Photo: Christine Henry

Building on the success of the safest helmet in mountain biking, POC has released a new version of the Cularis, dubbed the “Cularis Pure.” The new lid offers one unique feature that I’ve never seen before, and at a slightly lower price point than the original Cularis

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POC Cularis Pure key specs

• Two breakaway helmet covers: one with vents, and one without.
• Mips Evolve rotational impact protection system
• Five-star Virginia Tech safety rating
• Weight: 400g, size medium (measured)
• Price: $210
• Buy from Competitive Cyclist

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Photos: Greg Heil

The Cularis Pure (“Pure” for short) comes with two interchangeable breakaway helmet covers, which also serve as the helmet’s visor. The standard cover is fully vented, but the second cover isn’t vented at all. This design is intended to increase warmth while riding in cold weather and keep out rain in wet conditions. The cover only extends to the crown of the rider’s head, and the back vents remain open to release heat.

The cover is surprisingly easy to swap, with four snaps (like you might find on a pair of pants) holding it in place. The snaps hold the cover securely while riding — there’s no rattling or movement, but in the event of a crash, they’re designed to release to prevent injury.

The Pure includes a Mips Evolve rotational impact protection system. Evolve is said to “reduce rotational forces in the event of an angled impact – the kind most commonly experienced in real-world crashes,” according to POC.

Photo: Christine Henry

The helmet is heavily ventilated, like the original Cularis — I counted 15 vents.

It also includes a “360° adjustable fit system,” which is tensioned with the use of a dial at the back of the head. Instead of just pulling the rear cradle inward, the dial tensions a plastic band (beneath the padding) that wraps around the entire head.

The straps feature a standard buckle instead of the magnetic FIDLOCK — one of the choices that allows the Pure to hit a price point that’s $50 less than the standard Cularis.

Photo: Leslie Kehmeier

Out on the trail with the POC Cularis Pure

I tested the Pure during hot spring conditions in the Four Corners region, including a five-day trip with soaring temperatures in Arizona. As a result, I haven’t personally put the weather-blocking helmet cover to the test, but I can see why this would be a welcome feature for riders in places like the PNW. Trying to smash a rain jacket hood over or below a helmet never works all that well. Instead, installing a cover that allows the helmet to block most of the rain, while still venting heat out the back, seems like a best-of-both-worlds solution on paper.

When it came to my own test, I found the 15 vents to provide excellent cooling in the oppressive Arizona heat. Compared to my black Cularis helmet, I welcomed the off-white colorway of the Pure to reflect back some of the sun’s heat.

This was my first time wearing a helmet equipped with Mips Evolve technology, and I have to say, it takes a bit of getting used to. I found the helmet to feel unstable on my head, with the shell shifting around on the Evolve layer as I rode, which, I guess, is the point. Personally, I found this shifting sensation rather unpleasant. It’s not present in the Mips Air Node tech included in the standard Cularis.

Finally, due to the design of the helmet cover, the visor is not adjustable in any way. I realize that the weather shield option is the Pure’s defining feature, but not being able to adjust the visor angle could be a no-go for some riders. Personally, I found the visor provided just enough coverage to block the sun, but not so much that it inhibited my view. It was just the right amount for me, but your mileage may vary.

Photo: Leslie Kehmeier

Pros and cons of POC Cularis Pure

Pros

• Optional weather cover for helmet
• Lower price point than the previous Cularis

Cons

• Helmet shifts while riding due to Mips Evolve
• Visor isn’t adjustable

Bottom line

Thankfully, I didn’t have to test the POC Cularis Pure during a true crash, but with industry-leading rotational impact protection technology and ample coverage, I have no doubt the Pure would perform admirably.

For riders in a wet environment, the optional weather cover could be a truly transformative feature. On the other hand, if the visor blocks too much of your view, you have no way to adjust it without removing the helmet cover entirely.

With such a unique design, the Cularis Pure is very much a “try before you buy” helmet. But if you try it, you just might like it.