Current designs

WHEN POC FIRST STARTED UP, there were two types of helmets on the market. Firstly, the traditional helmet with a hard shell and a liner of softer expanded polystyrene (EPS) which has good penetration resistance and energy distribution properties. The disadvantage of the hard shell is that upon impact, the hard structure causes a sudden stop. The brain may continue to move in the direction of travel and the impact is not absorbed very well. The hard shell is also quite heavy which may cause the helmet to bounce off the ground on impact. These properties can lead to brain damage and whiplash injuries.

THE SECOND TYPE OF HELMET IS THE ‘IN-MOLD’ TYPE, which originated in the field of cycling. These molded helmets have a thinner shell of hard plastic that covers the ears and the back of the neck.

NORMALLY, BOTH THE TRADITIONAL hard shell and in-mold helmets rely on expanded Polystyrene (EPS) for the shock absorption. EPS absorbs energy by plastic deformation, meaning it is deformed permanently upon impact. Therefore, a helmet liner made of EPS will not be good at absorbing repetitive shocks. Another aspect that is not taken into account in traditional helmets is the effects of rotational violence, which is a major risk at oblique impacts.

Six different helmet concepts for six different needs.

”Semi-hard shell” 2.0 helmets

WHEN FIRST developed and launched season 2005/2006, the aim of the “semi hard shell” helmets was to combine the advantages of both in-mold and hard shell helmets. The excellent energy absorption properties from the in-mold helmets was achieved by using a thin and light outer shell and the ability to withstand sharp object penetration was solved by adding a barrier made from ballistic aramid. POC has been refining the concept over a couple of seasons and is now presenting the second generation of these helmets, the “semi hard shell 2.0” collection. By studying today’s top ski racers, it was evident that a helmet used for ski racing is likely to be exposed for repeated violence from hitting gates at high speed. The updated helmets are therefore equipped with a liner of Expanded Polypropylene (EPP) instead of EPS. The difference between the materials is that EPP, unlike EPS, does not deform permanently on impact and is therefore suitable to absorb repetitive shocks. The outer shell is also updated for increased durability and optimized for the new liner material (all Skull helmets).

Unique in-mold helmets

STARTING FROM the amazing properties of our Skull Comp helmet, we have taken the technology further by incorporating the Aramid ballistic penetration barrier APB, into a series of in-mold helmets – Synapsis. This has enabled us to overcome the traditional problems of in-mold helmets breaking easily and not being able to withstand penetration. The Synapsis helmets are designed to offer extreme lightweight, ventilation and comfort without compromising safety. The helmets have soft foam pads for a perfect individual fit and detachable ear pads (all Synapsis helmets).

Double shell helmets

IMPROVING PROPERTIES such as better shock absorption, lower weight and penetration resistance are some of the major advantages solved by using POC’s patent pending Aramid ballistic penetration barrier: APB. Transferring these qualities and lessons learned into a fully ventilated system has led to the new revolutionary, patent pending; Ventilated- Double-Shell-Anti-Penetration: VDSAP.

THE CONCEPT WAS initially developed for the Receptor + all season helmet. A helmet developed and certified in Europe and the US for skiing, snowboarding, skateboarding, biking and water sports. VDSAP is built with double shells, placed offset, for maximum penetration resistance and has channels in between to evacuate heat, moisture or water. The inner shell is an extremely thin in-mold shell, while the outer shell is a hard shell of ABS and PC. The properties are amazing and used in all Receptor helmets and the Cortex DH.

Optimized vent helmets

SOME MARKETS have asked us to come up with a super ventilated helmet, adjustable for cold days. With the experience gained from previous models, innovations and patents, we have come up with a cocktail of different ventilation concepts, all included in one helmet. When using an adjustable system, there is also the challenge of keeping weight down. The solution combines three different ventilation systems. At the front, there is the POC patent VDSAP, a double shell solution where air is transported between two layers of shell, to avoid direct wind and to withstand penetration from sharp objects. At the back, there are ventilation holes for the helmet to function as a chimney, where air is pulled from the front to the rear.

ON TOP, the helmet has generous ventilation with six vents, that may be closed or semi-closed with a turning-devise. This combination makes the helmet very airy and very light (all Frontal helmets). Carbon Fiber helmets

Carbon Fiber helmets

SO FAR, carbon fiber helmets haven’t made too much sense. The methods of industrially laying carbon fiber have been counterproductive to the goal of thin, light shells that deform or destruct at certain stress points. The shells have been too stiff and too thick for use in ski helmets.

HOWEVER, thanks to a new method, we can make a super-thin and superlight carbon fiber shell, which is highly flexible and makes sense to use in a ski helmet. Unfortunately the technique is still very expensive but it’s so good that we want to introduce it in a new line of Skull Helmets; Super Skull Comp.

Multi directional impact protection system helmets

TRADITIONAL HELMET testing methods only test vertical falls. However, the real situation is that, if crashing at speed, the impact will be oblique. In turn, this means that the helmet and head will start rotating when hitting the ground, resulting in rotational forces to the brain. The brain is highly sensitive to this kind of violence.