A distinctive design based around fewer, larger vents provides optimal ventilation and comfort on the longest and hottest cycling tours. Updated to include MIPS, the Octal road cycling helmet is optimized to perfectly balance protection and performance. The helmet’s EPS liner is thicker in the zones where most impacts occur, giving every rider enhanced protection where it is most needed. A fully wrapped unibody shell enhances the structural stiffness of the helmet, giving optimum strength at a low weight. Developed for protection without a weight penalty, the helmet also features a lightweight size adjustment system and adjustable chin straps, ensuring a comfortable and secure fit Optimized high-performance EPS liner keeps weight low. Fully wrapped unibody shell acts as a monocoque for structural stability. Instantly recognisable ventilation design is optimized for airflow at any speed. Helmet straps are molded into the liner for extra strength. Eye garage in the front ventilation ports gives secure storage for sunglasses while riding. MIPS Brain Protection System enhances rotational impact protection.
A distinctive design based around fewer, larger vents provides optimal ventilation and comfort on the longest and hottest cycling tours. Updated to include MIPS, the Octal road cycling helmet is optimized to perfectly balance protection and performance. The helmet’s EPS liner is thicker in the zones where most impacts occur, giving every rider enhanced protection where it is most needed. A fully wrapped unibody shell enhances the structural stiffness of the helmet, giving optimum strength at a low weight. Developed for protection without a weight penalty, the helmet also features a lightweight size adjustment system and adjustable chin straps, ensuring a comfortable and secure fit Optimized high-performance EPS liner keeps weight low. Fully wrapped unibody shell acts as a monocoque for structural stability. Instantly recognisable ventilation design is optimized for airflow at any speed. Helmet straps are molded into the liner for extra strength. Eye garage in the front ventilation ports gives secure storage for sunglasses while riding. MIPS Brain Protection System enhances rotational impact protection.
A distinctive design based around fewer, larger vents provides optimal ventilation and comfort on the longest and hottest cycling tours. Updated to include MIPS, the Octal road cycling helmet is optimized to perfectly balance protection and performance. The helmet’s EPS liner is thicker in the zones where most impacts occur, giving every rider enhanced protection where it is most needed. A fully wrapped unibody shell enhances the structural stiffness of the helmet, giving optimum strength at a low weight. Developed for protection without a weight penalty, the helmet also features a lightweight size adjustment system and adjustable chin straps, ensuring a comfortable and secure fit Optimized high-performance EPS liner keeps weight low. Fully wrapped unibody shell acts as a monocoque for structural stability. Instantly recognisable ventilation design is optimized for airflow at any speed. Helmet straps are molded into the liner for extra strength. Eye garage in the front ventilation ports gives secure storage for sunglasses while riding. MIPS Brain Protection System enhances rotational impact protection.
A distinctive design based around fewer, larger vents provides optimal ventilation and comfort on the longest and hottest cycling tours. Updated to include MIPS, the Octal road cycling helmet is optimized to perfectly balance protection and performance. The helmet’s EPS liner is thicker in the zones where most impacts occur, giving every rider enhanced protection where it is most needed. A fully wrapped unibody shell enhances the structural stiffness of the helmet, giving optimum strength at a low weight. Developed for protection without a weight penalty, the helmet also features a lightweight size adjustment system and adjustable chin straps, ensuring a comfortable and secure fit Optimized high-performance EPS liner keeps weight low. Fully wrapped unibody shell acts as a monocoque for structural stability. Instantly recognisable ventilation design is optimized for airflow at any speed. Helmet straps are molded into the liner for extra strength. Eye garage in the front ventilation ports gives secure storage for sunglasses while riding. MIPS Brain Protection System enhances rotational impact protection.
Last updated at 05/14/2026 05:24:16
POC - Octal MIPS - Road Cycling Helmet - Orange - M
Free delivery between 20–26 May
Poc Octal Mips Unisex Bicycle Helmet, Flourescent Orange, Fluorescent Orange / Medium
Free delivery between Fri – Tue
originally posted on pocsports.com
Excellent helmet, very lightweight and comfortable when wearing. The only complain I have is I wish POC would offer more in different colors, paddings, etc. Other than that I have no complain. Also worth mentioning that this is a replacement for another POC which I have had for 5 - 6 years (it's an Octal X Racer). It also came with extra padding, carrying bag, instruction on how to clean, store, etc.
originally posted on pocsports.com
Ventilation is awesome. Very light weight as well. The large holes also make it easy itch your scalp. Overall super comfortable. I switched from the ventral which I had liked a lot. Still not really sure what the differences are. However my shades slotted in the ventral really nicely but don’t on the octal. They stick out way further than with the ventral and don’t feel nearly as secure. I would recommend comparing to the ventral since that held my sunglasses better and it is very hard to tell the difference between them on the website.
originally posted on pocsports.com
I’m about to buy my second POC octal helmet after I crashed my first one three days ago. I was on a gravel descent and hit a patch where the surface of the trail turned to flat rock with little lentil sized gravel bits sprinkled over the top- like ball bearings, essentially. I was doing about 20 mph when my front wheel washed out and I went down hard. My body did the sideways worm and the left side of my head smashed into the rocky trail with a staggering amount of force. My riding buddy said he saw me roll like three times, my hip, shoulder and left hand are all scraped and bruised, but my head and neck feel fine, at most a little rattled.the first words as I got up to brush myself off were “f*%k yeah, I love helmets.”This helmet saved my greater brain function, ... MoreI’m about to buy my second POC octal helmet after I crashed my first one three days ago. I was on a gravel descent and hit a patch where the surface of the trail turned to flat rock with little lentil sized gravel bits sprinkled over the top- like ball bearings, essentially. I was doing about 20 mph when my front wheel washed out and I went down hard. My body did the sideways worm and the left side of my head smashed into the rocky trail with a staggering amount of force. My riding buddy said he saw me roll like three times, my hip, shoulder and left hand are all scraped and bruised, but my head and neck feel fine, at most a little rattled.the first words as I got up to brush myself off were “f*%k yeah, I love helmets.”This helmet saved my greater brain function, if not my life, and I’ll continue to trust POC with my safety in the future.Oh yeah, it’s very comfy, lightweight, and the ventilation is great, but that’s not what you’ll be thinking about when you pick yourself up from a crash like I had.
POC - Octal MIPS - Road Cycling Helmet - Orange - M
Free delivery between 20–26 May
Poc Octal Mips Unisex Bicycle Helmet, Flourescent Orange, Fluorescent Orange / Medium
Free delivery between Fri – Tue
Excellent helmet, very lightweight and comfortable when wearing. The only complain I have is I wish POC would offer more in different colors, paddings, etc. Other than that I have no complain. Also worth mentioning that this is a replacement for another POC which I have had for 5 - 6 years (it's an Octal X Racer). It also came with extra padding, carrying bag, instruction on how to clean, store, etc.
Ventilation is awesome. Very light weight as well. The large holes also make it easy itch your scalp. Overall super comfortable. I switched from the ventral which I had liked a lot. Still not really sure what the differences are. However my shades slotted in the ventral really nicely but don’t on the octal. They stick out way further than with the ventral and don’t feel nearly as secure. I would recommend comparing to the ventral since that held my sunglasses better and it is very hard to tell the difference between them on the website.
I’m about to buy my second POC octal helmet after I crashed my first one three days ago. I was on a gravel descent and hit a patch where the surface of the trail turned to flat rock with little lentil sized gravel bits sprinkled over the top- like ball bearings, essentially. I was doing about 20 mph when my front wheel washed out and I went down hard. My body did the sideways worm and the left side of my head smashed into the rocky trail with a staggering amount of force. My riding buddy said he saw me roll like three times, my hip, shoulder and left hand are all scraped and bruised, but my head and neck feel fine, at most a little rattled.the first words as I got up to brush myself off were “f*%k yeah, I love helmets.”This helmet saved my greater brain function, ... MoreI’m about to buy my second POC octal helmet after I crashed my first one three days ago. I was on a gravel descent and hit a patch where the surface of the trail turned to flat rock with little lentil sized gravel bits sprinkled over the top- like ball bearings, essentially. I was doing about 20 mph when my front wheel washed out and I went down hard. My body did the sideways worm and the left side of my head smashed into the rocky trail with a staggering amount of force. My riding buddy said he saw me roll like three times, my hip, shoulder and left hand are all scraped and bruised, but my head and neck feel fine, at most a little rattled.the first words as I got up to brush myself off were “f*%k yeah, I love helmets.”This helmet saved my greater brain function, if not my life, and I’ll continue to trust POC with my safety in the future.Oh yeah, it’s very comfy, lightweight, and the ventilation is great, but that’s not what you’ll be thinking about when you pick yourself up from a crash like I had.
The helmet was fine for a year. Then I needed to replace the pads. Then the nightmare hit in. I have been trying to buy replacement pads for the past 4-5 years, seems it is impossible. POC does not have them, they aren't available in any webshops in the whole wide world it seems, trying to source this from Hong Kong, through Germany to UK. Nothing. POC customer service did not know if and when they will have replacement pads in their shop when I contacted them a few years back. Now they don't even reply. Don't ever buy Octal helmet, you won't be able to wear them comfortably after the pads wear out.
The fit of this helmet is great. It is so light you can barely tell it is there. It is also probably the best vented helmet I have owned.One downside is that it doesn't play well with non Poc sunglasses because the arms on some models interfere with the retention system.Another issue is that the mips device is this plastic, and is actually quite sharp on the edges. It's not so much an issue wearing it as it is when taking it on and off. I would make sure to try it on before you buy it to see if that is an issue for you
I've now done about a half dozen rides in this lid. Very light feeling and was basically as easy a possible to put on and go. I've noticed that the chin strap seems to loosen on its own volition from time to time. The rest of the retention system feels very secure. I typically wear a skull cap or standard, brimmed cycling cap under my helmet. For the most part, I've not had any issues but there a couple cap / sunglass combinations wherein I've felt like everything is being smooshed. Not a big deal when I consider the ripping deal I got on this lid.
Was time to replace my old and beloved Kask helmet and wanted something with MIPS so thought I'd give this a try.Fit wise I am normally on the border of M 54-59 / L 56-61 helmets so bought a medium POC which is supposedly designed to span these sizes. I'd say it fits but it's snug, and if you have a rounder profile top of your skull that will make a difference no matter what the diameter of your head measures.I considered getting a large but I see people wearing these down at their eyebrows and I think this is probably why-I prefer to have that inch above my ear-line for glasses and general fit.So, it fits, it's comfortable, but requires a bit of dialing in each ride, no matter if you are wearing a hat or not. I also noticed that the shape of the helmet rim ... MoreWas time to replace my old and beloved Kask helmet and wanted something with MIPS so thought I'd give this a try.Fit wise I am normally on the border of M 54-59 / L 56-61 helmets so bought a medium POC which is supposedly designed to span these sizes. I'd say it fits but it's snug, and if you have a rounder profile top of your skull that will make a difference no matter what the diameter of your head measures.I considered getting a large but I see people wearing these down at their eyebrows and I think this is probably why-I prefer to have that inch above my ear-line for glasses and general fit.So, it fits, it's comfortable, but requires a bit of dialing in each ride, no matter if you are wearing a hat or not. I also noticed that the shape of the helmet rim interferes with your cap brim when you put it up-the brim pushes against the helmet which overhangs and isn't great. Smaller, curved profile helmets like Kask don't impede like this.Finally, the MIPS attachment points are hard plastic circular tabs and again, the shape of your head and length of hair come into play here as without a hat if you have shaved hair you will most likely feel them against your skull and that isn't the nicest feeling and leaves a mark. With a shaved head I'd only wear this helmet with a cap as a result, but if you have longer hair it probably won't be an issue.So, looks good, quality construction, but small niggles with fit that you may or may not find annoying.
I was just in a serious bike accident where a driver pulled in front of me, I flipped over the hood and landed in my shoulder and head first. My shoulder has multiple fractures but my head was incredibly protected. No loss of consciousness or any head related injuries. Possibly luck but also very grateful for the helmet. Large impact marks on the left and right side of the helmet. I will be replacing with the exact same helmet confidently. Thank you POC.
The helmet fits me perfectly. I have 3. Now only 1 so need more. On September 19 a driver who was texting swerved in front of me in a bike lane. I hit the brakes hard and went over the bar. I faceplanted landing on my left temple. The helmet was cracked and yellow liner was twisted out of its proper position. My riding glasses cut my face. After being transported to the ER, I was discharged after passing the head CT scan with flying colors and only needing 9 stitches due to my glasses. Fast forward to today and a driver made a left turn without looking right in front of me in the bike lane. I slammed on the brakes and, once again, faceplanted on my left temple cracking the helmet and twisting its innards. A trip to a different ER and again they sent me home after CT ... MoreThe helmet fits me perfectly. I have 3. Now only 1 so need more. On September 19 a driver who was texting swerved in front of me in a bike lane. I hit the brakes hard and went over the bar. I faceplanted landing on my left temple. The helmet was cracked and yellow liner was twisted out of its proper position. My riding glasses cut my face. After being transported to the ER, I was discharged after passing the head CT scan with flying colors and only needing 9 stitches due to my glasses. Fast forward to today and a driver made a left turn without looking right in front of me in the bike lane. I slammed on the brakes and, once again, faceplanted on my left temple cracking the helmet and twisting its innards. A trip to a different ER and again they sent me home after CT scans showed no damage to my head, face bones, skull, or brain. I have no doubt that if it were not for my Octal Mips I would not be here typing this review today. I actually came onto the site to order another one (although they are out of stock in my size so I will have ride inside on the trainer until they come in).
I have a hard time finding helmets that fit my head size. This helmet is secure and lightweight with an excellent adjustment range. Slick looking, able to fit a warm toque underneath in the winter, breathable for the summer. Always gets compliments.Had a nasty crash recently, impact was all on the left side of my head. Based on the helmet damage, I would have been dead without it. Walked away with a bloody elbow and minor concussion. The helmet is now a conversation piece, and POC has a lifetime buyer.
