts.
- Aramid Bridges: Reinforced areas between the shell and liner to enhance structural stability and penetration protection.
- Extended Protection Zones: Additional coverage around the temples and back of the head for increased safety.
- Patented Breakaway Peak: Designed to detach upon impact, reducing neck strain and potential injury.
- RECCO: Searchable technology.
💨 Ventilation & Comfort
- CFD-Optimised Ventilation: Utilises computational fluid dynamics to optimise airflow, keeping the rider cool at various speeds.
- Optimised Heat Flow: Strategically placed vents to effectively dissipate heat during rides.
- Lightweight Design: Weighs approximately 350g (size M, EU standard), offering comfort without compromising safety.
🔧 Fit & Adjustability
- Adjustable 360° Fit System: Allows for a secure and personalised fit.
- Fidlock® Magnetic Buckle: Enables easy, one-handed fastening and unfastening.
- Eye Garage: Convenient storage space in the front vents for sunglasses during rides.
🧱 Construction
- PC Shell: Durable polycarbonate shell providing structural integrity.
- EPS Liner: Expanded polystyrene liner designed to absorb impact energy.
That custom fit feel: The Cularis offers a fantastic fit thanks to the BOA Dial, plush internal padding, and the Fidlock buckle closure — all working together so snugly you’ll wonder if the helmet was custom-made for your head.
Out On The Trails
As with any good helmet, once on your noggin it should just melt into the background and nothing noticeable should niggle you. And to be honest, that’s what the Cularis does. We experienced no creaks or slippage. The helmet has a very good fit, especially once the Boa feature was dialed in.
Using advanced heat-flux modeling and CFD testing, usually reserved for road helmets, POC tuned the airflow to work at any speed — keeping you cool on brutal climbs and comfortable when you’re flying down fast, flowing descents.
One of the first things we noticed about the POC Cularis was just how comfortable it is — even in the unforgiving heat of the Australian summer. The oversized air vents do an incredible job of keeping airflow constant, stopping that sweaty, overheating feeling that can ruin a ride. Combined with its refined fit and sleek shape, the Cularis delivers all-day comfort that feels effortless.
After several long days of testing in hot conditions, this was one helmet we didn’t want to rip off at the end of a ride. There are no pressure points, no Boa dial digging into your skull, and at just 350g it’s so light you barely notice it’s there. That reduction in weight translates into less fatigue, both physically and mentally, so you finish rides fresher and sharper.
But the real magic lies in how the Cularis blends comfort with class-leading safety. Knowing you’ve got one of the safest open-face helmets on the market strapped to your head gives you confidence — not to take reckless risks, but to ride with the assurance that if things go wrong, you’re wearing the best possible protection.
Conclusions
In short, the POC Cularis strikes an impressive balance between comfort, ventilation, and world-class safety. Lightweight and well-ventilated, it keeps your head cool and fatigue-free, while advanced technologies like Mips Air Node, RECCO, and the breakaway peak ensure top-tier protection. Whether you’re tackling technical climbs or blasting fast descents, the Cularis delivers confidence and peace of mind, making it one of the most compelling open-face trail helmets on the market.
Price/Where to buy
POC Cularis helmet: $350.00AUD
You can purchase directly from the POC website or ask your local bike shop if they stock them.
Sizing: Small 51-54 / Medium 55-58 / Large 59-62
Colours: 9 colour ways to choose from.
