Ranked #1 by Virginia Tech’s independent helmet testing, the POC Cularis proves you don’t have to compromise on safety for the sake of style.
Key Details – POC Cularis MTB Helmet
- RRP: $350 AUD
- Weight: 362g (size small, tested)
- Certification: CPSC / CE / EN / AS/NZS
- Sizes: Small (51–54cm), Medium (55–58cm), Large (59–62cm)
- Features: Fidlock magnetic closure
POC has never been just about making helmets – they’re about reimagining what protection on the bike should look like. Hailing from Sweden, the brand has always balanced clean aesthetics with a very serious focus on safety, being the first helmet brand to integrate MIPS slip-liners into their designs. POC prides itself on working with athletes, scientists, and medical experts to inform their design choices.
While POC’s unique aesthetics have – at times – been divisive, their early road helmets often provoked comments about whether you’re off for a bike ride or a lap of Mario Kart. Those first lids featured a distinctive, mushroom-like shape reminiscent of everyone’s favourite 64-bit karting fungi, Toad.
Moving a few years on, POC’s commitment to safety is unwavering, but they’ve adapted to the times and the demands of the modern cyclist. We recently reviewed the POC Cytal gravel and cross-country helmet, and have now been riding the POC Cularis – their latest addition to the mountain bike range.
First Impressions of the POC Cularis Helmet
First things first – the colour. I love to test helmets in a bright hue, and nothing beats a pop of colour for a photo shoot. In real life, though, I can confirm this is the orangest helmet I have ever seen. For those less enamoured with the lairy tangerine, the Cularis is also available in black, grey, white, ‘parasite green’, red, and black/white.
It’s easy to see the new POC Cularis has taken some style direction from the POC Cytal – the vents are forward-facing and narrow, while the overall weight remains light at a feathery 362g (tested, size small).
While the vents appear a little smaller than on other helmets we’ve reviewed recently, POC states that ventilation has been at the forefront of design, using CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) to optimise airflow and cooling.
With an EPS liner, polycarbonate shell, redesigned shape, and MIPS Air Node liner, the POC Cularis debuted as the top-ranked helmet by Virginia Tech in March 2025 – the globally referenced independent safety tester for bicycle helmets.
Long-term MIPS users will notice a departure from the yellow slip liner of previous generations. Instead, the MIPS Air Node is a black, fabric-lined insert that reduces rotational acceleration in the event of impact. Personally, I found it much more comfortable than earlier MIPS liners, which could snag hair.
POC’s commitment to safety isn’t just about rotational forces. The Cularis’ break-away peak is designed to fly off in the case of a collision with a branch, tree, or the ground, reducing the transfer of impact forces and allowing the other extensive safety features to do their thing.
Trail testing the POC Cularis
The best helmets on the market just disappear when you ride – hardly noticeable at all. The POC Cularis passed that test easily, being lightweight and unobtrusive, with no pressure points or hotspots on my very average-shaped head.
The Fidlock buckle is always a win, with a satisfying snap when the magnets align. The visor has multiple positions but is quite stiff, so I found it easier to adjust with two hands. The break-away peak can also be removed if you want to dabble in cross-country or other lycra-adjacent pursuits.
The adjustment range on the Cularis takes some initial fiddling, but once set up, it allows a very comfortable, personalised fit. The retention dial at the rear fine-tunes the hold, while the straps can be adjusted up, down, and side to side – ensuring that perfect fit with a bit of care.
One thing I noticed: the rear dial sits quite close to the base of the shell, meaning riders with longer hair will need to run a ponytail underneath. Not a deal-breaker, but those who’ve used a helmet with a ponytail port will know the luxury of that extra feature.
Our Take on the POC Cularis
Overall, I was very happy with the POC Cularis. It’s an exceptionally comfortable, light, and adjustable helmet packed with safety features. At $350, it’s not cheap – but at the end of the day, can you really put a price on looking after your noggin?
