POC Scientific Protection Technology

POC has built a worldwide reputation for safety, born of a scientific approach to new product development. Every one of their products starts from the same place - by identifying and defining a problem. What follows is a meticulous process guided by three core principles: safety, performance, and design. Every product decision is weighed according to these principles until the best possible balance is achieved – but at the core of this product philosophy is a fundament principle – improved protection for the user.

POC is hyper diligent about tracking data. Getting to know all the parameters and unique variables of a particular sport helps POC create products that can not only reduce the consequences of an accident but potentially prevent it happening in the first place.  

POC’s Tech and Research team use extensive testing and extensive research to develop ideas that haven’t been tried before. Bike crash simulations featuring crash test dummies, wind tunnels, and athlete analysis are all employed to remove the assumptions and guesswork that might get in the way of breakthrough innovation  

The POC Lab was created as a scientific forum for open and free discussion of new research ideas and innovation concepts from experts in a range of disciplines. Experts including Magdalena Lindman, who is the Technical Expert in Traffic Safety Data Analysis at Volvo Cars, Dr Per Hamid Ghatan, a brain injury specialist at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden, whose knowledge of brain trauma and concussion helps us more fully understand the difference that having the right protection can make, and Dr Claes Hultling  a pioneer in the treatment of spinal cord injury. Their broad holistic approach inspires us to make protection that benefits people’s lives. 

Alongside these in-house experts and these specialists, the POC Lab forum is the place where POC ski racers, freeriders, and professipnal cyclists, share their ideas, needs and opinions. By understanding these different viewpoints and approaches gives POC a unique insight into problem solving and product development. 

POC has built its reputation on safety-first design, and the company packs a surprising amount of engineered protection into its helmet range. Multiple layers of impact management incorporating Mips integration, energy-absorbing EPS liners and shells shaped to handle linear impacts and improve structural integrity in unusual crash scenarios.  

POC combines tested materials with aerodynamic, ventilation and fit engineering. Computational fluid dynamics is used to shape venting without compromising protection, and variable-density EPS liners are used to tune how different helmet zones respond to impacts.  

Penetration resistance and shell integrity are addressed with aramid reinforcement. POC moulds aramid ‘bridges’ into the EPS liner and connects them to the outer shell to strengthen the helmet against punctures by rocks or branches and to keep the structure intact under severe load. Aramid reinforcement is especially relevant in trail and enduro helmets where impacts with pointed objects are a realistic threat.  

POC patented breakaway peak, prevents it becoming a lever on your neck in a crash, and precision fit-systems promote correct helmet positioning on your head – which is a critical factor in the amount of protect your helmet can give you.

POC’s safety thinking also extends to protection for your eyes, back, hands, limbs and rescue scenarios. POC VPD (Visco-elastic Polymer Dough) pads are flexible at rest and stiffen on impact, for high energy absorption in knee, elbow and body protectors while remaining breathable and low-profile for comfort on the bike. POC also integrates practical rescue features like RECCO reflectors in many helmets to aid search teams in locating an injured rider.  

We stock POC mountain bike goggles and sunglasses for downhill, trail, and enduro riding with world-leading POC Clarity lenses give you the best possible view of the trail ahead with enhanced contrast and colour definition, which are both extremely important when you’re riding in variable light conditions.