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Swedish helmet manufacturer Poc presents the Cularis, a completely newly developed helmet for the trail sector. According to the manufacturer, this is intended to complement the existing product range and lead the collection for the 2025 cycling season. The Cularis was specially designed for trail use and is characterised by optimised ventilation and improved protective functions.
Focus on security and performance
Poc's product developer Oscar Huss emphasises that the company's clear safety mission serves as inspiration to continuously question and improve existing concepts. The company has extensive expertise in the development of highly ventilated, comfortable, aerodynamic and protective helmets.
With the Cularis, the aim was to take another step forwards. In particular, the findings from real-life test situations and research should flow into the refinement of details and the improvement of helmet performance.
Poc Cularis: Optimised trail helmet
The Cularis was developed as a trail helmet and builds on the heritage of existing Poc mountain bike helmets such as the Tectal and the Kortal. It retains the characteristic silhouette and comprehensive head protection designed for safe trail riding.
The Cularis is also characterised by significantly improved air circulation and cooling. This aspect was optimised using CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) analyses, incorporating findings from the development of highly ventilated racing bike helmets.
Lightweight with integrated features
The Cularis is primarily aimed at trail bikers who value excellent ventilation and low weight. It integrates numerous well thought-out details such as a Mips Air Node to improve protection in the event of rotational falls and a Fidlock fastener for easy handling.
A precise adjustment system, a rubberised goggle holder and a removable peak complete the equipment package. This makes the Cularis a versatile mountain bike helmet designed to optimise both protection and comfort on long trail tours.
Fox also has something of a classic in its helmet line-up with the Speedframe, which is designed to protect trail and enduro bikers in particular. This season, a brand-new version is being launched on the market in three different versions. We have already been able to test the Fox Speedframe Pro.
Innovative ventilation technology
When developing the Cularis, the engineers orientated themselves on the ventilation concepts of Poc's World Tour road bike helmets. The focus was on capturing air at the front of the helmet and channelling it through the helmet to achieve effective cooling. CFD simulations were used to analyse and optimise the air flow. The result is a helmet that offers excellent ventilation performance despite its protective function.
Safety as the foundation of the Poc Cularis
Poc emphasises that safety is the central element of every trail helmet. The Cularis has an optimised shape, a precisely shaped EPS liner and a polycarbonate outer shell. This combination is designed to offer a good balance between low weight and effective protection against linear and oblique impacts. In tests conducted by the renowned Virginia Tech Institute, the helmet achieved the top rating of five stars.
Sophisticated safety features
A seamlessly integrated Mips Air Node System is designed to improve protection in the event of rotational impacts. Poc is also introducing the so-called "Break-Away" peak. This is designed to detach from the helmet in the event of a fall or getting caught on a branch. This is intended to keep forces away from the neck and minimise the risk of injury. The detached peak can then be reattached to the helmet.
Practical everyday functions
The Cularis has a rubberised goggle holder, which can be particularly practical on long climbs or when daylight is fading. The helmet is equipped with a Fidlock magnetic fastener for easy handling, even with one hand.
The adjustment system enables 360-degree customisation, adjustable straps in all directions and vertical adjustment at the back of the head. These functions are designed to ensure a customised fit and therefore optimum wearing comfort.
Sweet Protection presents three new full-face helmets for the new MTB season for bike park & downhill: The top model Fixer Carbon Mips, the mid-range model Fixer Composite Mips and the enduro version Strayer Mips.
Poc Cularis: Technical data, details & price
- Field of application: Trail mountain biking
- Construction: EPS liner, polycarbonate outer shell
- Security systems: Mips Air Node, break-away glider
- Ventilation: Air flow optimised by means of flow simulation (CFD)
- Closure: Fidlock magnetic fastener
- Adjustment system: 360-degree adjustment, adjustable straps, vertical occipital adjustment
- Additional features: Integrated glasses holder
- Weight: 359 grams (Medium)
- Sizes: Small: 50-56 centimetres / Medium: 54-59 centimetres / Large: 56-61 centimetres
- Price: 230 Euro >> available here
First driving impression
As soon as we put it on, we can confirm that Poc has really worked on the fit. The Cularis is noticeably narrow. The new cut should suit bikers with a more oval head. On wide heads, however, the Cularis could lead to pressure points, especially at the temples.
If the helmet fits, it can be neatly adjusted to the head using the small dial and the 360-degree adjustment ring and then sits extremely securely even on rough descents. The weight is appropriate for the trail category. However, the Cularis is not particularly light.
Without having tested the ventilation in the laboratory, we would say that the new trail helmet has a fairly good air supply. The helmet also sits comfortably in the long term without getting too sweaty.
The magnetic buckle fastening is particularly convenient. However, the visor is very difficult to adjust. On the first few rides, the visor jumped out of the guide several times and could not be adjusted correctly again while riding.
For the price of 230 euros, we would also have liked an automatic height adjustment at the rear. At the top level, the dial is also somewhat difficult to reach. Overall, the Poc Cularis trail helmet delivers a solid, if not perfect, performance.
Stefan Frey
Editor
