As the name suggests, the Ventral Lite is POC's lightest production road bike helmet but has this come at the expense of any creature comforts? Cyclingnews has the verdict
The POC Ventral Lite is a stripped out, lightweight, superbly fitting helmet that does everything required of a modern lid. While the lack of a slip-plane liner might be offputting to some it's unlikely to inhibit its popularity among the cycling diehards
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The original POC Ventral was launched back in 2018 as an aerodynamic alternative to the company's super-airy-yet-polarising Octal road helmet. It quickly gained traction owing to its impressive fit and performance credentials - most notably its ability to provide effective air ventilation and aerodynamic profiling by harnessing the Venturi effect to reduce turbulence.
The concept eventually morphed into the Ventral Air, which ditched the smoothed off aero panels in favour of extra ventilation, and now this - the Ventral Lite. Designed to appeal to those who favour lightness and cooling above all else, POC describes the Ventral Lite as a helmet that's been 'engineered to achieve the optimal balance of weight, safety and performance.'
We were sent a POC Ventral Lite ahead of the launch and have been out and about testing its credentials to bring you this exclusive review.
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Characterised by bold, angular profiling there's no mistaking this for anything other than a POC helmet(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
The rear portion of the helmet is structurally identical to its Ventral siblings...(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
...using the same six-channel exhaust layout and unibody shell to better deal with impacts(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
The foam structure is more exposed than other POC models and the PC shell covering is used sparingly to help keep weight down(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
Chamfered edges around the vent cutouts give the Ventral Lite its own identity(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
A trimmed back version of POC's in-house retention system keeps things secure(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
There's no denying the POC Ventral Lite's design DNA and heritage. While its overall blueprint is based largely on the original Ventral concept and Ventral Air, it also bears a striking family resemblance to the Octal, most notably in profile where its flanks are dominated by a similar venting layout.
Closer inspection, however, gives the Ventral Lite its own identity with more pronounced, chamfered edges around the vent cutouts taking centre stage. The rear portion of the helmet is structurally identical to its Ventral siblings using the same six-channel exhaust layout and shell.
The Ventral Lite is available in five colour options: Uranium Black, Black/White, Black/Fluorite Green, Black/Basalt Blue and Granite-Grey (pictured here). This matte-grey hue, while very unlike POC's traditionally brazen colour palette, is intriguing nonetheless and tastefully matches the EPS foam architecture. Unlike its stablemates, the foam structure is more exposed and the PC shell covering is used strategically and sparingly as a weight-saving measure.
Branding, on the other hand, is rather stealthy with a solitary POC logo taking residence at the rear. The only thing referencing its model designation is a lumo-orange 'Ventral Lite' inscription located on the rear of the helmet just above the exhaust port.
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A lumo-orange 'Ventral Lite' logo is rather inconspicuously placed on the rear end of the lid(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
The Lite uses a nylon string and PET Perspex headband system(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
This nylon string arrangement is similar to the one used in POC Skull Dura Comp ski racing helmet(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
A non-SPIN helmet pad ensures comfort is of a high standard(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
The PET Perspex liner in the forehead reduces the chance of pressure points or interfering with sunglasses(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
The Ventral Lite's strap width has been (marginally) shaved and the divider buckles ditched to reduce complexity(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
The POC Ventral Lite is all about lightweight performance and that means it's been stripped of unnecessary frills without affecting the comfort, fit and performance. Helmet safety evangelists will be quick to point out the Ventral Lite's lack of rotational slip-plane integration but the helmet was designed to give cyclists a choice based on what and how they ride. Besides, if its rotational safety that you're after POC believes its helmet portfolio offers a comprehensive enough assortment of advanced safety protection systems to sate the needs of all riders.
To create the lightest helmet in the range POC's industrial designers needed to reengineer everything including the retention system. When looking at its Ventral stablemates the differences in fabrication and materials used is clearly evident - the Lite uses a nylon string and PET Perspex headband systemwhile retaining the same dial and backing plate to ensure even pressure distribution. In fact, this nylon string is similar to the one used on the Skull Dura Comp ski racing helmet. The stripped-down retention system has done little to impact comfort or fit and, while longterm resilience may prove wanting, it's working impressively well.
The straps are another area where POC managed to cull some fat. While threaded through the helmet in much the same way as Ventral Air (the regular Ventral threads through two independent buckles on each side of the rear assembly) the strap width has been (marginally) shaved and the divider buckles ditched to reduce complexity. While this may affect some users, the semi-adjustable straps fit snugly against my face (a defining attribute of the Ventral range's interior strap anchoring system) and line up perfectly below my ears.
In terms of the EPS foam structure and shell, POC has made some significant adjustments by reprofiling the air-flow channels and using less PC shell coverage. Sure, this exposure can lead to the EPS getting damaged over time but all hotspot areas have been covered up. POC claims the new helmet is its lightest lid to date with figures of around 180g for a small. Put to the test on our scale of truth, the Ventral Lite registered bang-on with the claimed 180g.
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Family portrait: the POC Ventral SPIN, Ventral Lite and Ventral Air(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
Each Ventral retains the model's trademark six-vent exhaust port formation (Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
The Lite bears a striking family resemblance to the Octal, where a similar venting layout dominates the flanks(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
I've been using the POC Ventral Lite for just under one month now in various weather conditions and it's yet to disappoint me. That said, while I am a weight weenie at heart I'm still a firm believer that comfort should never be adversely comprised. As such, POC has done a superb job in keeping everything hunky-dory, especially the fit. It works really well with my head shape, needing very little in the way of adjustment - it's one of the few helmets that I've been able to wear immediately out the box, no fettling needed.
Where's the Eye Garage system you might ask? Well, POC supplies the fabric grippers as optional stickers leaving it up to the rider to install them or not. I tend to slot my sunglasses in the neckline of my shirt anyway so leaving the fabric grippers off is a personal choice.
And the cooling properties? Taking its ventilation blueprint from Ventral Air, the Lite is as much about cooling as it is feathery weight and that's where it makes a serious case for itself, especially when considering those who reside in hot-weather climates and countries. The ventilation properties are hard to dispute and while not ideally suited to winter riding that's nothing one of the best cycling caps can't sort out.
Could we see it used during hill climb season? Well, UCI rules don't apply to such events but should stricter protocols be set in place by the Cycling Time Trial (CTT) for events such as hill climbs, the Ventral Lite would prove an ideal solution given its incredible airflow and weight.
The Eye Garage system is optional on the Ventral Lite but the brand's sunglasses still play nicely with the helmet shape and retention system (Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
Verdict
POC's Ventral Lite is the lightest helmet I've tested to date and all the measures taken to create it have done little to negatively impact comfort, fit and performance.
In fact, it's one of the very few helmets that has required little-to-no fiddling upon unboxing thanks to its no-frills approach to execution. Yes, the stripped-down retention system is flimsy in appearance and feel but works just as well as the bulkier systems of its stablemates providing a stable and tailored fit.
Bar the lack of a dedicated slip-plane rotational safety liner, the Ventral Lite is a quality helmet that offers great all-weather performance - not to mention the super-light construction that makes it feel like you're not wearing anything. POC has not tested this helmet with a rotation system and won't be offering it as an option either - the company believes it's important that riders have a choice based on application.
The Ventral Lite will make its pro peloton debut with riders from EF Education-Nippo WorldTour team at Paris-Nice on 7 March.
Pricing is in line with the range-topping POC Ventral Spin at US$275 / £230 / €270.
Aaron was the Tech Editor Cyclingnews between July 2019 and June 2022. He was born and raised in South Africa, where he completed his BA honours at the University of Cape Town before embarking on a career in journalism. Throughout this career, Aaron has spent almost two decades writing about bikes, cars, and anything else with wheels. Prior to joining the Cyclingnews team, his experience spanned a stint as Gear & Digital editor of Bicycling magazine, as well as a time at TopCar as Associate Editor.
Now based in the UK's Surrey Hills, Aaron's life revolves around bikes. He's a competitive racer, Stravaholic, and Zwift enthusiast. He’s twice ridden the Cape Epic, completed the Haute Route Alps, and represented South Africa in the 2022 Zwift eSports World Championships.
