POC Omne Air Bike Helmet - Whether cycling to work, exploring gravel tracks or on the local trails, the helmet gives trusted protection

Product Information

One reason not every helmet has a Virginia Tech test result is that not every manufacturer agrees with the test protocol. Particularly notable in that realm is Kask who has publicly disputed the headforms that Virginia Tech, and MIPS, use to test. The brand states: "Most helmet tests use rotational impact prevention technologies with headforms that have a higher coefficient of friction than those of the human skull and therefore may not reflect what occurs in some accidents." Because of that stance, Kask has developed a unique test protocol using a different headform and they aren't alone. Rudy Project also has a unique test protocol that carries a similar name to the Kask WG11 Protocol.

Another reason that not every helmet carries a score seems to have more to do with the volume of releases. There are a lot of helmets and Virginia Tech has only tested 188. Even brands like POC, who have submitted older helmets, have newer helmets without a rating. Sweet Protection isn't as well known as some brands but the brand has been making high-quality helmets and cycling sunglasses for a number of years. You might also recognize the brand as the helmet partner to Pas Normal. It's the sunglasses connection that ultimately landed this helmet on the list though. On the inside, you will find a MIPS Integra system. In the past POC had a system developed without MIPS that went by the name of SPIN or Shearing Pads INside. That system was basically a series of gel filled dots that allowed for rotational movement in a crash. MIPS Integra takes the same idea of using gel but moves it to the inside of the front section of padding, as well as a low friction coating under the Velcro-attached pads. You can't feel any of it while riding but it allows the helmet to rotate separate from your head in a crash and that's the idea. Over the last few years, the best road bike helmets have started to split in the same way that wheels or frames have. There are climbers helmets and there are aero helmets. The Giro Aries Spherical Helmet falls into the climber's helmet category meaning it's aimed at being lightweight and highly ventilated. When we put together a buyer's guide we test as many products as possible. The point is not to include every single thing but rather to find the best. Sometimes that means there are excellent products that just didn't quite make the final cut. In this case, there were a number of options that fit that criteria.

The big difference between the two is that Smith adds Zonal Koroyd in addition to MIPS. Koroyd looks a bit like a handful of straws and the idea is that it actually replaces some of the foam to add rotational impact protection right into the helmet itself. There's another interesting effect of the Koroyd though. There's more to the POC Omne MIPS than just style though. For one thing, the cutoff points for the sizes are different from most brands. POC shifts everything down slightly and that will make it easier for some people, like me, to find the right size. If you often find yourself between sizes, this is a great option.

The only thing you'll want to keep in mind is that Wavecel does limit access through the helmet. It's a little less breezy, and you can't scratch your head without removing the helmet. Probably the first thing that comes to mind for most people is safety. That's why we wear helmets so it makes sense to consider it. Thankfully though, every helmet sold will meet the standards required for the place it's sold. We have a list dedicated to the best cheap bike helmets and we also have something for the best aero helmets, which tend to be on the expensive end, but no matter the price point your helmet will have the protection you need.

Unfortunately, POC doesn't seem to have submitted the latest version of the Omne Air, now with MIPS instead of SPIN, to Virginia Tech for testing. It also seems like the Omne Ultra MIPS would be the perfect helmet to have extra high-friction pads to keep sunglasses in place when stowed on the helmet. The SPIN system certainly isn’t noticeable — it feels just like regular cushioning pads. I’ve worn the helmet over longer rides, and it’s never felt anything but good to wear.