Poc Barocon: 800 euros for the toughest helmet in downhill – is it worth it?

​With the Barocon Carbon, POC is launching a full-face helmet that is the first DH helmet to carry US motorcycle certification. That sounds impressive. What’s behind it – and whether it really does mean greater safety. And above all: how much it costs!

The helmet with the motorbike logo

POC, based in Sweden, has equipped the Barocon Carbon with a certification that no other DH helmet has yet achieved: DOT FMVSS 218 – the US motorcycle standard. It also carries the standard cycling certifications: ASTM F1952 for downhill and ASTM F2032 for BMX. That sounds like plenty of safety. There is, however, one small catch: the Barocon Carbon does not meet the European motorcycle standard ECE R22.06. The Fox Rampage RS, priced at $699, and the Leatt 8.0 Gravity, priced at $429.95, pass the chin strap test in accordance with ECE R22.06 – yet they still cannot be officially certified as motorbike helmets. POC itself also expressly emphasises that the Barocon Carbon is a mountain bike helmet, not a motorbike helmet. Anyone who sets off on a ride against the flow of traffic wearing it has only themselves to blame.

A quick explanation: At FREERIDE, we’ve been testing downhill full-face helmets to the European motorcycle standard for years. The reason is simple: speeds in downhill riding are constantly increasing, so it’s only logical to test them in accordance with EVE 22.06. Safety engineers on the standards committee are also calling for stricter testing of downhill MTB helmets. In our tests back then, the Specialized Dissident 1 and the Troy Lee D2 withstood the standard impact tests for motorbike helmets.

Carbon, Fusion and a touch of mystery

The outer shell is made of carbon and, according to the manufacturer, is ‘fused’ to the multi-layered EPS liner – not simply glued. POC does not reveal exactly how this process differs from a good adhesive bond. So you simply have to take the manufacturer’s word for it that this improves the structural integrity. Inside is a MIPS Evolve Core liner, which is designed to reduce rotational forces on impact. The padding can be adjusted to different thicknesses, and there are separate chambers for the ears which, according to POC, improve balance. Whether you’ll actually notice the difference the next time you take a tumble remains to be seen.

1,040 grams – mid-range, top price

In size M, the Barocon Carbon weighs in at 1,040 grams. That’s substantial, but not exactly lightweight. By way of comparison, the Fox Rampage RS weighs 980 grams and costs $699. The Lazer A-Line even comes in at 880 grams for $500. For those looking for a cheaper option: the Abus HiDrop comes in at 1,053 grams and costs $200. The POC Barocon Carbon costs $880 – more than double the price of the cheapest alternative. The extra cost can be justified by its carbon construction, MIPS Evolve and DOT certification. Whether it’s worth it for every rider is another matter.

What the standards really mean

It’s worth taking a dispassionate look at this. Historically, the prevailing view in the MTB scene was that motorbike standards were excessive for cycling helmets – simply because the impact energy in MTB crashes is lower than on the motorway. Which is utter nonsense, because the motorcycle testing standard does not simulate motorway speeds (at which point everyone would be dead anyway, as no helmet can protect you). It merely simulates higher speeds, namely 27 km/h and 29.5 km/h instead of 19.5 km/h as in the bicycle standard. And the limit is marginally higher: 275 g instead of 250 g.

POC did, at least, use the ECE R22.06 values as an internal guide – and, according to the company itself, has deliberately built in safety margins as a result. That is commendable. Whether these safety margins justify the price difference compared with well-certified competitors is something everyone must decide for themselves.

Equipment, glasses, team

Practical features: the magnetic visor detaches in a controlled manner upon impact, whilst a D-ring fastening secures the helmet. Ventilation channels ensure air circulation, and sizes S to L cover head circumferences of 54 to 60 centimetres. The Norco Adidas Race Division Team will be riding the Barocon Carbon during the 2026 season. To mark the occasion, POC is launching the Zygon goggles for $150.