POCOctal Helmet(Return to Product Page)

The best thing about this helmet is how light it is--at just 205 gm for the medium and comfortable to wear. I ride about 100 miles a week. The screw to tighten the inner cuff that customizes the fit on your head is small and sits above the neck and is difficult to access when riding. I had another road helmet where the screw was much easier to access on the top I have to fix it on the POC every time I ride and sometimes mid-ride. I also wish this strap fit better but it constantly slips loose and is made of a flimsy material that twists easily. I have a small head but this helmet makes it look big--it has a boxy profile--however it has excellent vents and the color is good and bright for visibility. I wound up ordering another brand for my warm season helmet, which is smaller, has a (preferred) MIPS interior and a slimmer profile that I will use for the warm 6 mos of the year-- and reserve the POC for winter training.

I just purchased my 2nd POC Octal helmet in orange. I was able to get 6 years out of my previous helmet and love the way it fits, breaths, and how light it is. And since orange is my favorite color, I absolutely love that the helmet comes in orange. My wife has the same helmet and loves it as well. I always wear a cycling cap under my helmet and in the winter I put a thermal cap on as well and have zero issues with fit on this helmet. I also love putting my sunglass onto the front of the helmet during long climbs so I don't get sweat on my glasses. If this helmet fits the shape of your head, you will love it. I use mine for road/gravel/commuting rides. And the price and shipping is unbeatable from BTD.

I live in Southwest Florida and have always been someone that has had to deal with excessive sweating, even before I lived here, so ventilation and coolness are of primary importance to me. I tried a Poc Octal because of the reviews that gushed about how well ventilated it was. I have previously worn a Specialized Prevail for years, which is also known to be a well ventilated helmet. But compared to the POC Octal, it isn't even close - the Octal is unbelievable. I immediately felt the wind come into those huge front vents and even felt a constant rush of wind in the hair above my temples, which I never felt with the Prevail. If I put my head down (as in looking at my Garmin or just down at the road), the Octal sent a rush of air out the back and down the back of my shirt - it was amazing. I also found that if I turned my head to check for a car while changing lanes, it even sent a rush of air in through the back.

I also like how the Octal allows you to slide the strap forward or back through the Y below your ears, which I think allows for a much better fit than if it is fixed, like it is on the Prevail.

The Octal also felt as though it cradled my head better than my old helmet and the Octal clearly reaches lower behind your ears and feels more substantial in the back. From a style point of view, I guess that's up to the individual, but I was surprised at how much I really like the look of the Octal (I got the white and it's a pure, bright white). I thought it would be huge, but it's not, and it fits in such a way that it looks correct to me. I caught a great sale at BTD and, as always, it arrived in perfect condition. I wore a medium in the Specialized and a medium was also correct in the Octal.

Light, well ventilated, great coverage...comfortable. What's not to love? My only gripe is that due to its design, Velominati Rule 37, sunglasses must be worn over helmet straps, is impossible to comply with. I'll make an exception for this great lid.

This helmet fits exceptionally well, is extremely lightweight, and has plenty of vents.

Extremely comfortable, great protection (my other POC helmet probably saved my life at least prevented certain sever injury).

My only negative is that the white webbing has yellowed quickly so appears to be dirty in comparison to the white helmet..

I decided it was time to switch and try something else instead of my Catlike Mixino. I had heard good things about the POC Octal and I noticed the sizing might fit me better. I was a large in the Catlike and the POC helmet looked like a medium would be a better fit. The POC medium is a perfect fit while the Catlike was a little awkward. On longer rides I used to get pressure on my forehead from the Catlike and with the POC helmet it's like I'm not wearing anything. It's comfortable, highly adjustable and works well with my sunglasses. I've been using to for about 6 weeks now and I have no complaints.

The Octal offers good airflow, which helps keep your head cool even when riding at lower speeds in high heat. The helmet has quite a bit if overhang around the front and sides to add extra protection if you get thrown face-first into the ground. It's also got a lot of material in back to protect the lower part of your skull. This can get in the way of some sunglass temples, so you may have to play around for the perfect fit. Chinstraps are lightweight and easy to adjust-no chin irritation. Fit is a little big compared to Giro and Kask, I ordered a medium Octal and have plenty of room underneath for a wool cap...The Octal's MSRP is pretty steep, but it's a great value if you can buy it through one of BTD's great sales.

I just returned from a hot California February ride (78F26C) with a lot of climbing. To avoid being sunburned or tiger striped tanned under my very thin hair, I wear a skully. Normally I sweat enough to soak it before the end of the ride. With my new Octal Raceday and the deep vents, I could feel the cooling on descents. Although the profile is a little larger than my very thin Limar it is even lighter. It fits my slightly rounder head well. That is something with which European helmets have difficulties.

I wish it came in additional colors to match my racing bike such as red, black or dayglo yellow. The Granite Red in the BTD info is really a mislabeled Garnet Red-a sort of fuchsia red. The Navy Black is a dark bluish slate, but the white is white. Other than color, if it is as safe as it is comfortable, the price is worth it.

I got this helmet for my husband, after having used one myself for a season. It is one of the most comfortable bike helmet I have ever owned (The only other helmet that rivals the POC is my Troy Lee A1 that I use for mountain biking). I have no pressure points in the POC, and the ventilation is incredible.

With a fit this nice and snug in the summer months, I was a little worried that wearing a winter hat under it would be uncomfortable. Turns out it's not a problem at all. When it's cold and really windy, I usually use a windproof low profile hat, and I don't even notice that. If it's raining or snowing, I fit a headband plus a cycling hat (for the visor) under it just fine. I sometimes get a little bit of a pressure point on my forehead with that combo, but seriously, who can complain with that much stuff crammed in there?

If you're worried about fitting your sunglasses under it, because of the increased coverage in the back, I wouldn't sweat it. At least try it out. I have the worst case scenario combo (long arms on glasses designed to do most of the gripping in the back), and at first I thought I would have to get new glasses. But after a few wears, I got it figured out and it's just fine.

I rarely review products, but I was involved in a bad cycling accident in which my head struck the pavement very hard, and thanks to the POC Octal Helmet I did not even have a concussion. The helmet sustained a lot of damage and cracked, but it saved my head. My body was not so lucky as I had a pelvic fracture, but that will heal and head injuries can be fatal so I am grateful to the quality of this POC helmet.

This helmet is well constructed, well ventilated, light and comfortable. I haven't crash tested it, and hope not to, but it feels like it'll do the job better than lot of helmets I've had over the years. It's going to take a lot to get me to go with any other brand ever again.

Why I like this helmet:

1 - more impact protection than others

2 - large logically placed vents

3 - easy strap tightening

4 - secure place on helmet to place glasses when not wearing

5 - contemporary design

6 - straps fit easily around my ears with out fusing

Don't like:

1 - Sizing slightly off - large

2 - expensive

This is my commuter bike helmet. Easily adjustable, accommodates my Light and Motion 180 light. This is my second POC Octal - this helmet means business. Bought it when BTD put it on sale, so got a great deal.

Just rode with it for the second time and it fits great aerates great. Feels very aerodynamic. My wife tried it on and now i just ordered one for her. Been along time since I ordered a helmet but after seeing the TDF riders wearing them decided sight unseen to go with it. Bought the Zinc Orange to match the color of my Bike.

This helmet ticks all the boxes: light weight, super comfortable, nice venting, looks good,

If I can add anything else to the heaps of praise this helmet earns from me its that of the nearly TEN helmets (Bell, Specialized, Kask, Giro, etc.) I've bought over the past decade+ of enthusiastic pedaling, this is easily the best of the bunch.

Good job, POC!

Having clunked my head on concrete andor pavement on at least two occasions amid crashes, nobody needs to sell me on the importance of a good helmet. So, I don't mind spending on a decent quality lid and have in my time bought at least ten of them.

This one, the POC Octal might just be the best one I've ever had. It checks all the boxes light weight, (very) comfortable, aero, great ventilation. The icing on the cake is that it (in my opinion) looks good. Different from the rest of the herd, but good.

I highly recommend it.

While light and comfortable, this helmet will make your head look HUGE. I'm a big dude (6'4, 200) , so being Aero AF was never a strength in the first place. This helmet suits me well for that same reason - great for cruising, climbing, joy riding, but won't be using it in a Time Trial any time soon.

This helmet replaced another brand after a crash. I've been very pleased with this helmet. Haven't crash tested it and really don't intend to - ha ha. Air flow is great and it's very adjustable. I bought another one at a good price for a backupwinter helmet.

It may cost a little more than others but last Thursday a friend left his bike at speed and landed on the helmet. It did exactly for what you wear a helmet to do - it cracked the shell and split the lining in two. But his head was undamaged other than a small bruise on his cheek.

We are leaving for a ride this morning instead of his funeral. This helmet is cheap at twice the price.