A lightweight advanced carbon shell wrapped over our patent pending aramid reinforced in-mold liner. The liner has a thin shell of polycarbonate covering the multi-impact Super EPP core. The helmet provides exceptional levels of impactenergy management and penetration resistance while the double overlapping shell design, our patented VDSAP, allows a fully ventilated construction for maximum comfort. In the Carbon version of the Cortex helmet, nothing has been neglected in terms of technological materials and design to attain the highest possible level of protection.
Submitted by
rdhfreethought
a Downhiller
from Boulder, CO (PNW transplant) Date Reviewed: November 13, 2009
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Competative Cyclist
Strengths:
The best money can buy.
Weaknesses:
None, assuming you can live with the protection vs cooling compromise.
Similar Products Used:
Bell, Fox, 661, Giro, Troy Lee Designs, etc
Bike Setup:
Knolly Delerium T
Bottom Line:
Helmets are a bit personal. No matter how many little fitting pads they put in, if it doesn't fit your brain bucket, it will not work well. It took me a while to find something that worked. I will spare you the details and instead refer to this MTBR post: http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=486086
Since that post, I have had several crashes. Two big ones. The first big one was a head first landing at Whistler (first run of the day of course). The second was on some local gnar here in Colorado. The first one ruined my goggles, knocked the wind out of me (stagger...stagger...can't...breathe...) and permanently bent the visor so I looked like Flavor Flav sans clock. The second head strike occured when helmet vs rock occured. In neither crash did I feel like my brain was rattled. After the second crash as we were shuttling back up, I noticed a chunk in the side of the helmet where it had done its job protecting my most valuable asset. I believe the POC Cortex (mine is the 'Flow' version) offers the best protection this side of a moto helmet. TLD and THE also make excellent products, the other helmets I tried didn't fit me very well or didn't impress me with their comfort or quality like these three did. 10/10 for quality, contruction, design. 8/10 for cooling. A compromise that I endorse, if I need cooling I will wear my XC lid.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
What's New
»
BEST OF MTBR - Check out the highest rated bikes, parts, & gear!
»
LED BIKE LIGHT SHOOTOUT 3 - We test all the newest products and latest light and battery technology in this comprehensive guide»
$ 525.00
Overall Rating:
