Home > Clothing-Gear-Tools

Rapha + POC: new helmet collab combines weight savings, performance

a man wearing a Rapha + POC ventral lite
1 Comment
Support us! Bikerumor may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn More

British cycling apparel brand Rapha has teamed up with Swedish helmet specialists POC for a new limited-edition line of head protection: the Omne Air Mips and Ventral Lite helmets. The former aims for a balance between Mips-based protection and comfort on all-day rides, while the latter is optimized for race days at less than 200g. In fact, the Ventral Lite is the current helmet of choice on the WorldTour for pro cycling team Ef Education-Easy Post.

two angles of a man wearing the Rapha + POC Ventral Lite
The Rapha + POC Omne Air Mips. Photos c. Rapha, POC

Rapha + POC Omne Air Mips: comfort, protection, performance

The Omne Air Mips utilizes Mips Integra, a system that revolves around close collaboration between the Mips design teams and helmet manufacturers. The helmet uses a three-point cradle system combined with fully adjustable clips and straps to dial in fit. There’s even an eye garage for easy sunglasses storage.

The Rapha + POC Omne Air Mips fit adjustment system
Precise fit is a feature of the Rapha + POC Omne Air Mips

To round out the features, Rapha and POC make a nod towards cooling with ventilation channels that run in an unbroken arc from front to back.

You can get your hands on one for $190. The Omne Air Mips is U.K., E.U., and U.S. safety regulation certified. Note — the helmet is not safety certified in Australia. It comes in six sizes (small, medium, and large, all available in wide or regular fit) with Dark Navy and Stone colorways broken by abstract white patterning.

a woman wearing the Rapha + POC Omne Air Mips

Rapha + POC Ventral Lite: minimalist weight savings

If gram shaving for races is your game, the Ventral Lite might be of more interest. The helmet is stripped down in all the areas it safely can be: it has a lightweight liner, a unibody shell, webbed straps, and a minimalist fit adjustment system. Like the Omne Air Mips, it comes in wide and regular fits in small, medium, and large. But it’s the sub-200g weight that really catches the attention.

the Rapha + POC Ventral Lite
The Rapha + POC Ventral Lite is stripped down for maximum weight savings.

EF Education-EasyPost’s Lachlan Morton said in a statement that the light weight translates to valuable comfort.

“I like the helmet a lot and use it day to day. I like that it’s so light. Especially when doing long-distance rides, every gram really makes a difference. It reduces a lot of strain on my neck as well as being very well ventilated, but for me the weight is the biggest thing which ultimately leads to greater comfort,” Morton said.

two angles of the Rapha + POC Ventral Lite

The Ventral Lite comes in black and white and costs $325.

rapha.cc/us

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

1 Comment
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Will Ferrule
Will Ferrule
1 year ago

I always welcome any alternative to borrrring Bell/Giro.

Subscribe Now

Sign up to receive BikeRumor content direct to your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Sign up to receive BikeRumor content direct to your inbox.