
User submitted reviews
Review by Anonymous
This helmet has perfect balance of lightweight, aero, comfort, safety (proprietary MIPS equivalent) and ventilation. Most helmets out there compromise at least one of these factors, but the Ventral checks all those boxes. With my old Specialized Evade my head used to get warm on hot days with sweat dripping down onto my sunglasses, by comparison the Ventral is super breezy.
I live in SoCal, so having a ventilated and aero helmet is important for me. Ive use helmets from Specialized, Giro and Lazer and the Ventral is my favorite and most comfortable so far.
Size wise I am typically on the upper end of a medium, with some brands a large. The Ventral medium was too narrow, but the large is a perfect fit and doesnt appear big on my head. I would best compare the sizing to Kask helmets after trying both on.
Review by mountainlab
I love this helmet. It's my second. First one crashed out. It's definitely safe. It is very well vented, keeps the top of my head out of the sun, and is surprisingly quiet on fast stretches. My best guess is that is due to being aero. The benefit is that the wind noise doesn't drown out traffic noise. I like hearing what's coming...I also very much like the fit and construction. Everything is solid, less finicky/fragile than other big brand helmets I have owned.
Review by daohaus
Package arrived promptly and it was much needed as my S-Works Prevail helmet was well over 10 years old. So I needed something a bit newer.
Packaging is what you would expect for a helmet.
Fit: this helmet fits my big head perfectly. With the fine adjustment knob at the back it really made fitting into this helmet much easier. When riding, you definitely feel more of the air going through, I will wait for the warmer months to see how this truly works.
Review by MaddieSF
I made the switch from Giro to POC a few months ago and couldn't be happier. The white one is great for early morning rides when the sun is still rising it is much more visible. The air flow is great and the helmet is light I never think about it on my head. I got this on sale and would not have paid $280 for it as I don't find it much different than my Octal which was like $150. I got a M and could have probably gotten a S but it fits fine!
Review by Paul
The Ventral Spin fits exactly like my Ventral Air Spin, and weighs just 19g more (298g vs 279g). The Medium helmet fits nicely on my 57cm circumference head, with ample room for a cap underneath. I've only worn the Ventral Spin on cold and mild days, so I can't say how it performs in hot weather. However, it does seem "quieter" on windy days than other helmets I own. Fluorescent orange is great for safety, especially during low-light fall and winter days.
The helmet's only downsides pertain to sunglasses: 1) the "sunglass garage" flat out doesn't work, and 2) the arms of my POC Do Half Blades bump the helmet's back edges behind my ears if I don't position the arms just right. I've read this is a problem with other sunglasses as well, but don't have other sun glasses to test for comparison.
Review by Solpedaler
Let me start by saying I've been cycling since before helmets "were a thing." I've enjoyed using many brands and have switched periodically to try new styles, technologies and various innovations. On that front POC has always been intriguing. What better way to try a new brand than dive directly into their flagship product...the Ventral Air Spin with NFC chip, wow! Like many under the current circumstances I made the purchase on-line, because I had no other choice. The helmet arrived packaged adequately. Immediately I try it on and dive into adjustments...first red flag. This helmet HAS NO EAR STRAP ADJUSTMENTS for length. In my case the ear strap falls directly over my ear...thinking this can't be right I send a note the POC folks thinking I must be missing something obvious. In response I'm told to adjust the position of the rear strap, which has nothing to do with the ear strap. Clearly the helmet is poorly designed, the issue appears to be common (i.e. I have a normal shaped head...as do all the other folks noting the same issue). Assuming a company like POC would simply say..."no worries, we get it, perhaps you got a bad run" or "yikes, want to try a different style?" I asked for their support. What they did say was "a design revision is under consideration (note to reader - this means they know this is problem), but you purchased what you did...so tough $_it."
Good thing Bike Tires Direct is a stand up company...returned and never again to purchase POC garbage.
Simply said - POOR DESIGN, WORSE CUSTOMER SUPPORT/ATTITUDE (POC that is). No adjustment to the ear steps, foam core looks like my helmets from the '80s, super cheep. Would not recommend to anyone.
Review by dlb
The fit is top-notch, no pressure points at all. I'm not the most aero rider in the world, but I can actually feel a slight difference with this helmet. Almost like my head cuts through the wind better. Still has good ventalition.
Review by Ukexpat
Reposting review which originally showed up as anonymous
I bought the Ventral SPIN (orange, large) to replace a three year old Octal MIPS (also orange, large) that was damaged in a minor (and rather embarrassing) crash. I have not experienced any issues with the fit compared to the older helmet - fits just as well even over a Headsweats. The old helmet was well ventilated, but this one is even better. I really like the high visibility (but the old helmet had clearly faded a bit in the sun as the new one is much more orange). No complaints at all.
Review by DEA
Every manufacture has a slightly different internal shape affecting their fit. I have a fairly small head and the POC Helmet fits perfectly snug without discomfort. Further, during the hot summer months there's enough ventilation to keep my head as cool as can be. Heaven forbid, the helmet fit increases my confidence in the event of a crash.
Review by Jezmo911
Well ventilated for an aero helmet. Fits my head and is much more streamlined than the previous Octal Aero version. Light enough and works with my multiple types of sunglasses (POC, Tifosi and Gooder). No complaints other than getting mistaken for a hipster.
Review by Brian
I have a rather round head, and most bike helmets are designed for a more oval shape, and just don't fit me. This helmet does. Beautifully. It's light, and just as it claims, is very cool in the heat. And it doesn't look like you're wearing a cheesehead lol.
Review by Anonymous
I have tried for many months to find a helmet that exceeded my expectations, and when I found the POC, it was a huge surprise. It was perfect in all aspects. I highly recommend this brand. They are the best
Review by @gSporco
Well what can I say Aero and Ventilated? Yep its both. Comfortable and feature rich? Yep its both..
Plenty of vents to keep your head cool on moderate hot days and still good for those cold days.
Super comfortable straps and padding and with a MIPs like spin capability for safety.
Long time Giro user now converted to POC..
And, BTD is the best place to purchase from
Review by David
hi vis orange color is loud and makes me feel safer. Great POC size, fit, and color.
Review by Anonymous
Excellent fit and very comfotable and light. Highly recommend.
Review by otoman
This helmet checks a lot of boxes aero, MIPSSpin, high scoring on helmet safety tests, well ventilated. I've used it on several hot, humid rides and never felt it was underventilated. I have a long narrow head and it fits me well. Other helmets that have fit me well are Lazer GenesisZ1, Kask Protone. GiroBell fit me terribly, made for round, bowling ball-like heads.
The straps are interesting - you can't really adjust the length under your ears but you can adjust the foreaft position of the junction. For me the straps were low enough but in order to get the angle of the helmet on my head correct, the front strap is positioned further forward on my face than most other helmets. Not bad, just different.
Very comfortable, would buy again. I hope not to need to for years.
Review by Billyc
POC is a light weight. Excellent fit.
Comfortable on warm days.
Review by Billyc
POC is a light weight. Excellent fit.
Comfortable on warm days.
Review by Anonymous
I've been wearing various POC helmets my whole riding life, last once met an untimely retirement and I needed to replace it asap. Shipped on time and was on sale when I ordered it.
Review by Jim
Well made with comfortable fit and strap. Plenty of ventilation. I recommend using a scull cap to keep sun off your head since vent holes are large.