POC Trabec Race Helmet

I’ve had POC’s Trabec Race helmet for about a week now, and have already gotten a feel for how this helmet performs. I was initially offput by the bulk and looks of the helmet, but now that I’ve used it for a while I don’t care how I look in it.

The Trabec Race helmet is quite unique looking helmet. Unlike a regular helmet that looks like an extension of your head, it looks like a balloon was squished over it. I don’t in the slightest argue that it’s not an atrocity to look at, but it shouldn’t be ruled out just for it’s looks. The ugly duckling as I call it does perform very well even though there are some small design flaws.

The first and most annoying flaw is that it cannot hold your sunglasses when it gets dark or are going inside. I have tried multiple ways to get my shades to stay in the helmet when I don't need them, but every way I try they still fall out. This is the only helmet that I have ever had do this, and because my team rides always end with me riding home in the dark makes it a huge nuisance. The second flaw is the visor. I hate riding with a visor on my helmet, but without it the helmet gets even more  hideous. I would like to see another model that is meant not to be used with a visor. The last flaw is the looks, but once it is on my head I forget about it.

But for me all these flaws can be overlooked, because the the overall performance of this helmet is amazing. Your head will stay cool in this helmet, even though there are only a few vents compared to a more conventional helmet. The reason you can stay cool will less vents is in the superbe way the vents are placed, and the small gap between the helmet and your head. The gap allows the air to get pulled along your head, and this reduces the amount of vents needed. Another great part about this helmet is the padding. It is by far the most comfortable helmet I have ever worn. The padding will keep you comfortable all day, and even has an antimicrobial treatment to keep it from smelling. The helmet also has an easy one handed adjustability that allows you to loosen or tighten the helmet on the bike. But the most important feature is the safety. Even though the helmet looks like it sits on top of the head, it actually wraps around it to make it safer. The lack of vents keeps rocks from directly hitting your head when you crash. Everything about this helmet is aimed toward comfort and safety, and I have seen it in action.

Last season in early spring when the the paths without sunlight were still solid sheets of ice my teammate crashed. We weren’t going very fast, but his head was the first thing to hit. I was right behind him and heard a terrible smack when his head hit the ground. I knew immediately that he was knocked out, and if he wasn’t wearing his helmet he would have easily broken his skull. This was the second time he had had a crash straight onto the back of his head, and thanks to his POC only had a minor concussion. I believe that if he had been wearing a regular helmet he would have had a much more severe concussion. So purely from a safety aspect I believe this helmet is the future, and after they work out a few of those small issues it will be the ultimate helmet.