Not too long ago, POC quietly added the brand-new Cularis Pure to its mountain bike helmet lineup. It’s virtually an actual copy of the model’s normal Cularis helmet, which made waves final yr when it launched with the highest rating in Virginia Tech’s security scores. The brand new Pure model shares the identical shell however has some delicate variations, in addition to the not-so-subtle interchangeable cowl design.
POC refers to those as “interchangeable peak covers,” and they’re primarily snap-on plastic shells masking the highest of the top, together with the visor, or peak, if you’ll. With these swappable covers, customers can select between vast open vents for max airflow or absolutely coated vents for climate safety. It’s a reasonably novel design, making it an adaptable helmet for a variety of situations.
POC Cularis Pure Particulars
Till you look carefully, the Cularis Pure appears extremely just like the usual Cularis. In reality, the shell is sort of an actual match, with the identical silhouette, stage of head protection, and an identical air flow format. The first distinction is that the visor is a continuation of the interchangeable cowl, which straightens out that line a bit. As a substitute of fittings for a visor, the Pure has 4 indentations for the snap attachments that maintain the interchangeable covers in place.
Like the usual Cularis, the Pure has a light-weight polycarbonate shell with an in-mold EPS foam liner. It has prolonged protection behind the top and the temples, and a comparatively deep match. Inside, it makes use of a extra conventional MIPS Evolve Core liner for rotational affect safety, and the padding is hooked up on to the liner. This is likely one of the variations between the Pure and the usual Cularis, which makes use of MIPS Air Node, and has MIPS built-in into the padding itself.
In the back of the top, the dial for the 360° adjustment system makes it straightforward so as to add or take away rigidity for safety and stability. The occipital cradle additionally has three positions of top adjustment to optimize its consolation and match. The straps have an adjustable Y-shaped splitter across the ears, which I discovered to be simpler to regulate than most, together with an ordinary plastic buckle to attach them beneath the chin.
The Cularis Pure does have a visor, however provided that it’s hooked up to the interchangeable covers, it’s not adjustable. In my restricted expertise, it’s in what I’d name the perfect place to supply some solar blocking capability whereas not being in my subject of view. With the snap-on attachment of the covers, POC says they’re designed to interrupt away within the occasion of a crash.
Just like the Cularis, the Pure has an “eye storage” with grippy materials added to a few the entrance vents to carry onto your sunglass arms. This works with the ventilated cowl, however these vents are inaccessible when the protecting cowl is hooked up.
Interchangeable Covers
Essentially the most distinctive function of the Cularis Pure is undoubtedly the interchangeable covers. With this method, riders can select to go away the vents vast open to benefit from the prodigious airflow the Cularis is understood for. Or, they’ll swap to the protecting, closed vent cowl to be used throughout chilly and/or moist situations.
For readability, the protecting cowl absolutely blocks the three vents on the highest of the top, however it solely partially blocks the entrance vents. Air that passes beneath the visor will nonetheless cross by way of the entrance vents, into the inner channels, and cross out the rear exhaust vents. From my temporary expertise, it appears the general airflow is diminished by about 50%, however that’s only a guess. It doesn’t fully block airflow, however it’s a lot hotter than the vented cowl. And on actually moist days, it looks as if the quilt will block many of the moisture that may in any other case attain your head.
One other risk with the interchangeable cowl design of the Cularis Pure is utilizing it with out both of the covers. Whereas most individuals shopping for a helmet like this most likely received’t try this, I can’t see any cause why somebody couldn’t. And not using a cowl hooked up, it’s principally a visor-less street or gravel helmet, though the snap indentations look just a little odd.
Weight
My dimension giant POC Cularis Pure weighs in at 408 grams on my scale, which is simply 2 grams lower than POC’s claimed weight of 410 grams. POC lists the claimed weight of the small at 370 grams, and the medium at 380 grams.
For comparability, my dimension giant Cularis (non-Pure) weighs 441 grams on my scale. Plainly the adjustable visor, Aramid bridges, Recco reflector, and Fidlock buckle — the options not included on the Pure mannequin — add as much as be ~30 grams heavier.
Security Ranking
As of at present, the Cularis Pure doesn’t seem on the record of helmets examined by Virginia Tech’s helmet lab. So it doesn’t have a rating or a star ranking to say as a foundation for comparability. That stated, the usual Cularis is at the moment ranked #4 of all of the bicycle helmets examined, and #2 of the mountain bike helmets on the record.
Whereas one might anticipate the Pure model to carry out equally, it will be presumptuous, provided that they don’t seem to be similar helmets. The Pure lacks the Aramid bridge reinforcements and makes use of a unique MIPS system than the usual Cularis, each of which can have an effect on its efficiency in affect testing.
Colours
The Cularis Pure has POC’s distinctive styling and is at the moment being supplied in six colour choices. The Uranium Black Matte is stable black and is by far probably the most delicate. It additionally is available in Uranium Black Matte/Hydrogen White, Hydrogen White/Uranium Black Matte, Mineral Gray/Hydrogen White Matte, Bronzite Brown/Lazurite Blue, and the eye-catching Rhos Purple Matte/Citrine Yellow Matte.
Sizing
The Cularis Pure is available in three sizes: Small (51-54 cm), Medium (55-58 cm), and Massive (59-62 cm).
First Impressions
I received my palms on the Cularis Pure final week and have managed to get a few rides in it thus far. The climate has been very nice and unseasonably heat, and I’ve been utilizing the vented cowl, which permits loads of airflow. I pedaled up and down the road with the protecting cowl, which blocks air from getting into instantly from the highest, however nonetheless permits a good quantity of air to move by way of under the visor. The covers are fast and simple to swap, with simply 4 snaps securing them on the helmet. This design is certainly attention-grabbing, and I can see the way it might be very helpful for using in cooler temperatures, moist situations, or each.
Except for not with the ability to modify the visor’s place, it doesn’t appear to have an effect on the helmet’s efficiency in every other means. If cool temps or inclement climate are typical challenges you face, the pliability of the Cularis Pure’s interchangeable cowl design might aid you deal with that. I’ve a good friend who doesn’t have a lot hair on the highest of his head and complains about getting sunburn on his scalp by way of his helmet vents. This interchangeable cowl design might, unintentionally, be an answer to that situation.
With a 59cm head, I’m virtually at all times on the cusp between medium and enormous helmets, and I can normally put on both dimension. Not so with POC helmets. POC’s sizing doesn’t overlap like most different manufacturers, plus its helmets run a bit narrower, so I’m unable to suit comfortably right into a medium. That stated, the massive suits me effectively, is kind of snug, and has a comparatively deep match with a reassuring quantity of head protection.
Past that, the Cularis Pure has pale into the background on my check rides thus far. It’s snug, secure, and safe, with good air flow and a protecting really feel. I’ll most likely complain in regards to the non-adjustable visor in some unspecified time in the future, however thus far it hasn’t been problematic with the solar larger within the sky. In any other case, it looks as if a novel strategy to helmet design which may deal with the wants of riders looking for an adaptable helmet for various climate situations.
POC Cularis Pure: Pricing and Availability
The brand new Cularis Pure helmet retails for $210, which is $50 lower than the usual model. It’s obtainable now instantly from POC, your native POC seller, or POC’s on-line retail companions. Head to the POC web site to study extra.
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