POC introduces Arcus, a new helmet for skiers and snowboarders that brings precision, attention to detail, and race-inspired design to every part of the mountain.
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Designed for those who demand high performance, Arcus combines technical solutions derived from competitive racing with the versatility required for freeriding. Its construction pairs a hybrid ABS and polycarbonate shell with a unique, adjustable magnetic ventilation system and a new BOA® fit system. The design is rounded off with a premium Alcantara interior and a Fidlock HOOK 20 buckle.
The result is a helmet with a sophisticated construction, designed to handle everything from freeride terrain to precise turns on groomed slopes.
Oscar Huss, Chief Product Officer at POC, explains the philosophy behind the development of the Arcus as follows: “We started with a question: what does a skier or snowboarder who loves pushing their limits in freeriding—carving big turns down the side of a mountain—actually need? In freeriding and all-mountain skiing, there are no slalom gates, yet we wanted to offer the same precision found in competitive Super-G racing, while combining it with the versatility required for skinning uphill or hiking on foot. The Arcus embodies this philosophy of skiing and snowboarding.“
Hybrid shell: strength and lightness
The POC Arcus ski helmet combines a well-defined ABS lower shell with an in-mould polycarbonate upper section, featuring precisely sculpted lines. This construction aims to strike a balance between durability, low weight, and impact management capabilities.
The design incorporates stylistic elements inspired by freeride and features a lowered rear section that extends coverage to the back of the neck. The ear pads attach securely via an interlocking system and can be removed for ascents or on warmer days.
The strap attachment system uses CNC-machined screws, while the closure features a Fidlock HOOK 20 buckle, designed to ensure both security and ease of use.
Integrated protection and BOA® adjustment
Protection is the starting point for every helmet, and in the Arcus, every element is designed to contribute to overall safety and comfort.
For the first time in a helmet designed for snow sports, POC introduces the BOA® fit system, which offers high precision and accurate tactile feedback. This micro-adjustable system allows each user to tailor the fit to their individual needs, providing a flexible and secure setup that distributes pressure evenly around the head, thereby minimizing the formation of pressure points.
Integrated inside is Mips® Air Node, described by POC as the lightest and most advanced version of its rotational impact protection system. The integration is designed to combine protection and comfort without compromising the fit.
The hybrid shell helps keep the weight down and ensures a balanced distribution, while the internal EPS liner offers a combination of lightness and protection. The helmet is certified according to EN 1077 and ASTM 2040 standards.
Adjustable ventilation and integration with the goggles
Ventilation is essential for those who ski or snowboard, especially when alternating between long ascents and demanding descents. POC developed the Arcus specifically to support this type of activity.
The front, side, and rear air vents work in tandem with two large top openings—protected by foam—to promote air circulation while limiting the entry of snow and moisture.
Airflow is managed via central channels and a three-position magnetic adjustment system, which can be easily operated even while wearing gloves. The internal channels are deeper than those typically found in the padding of ski helmets—a design inspired by cycling helmets, engineered to accelerate air circulation and dissipate heat more efficiently.
The ventilation openings on the goggle also facilitate the escape of warm air, helping to reduce lens fogging. The system is designed to work in synergy with POC goggles, while a flexible clip at the rear keeps the goggle securely attached to the helmet.
Premium interior and fit comfort
The interior of the helmet is lined with Alcantara, a material more commonly found in the cabins of high-end automobiles. This choice is intended to provide a premium feel against the head and ensure long-lasting comfort during use.
The combination of materials, the BOA® adjustment system, and removable ear pads allows the helmet to be adapted to different fit preferences and a wide range of weather conditions.
The POC development method: Whole Helmet Concept
Protection is the foundation of every helmet, allowing skiers and snowboarders to tackle the variable conditions of the mountain—and the terrain they choose for their descents—with greater confidence.
This approach underpins Arcus and POC’s “Whole Helmet Concept”—a design philosophy in which every component is developed to work in synergy with the others, ensuring that the overall result exceeds the value of the individual elements.
Oscar Huss, Chief Product Officer at POC, elaborates on the project: “With Arcus, we wanted to introduce a new level of attention to detail, quality, and precision to a helmet designed for all-mountain use. We drew inspiration from our racing heritage and our award-winning helmets, developing the product according to our ‘Whole Helmet Concept’.”
Each feature is harmoniously integrated and designed to work in tandem with the others, creating a product whose overall value exceeds the sum of its individual parts. Arcus is exceptionally lightweight, highly ventilated, and fully adjustable, offering premium comfort and extraordinary levels of protection. We are immensely proud of the result and of what it will offer to performance-minded skiers and snowboarders.”
POC Arcus: Technical Features
The main features of the new POC Arcus all-mountain helmet include:
- Hybrid shell: ABS lower structure and polycarbonate upper section featuring in-mould technology, combining durability with a lightweight design.
- EPS liner: lightweight construction.
- Cycling-inspired ventilation: deeper air channels to promote more efficient heat dissipation.
- Adjustable ventilation: central three-position magnetic system, operable even while wearing gloves.
- BOA® System: precise and flexible adjustment, with uniform pressure distribution and a reduction in pressure points.
- Fidlock HOOK 20 buckle: a secure and easy-to-use fastener.
- Mips® Air Node: a rotational impact protection system designed to keep weight down.
- Ventilation channels for the mask: these facilitate the escape of heat and help reduce fogging.
- Integrated mask clip: a flexible rear component to keep the mask securely in place.
- Removable earflaps: greater versatility across a wide range of temperatures.
- Safety certifications: EN 1077 and ASTM 2040.
