Just bought a POC Ventral SPIN as a crash replacement to my Octal. I’ll let you know how it is when it gets here but I loved my octal before. Felt like an AC unit on my head.
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I love my Rudy glasses 
Best advice I can give on choosing helmet is to look at this research: MIPS and Sliding Resistance of Bicycle Helmets
That’s basically all you need to know considering helmet safety before choosing one for yourself.
Second most important thing is fit. Try a few different makes on and see what’s comfortable, because if it isn’t comfortable then you won’t wear it and if you wear it it might not protect you as well as it could.
Talking about models comparison I’d recommend checking not the first reviews on the topic, but niche websites, like these:
https://www.cyclingweekly.com/group-test/best-bike-helmet-buyers-guide
https://www.thegeekcyclist.com/best-things/bike-helmet/
https://outdoorsly.org/best-mountain-bike-helmet/
I have my eyes on it. Bontarager has always been my prefered choice but I want to make a chance. Do you think I should go for it?
Bontrager has a 30 day guarantee so you could test it out and return it if you don’t like it.
I bought the Bontrager Velocis MIPS as I cant cope in the heat with a closed helmet. Extremely comfortable, and great ventilation. Can’t speak for the aerodynamics obviously as I don’t have a wind tunnel test centre to hand.
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Didn’t want to open new topic so I’ll just bump this one. I’m considering to buy POC Omne Air and would appreciate any comments from the owners. Thanks!
Love my Kask valergro… well did love, prety sure my i owe it my life.
Have replaced it with a Kask Mojito
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Have the same, I really like it. Still don’t think anything beats my POC Octal for comfort though, but it’s not MIPS.
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Lets bump this again…
I’ve been using a Bell 3R for a few years now. Unfortunately, I did not buy the face bar component as didn’t see a need at the time.
Fast forward and there are definitely times when I’d like to have a face / chin protection. Skill days, practicing jumps and drops. You guys get it. I’ve adapted to wearing elbow and knee pads and padded liners, so may as well protect my teeth too.
Wondering what folks are liking in today’s market and the detachable chin-bar vs full face helmet pros and cons. Most of my riding is trail and going up is as important as going down. Am leaning toward one of the lighter, single piece full face helmets and seeing if it’s light enough and cool (heat-wise) enough vs the detachable route.
If they offered this in a MIPS version, I’d be all over it.
Looking for some advice, I recently returned a POC Ventral Air, because the oval shape simply doesn’t play nice with my head, squeezing at the temples unless I go for way too big a size. It was beautiful quality so I’m disappointed. Looking for a replacement for a Giro Aether which served me well and fit much better, but perhaps quality wasn’t the same level as the POC.
Is Kask a good option, maybe the Protone? The old version is pretty cheap now and doesn’t seem much different to the new one! Spesh also is a bit too oval for me having tried one. Looking for a vented helmet, white preferably…!
If Giro fits you, why not go for another Giro?
The quality difference between POC and Giro was a bit of an eye opener, the Giro doesn’t have nice straps and the vents don’t hold glasses that well. I’ve heard very good things about Kask as well in the quality department, and fit apparently is similar. Will try before I buy but wanted to see if anyone had suggestions for similar fitting lids that tick the quality box.
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I love my POC Ventral, so I’m the wrong person to respond, but do you subscribe to CyclingTips? James Huang would be a good person to ask if you do. He reviews lots of helmets and comments on fit for head shape.
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I have a Kask Utopia and an first-Gen Bambino. The faux leather straps are kinda overkill, IMO. Makes for a stiff strap under the chin (but not necessarily uncomfortable).
Been awhile since I wore the Bambino, but I have been very happy overall with the Utopia. Excellent ventilation, especially for an aero road helmet. The fit feel is different than other helmets, though so definitely try one on before you buy.
There isn’t a horizontal sweat pad in the front (which helps significantly with the ventilation….instead there are two long pads running the length of the helmet that feel like they grip your head from the top down (most helmets feel like they are gripping around the circumference of your head). I have completely adjusted to it, but it was an odd sensation at first.
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