Swedish brand POC has built an international reputation on safety, innovation and design so it was not much of a surprise when they announced new technology for its 2018 helmet collection. In particular, the companies latest design is SPIN, a new and unique helmet technology created to counter the effects of rotational impacts.

SPIN Technology

The industry already has MIPS and POC was one of the first companies, back in 2008, to utilise this technology. MIPS added a low friction, plastic liner to allow a small range (up to 15mm) of rotational movement during an impact. This rotational movement allows the head to continue moving in the direction it was already travelling so redirecting some of which the energy within the crash rather than sending it straight to the head and brain. POC has this year decided to develop a new solution that it claims is simpler, lighter and allows a better fit. POC hasn’t dropped MIPS, yet, but it has spent two years developing its own version which aims to offer the same benefits but without the drawback of limiting fit.

The new technology is best explained in the words of POC CEO, Jonas Sjögren, “Over the last ten years POC has developed a wealth of knowledge around helmet technology, materials and design, and SPIN, which stands for ‘Shearing Pad INside’, is our brand new patent-pending rotational impact protection system. Working with medical experts in POC Lab we know that oblique impacts are common and can cause serious head injury due to a rotation of the helmet and head. To counter oblique impacts, we have created SPIN pads, which are optimized to provide rotational impact protection based on the precise location inside the helmet. The objective is to minimize the effects of an oblique fall by allowing the helmet to move relative to the head.”

SPIN will be integrated into many of POC’s existing award winning helmet models, including the Tectal Race and Octal X. SPIN will also feature in the brand new helmet the Coron Air, which is designed specifically for the needs of modern day DH and Enduro riders. The lightweight Coron Air has been developed with more ventilation channels and enhanced airflow to keep riders cool and take in as much air as possible whilst riding all day or through race transfer stages.

POC has produced this video to demonstrate how the SPIN pads are intended to work.

Clarity Lens Technology

POC has also developed brand new lens technology, Clarity, which will feature in road, mountain bike and urban eyewear, and is complemented by a new goggle design.

Jonas Sjögren, said  “We have developed Clarity with industry leaders, Carl Zeiss, to provide unique, highly tuned lenses which have light frequencies created for specific activities and environments and which will provide enhanced contrast and light. Better vision will support performance and faster reactions.”

Clarity lenses will be integrated into POCs current activity specific eyewear collections and a brand new DH and Enduro specific goggle, the Ora, is announced for 2018. The Ora goggle has been designed to work seamlessly with POC helmets, in particular, the Tectal Race, Coron Air and Coron.

For more information keep an eye on POC's website.