Hello! This is John from Circles Tokyo!
It’s already been a month since I returned to Tokyo, and I’m writing this blog post while soaking in nostalgic memories of my time working in Nagoya exactly one year ago.
Among the many memories of my time in Nagoya, the most impressive was the "Bike to Anniversary" event, where Mr. Yoshimoto and I spent three days riding from Toranomon Hills to Nagoya to make it to the Circles Anniversary event at Peace Park at 2:00 PM on November 30th.
Covering about 400km on my first long-distance bikepacking trip, I felt anxious and nervous, and honestly didn't have the confidence that I could pull it off, but thanks to the encouraging support of Mr. Yoshimoto riding ahead, I was able to make it safely. The sense of accomplishment was huge!
And, the helmet I bought new for this ride:
POC Ventral Air WF MIPS – Asian Fit
It’s been performing so well that I’d like to introduce it to you!
The comfort of POC helmets
To be honest, I didn't initially understand the importance of a helmet that much; I just thought, "As long as it covers your head, isn't that enough?"
There are many different helmet brands out there, with designs ranging all over the place.
But POC is different. Above all, its standout feature is a lightness that outshines other brands.
It is extremely difficult to achieve both high-level protection—the core requirement for a helmet—and the conflicting spec of extreme lightness. However, every POC product is tested repeatedly by top athletes to enhance its protective performance. The fact that UCI World Teams participating in world-class road races like the Tour de France use these in actual competition is more persuasive than anything else.
I’m not a racer by any means, and my previous helmet wasn't particularly heavy or light, nor did I have any specific complaints about it. But when I first put on the POC, it might be an exaggeration, but it felt so light that I wondered if I was even wearing a helmet at all! There was no strain on my neck, and I was able to enjoy a very comfortable ride.
High ventilation solves the problem of sweat and stuffiness!
POC uses a completely new method for ensuring ventilation. Instead of the many small air vents found on most other brands, the Ventral series and others use larger vents. This idea increases the surface area of the front opening, and in combination with the internal design, allows air to flow through the helmet more easily, improving breathability.
At the POC laboratory located in the suburbs of Stockholm, experts from various fields—including materials scientists, industrial designers, graphic designers, neurologists, and spinal injury researchers—conduct research from their respective perspectives to develop superior products.
All products are tested repeatedly by top athletes to enhance protective performance. Athletes constantly push their limits on the field, where risks like scrapes, bruises, and spinal or brain injuries lurk. Their research and development focus on reducing those risks as close to zero as possible, resulting in these excellent products.
As I mentioned earlier, while safety is the primary requirement for a helmet, lightness and comfort are factors on a different vector. The reason POC manages to incorporate all these into a product at such a high level and boast world-class performance is, I believe, largely related to their background as a brand that originally developed gear for winter sports and protective equipment.
The WF (Wide Fit) model, easy for Japanese users
The most important part of choosing a helmet is the fit. Many people think POC helmets have a narrow shape because it's a European brand. However, POC also offers a WF (Wide Fit) model, and there is a great range that is easy for Japanese people to wear. Of course, the model I used this time is the WF version, so even those who have struggled to find the right size in the past can now choose POC.
Choosing a helmet is trickier than choosing clothes, but once you try on this lightness and fit, it becomes addictive—I really want you to experience it for yourself.
Also, many bicycle helmets tend to have sharp, jagged designs that I felt were hard to match with casual clothing. But when I first saw the rounded, simple form of the POC, my eyes were drawn to it. This design style is easy to match with casual clothes, so I also recommend it for commuting to work or school.
Of course, the most important thing is safety, but if you're going to wear one in your daily life or around town, don't you want to look cool, too?
Being able to match everything from cycling wear to everyday clothes is essential. Because it boasts top-class performance in safety, ventilation, comfort, and weight, the POC Ventral is truly an all-around helmet.
The warm, sunny weather that signals the arrival of spring is becoming more frequent, creating perfect conditions for cyclists. (As long as there's no pollen...)
For those of you looking for a new helmet, or those considering upgrading from your current one!
Circles Tokyo has the Ventral Air WF MIPS – Asian Fit in stock, so if you’re able to visit the store, please come by and try one on!
Give this incredible helmet a try!