POC Kortal Helmet and MIPS Integra + Devour Sunglasses: First Look

When POC recently sent over the featherweight Ventral Lite helmet, they also included a new mountain bike helmet to replace my beloved Smith Session, which was on its last legs. The new POC Kortal Race MIPS helmet is packed with impressive safety features, like a breakaway visor, an integrated medical ID chip, the new MIPS Integra slip liner, and a RECCO reflector to help in search and rescue scenarios.

I’ve been using the new standard Kortal Helmet, which has a very similar design, but without the new MIPS and medical ID chip tech. POC also sent over their brand new and ridiculously flashy Devour sunglasses for me to check out, and although they’re a bit of a departure from my usual style and a little outside of this site’s typical coverage, I’ve included a quick look at them as well. Check it all out below.

POC Kortal Race MIPS Helmet

The most impressive news is POC’s new Kortal Race MIPS helmet, which they describe as a helmet as capable and versatile as modern trail bikes—fantastic for both the up and the downs. The helmet is designed to be lightweight and well ventilated, without sacrificing safety features like the new MIPS Integra rotational impact system (more on that below), a visor that breaks away under impact to protect the rider’s neck, and the NFC Medical ID, which stores your medical and emergency contact info inside the helmet for first responders.

As far as we know, the Kortal Race MIPS Helmet is the first helmet to integrate the brand new MIPS Integra. It works just like the original MIPS, allowing the head and helmet shell to rotate independently to reduce rotational motion to the brain during impact, but does so in a sleeker, less bulky design. With MIPS Integra, the low-friction layer is molded directly into the helmet and the padding slides against that. This means a lower-profile design, no interference with the helmet’s vents, and a better-fitting helmet.

• Weight: 370g (small), 390g (medium), 470g (large)
• Place of Manufacture: China
• Price: $250 USD
• Manufacturer’s Details: POCSports.com

POC Kortal Helmet

I was sent the POC Kortal helmet, which is just like the Kortal Race MIPS, but without the MIPS and medical ID tag. Considering it’s just $50 cheaper than its more sophisticated sibling, I’d probably lean towards the benefits of a proper MIPS system and the NFC Medical ID. The Kortal helmet provides great coverage, especially along the back of the head, and so far the ventilation seems great as well, although I’ve yet to test it out in warmer temperatures.

The overall design and amount of coverage the Kortal offers are quite impressive and the quality is top notch. I’ve been riding some more challenging, potentially risky trails here in Powell River this winter, so having some extra protection felt like a good move. It’s also about 100g lighter than the Race MIPS version, but still has a good-sized visor to keep the sun at bay, so in some ways, it might make more sense for longer days on the bike. I’m a fan of the styling and shape of the helmet, and it has proven to be comfortable on multi-hour rides.

• Weight: 360g (small), 380g (medium), 440g (large)
• Place of Manufacture: China
• Price: $200 USD
• Manufacturer’s Details: POCSports.com

POC Devour Sunglasses

I’ll admit, it took me a while to work up to wearing these sunglasses. They are easily the craziest pair of sunglasses I’ve ever worn, and I recognize they won’t be for everybody. The thing is, having nice sunglasses certainly has its benefits, and I’ve slowly become quite impressed with the Devours, even if it does look like I’m heading to the disco every time I put them on.

The idea behind the Devour sunglasses is that they provide unobstructed views of whatever lies ahead. The size of the lens provides an exceptional field of view, which is noticeable when riding technical trails. The arms are adjustable (both the length and the grip) to fit different heads, the soft rubber nose piece can also be adjusted, and POC’s Clarity lens by Carl Zeiss offers great optics as well as a hydrophobic and oleophobic treatment to protect from dirt, water, sweat, salt, oil, and dust. They are also the same price as the Kortal Race MIPS helmet, and certainly won’t be in everyone’s budget, especially if you’re like me and tend to lose and damage sunglasses regularly. Aside from the big price tag and even bigger size, I’ve actually quite enjoyed trying them out. They’ve held up to the anti-fog test here in the PNW, which earns them a big thumbs up from me.

The Devour sunglasses are offered in several different frame and lens colour combinations, and all come with an additional clear lens for low-light riding. As expected, their size and shape pairs quite nicely with the new Kortal helmet.

• Weight: 40 grams
• Place of Manufacture: China
• Price: $250 USD
• Manufacturer’s Details: POCSports.com

Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed.