How safe is the Cytal according to independent testing?

Virginia Tech's Helmet Lab rated the Cytal (tested 2025) five stars with a score of 7.511 — lower is better, and it is one of the best road-helmet results in their table. The Cytal Carbon (tested 2024) scored 12.648, four stars. The difference matters: only the standard Cytal lists Mips Air Node on POC's page.

Cytal, Cytal Carbon or Cytal Lite?

POC's weights in size M: Cytal 270 g, Cytal Carbon 250 g, Cytal Lite 200 g. The standard Cytal is the all-rounder, with Mips Air Node and a dual-density EPS liner. The Carbon adds a carbon wing and more open front ports. The Lite strips the shell back to where it is strictly needed to reach 200 g. Only the standard Cytal lists a Mips system on POC's pages — and it holds the best Virginia Tech score of the three.

Omne Air, Ventral Air or Cytal?

POC positions them differently. The Omne Air is the all-rounder for commuting, gravel and road, 310 g in M. The Ventral Air is the aero road helmet, with a 22° trailing edge and internal airflow channels, 240 g in M. The Cytal is the ventilated race helmet with an integrated wing, 270 g in M, and the best Virginia Tech result of the range. All three use Mips Air Node and an eye garage.

POC Cytal Cycling Helmet

Hydrogen White

€223,93

~~€320,00~~ €223,93

Tax Included
EU Destination Selected (Spain)

Low stock: 2 left

Technologies

Best for

Road racing
Hot days
Gravel

POC Cytal Cycling Helmet - Hydrogen White

Technologies

Safety rating

★★★★★7.51

Virginia Tech Helmet Lab, independent impact testing. Lower score is better.

See this helmet on Virginia Tech ↗

Specifications

Claimed weight	250 / 270 / 300 g (S / M / L)
Sizes	S · M · L
Certifications	EN 1078, CPSC 1203, AS/NZS 2063
Rotational protection	Mips Air Node

Large airflow channels

Deep channels run through the Cytal and carry air across the whole head, not just over the vents at the front.

Dual-density EPS liner

The liner uses two densities of EPS: denser in the upper part and less dense in the lower section, to optimise crash protection while keeping weight low.

Integrated wing

A wing moulded into the Cytal's structure. POC uses it to add structural stability and to steer air through and around the helmet. The Cytal Lite uses a thinner version to save weight; the Cytal Carbon makes it from carbon.

PC shell

A lightweight polycarbonate outer shell, moulded to the liner, that improves structural stability and the integrity of the helmet.

Mips Air Node

POC's rotational-impact system on this helmet: a low-friction layer laminated to the base of the comfort padding instead of a separate plastic liner, so it adds almost no weight and leaves the vents clear. It works to improve protection against the rotational forces of an angled impact.

Eye garage

High-friction pads at the front of the helmet that hold your sunglasses securely when you take them off on a climb or in a café stop — no more sunglasses in the jersey pocket.

Adjustable 360° fit

A lightweight adjustment system that runs around the head, making it easy to find a secure, comfortable fit.

Adjustable strap dividers

The strap dividers beneath the ears are fully adjustable, making it easy to find a precise and secure fit.

POC Cytal Cycling Helmet - Hydrogen White

Compare with

	POC CytalPOC's ventilated race helmet, and on independent evidence one of the safest road helmets you can buy: Virginia Tech rated it five stars with a score of 7.511	POC Cytal Lite Choose it if weight is the priority: 200 g in size M, the lightest in POC's road range.	POC Ventral Air MIPS Choose it for aero: a 22° trailing edge and internal airflow channels, 240 g in M.
Regular price	€223,93	€350,00	€194,99
Safety rating	★★★★★ 7.51	—	—
Claimed weight	250 / 270 / 300 g (S / M / L)	180 / 200 / 220 g (S / M / L)	220 / 240 / 260 g (S / M / L)
Sizes	S · M · L	S · M · L	S · M · L
Certifications	EN 1078, CPSC 1203, AS/NZS 2063	EN 1078	EN 1078, AS/NZS 2063, JCF
Rotational protection	Mips Air Node	—	Mips Air Node

POC Cytal

Size guide

Size	Head circumference (cm)	Head circumference (in)
S	50–56	20–22
M	54–59	21–23
L	56–61	22–24

How to measure

Wrap a tape measure around your head just above the ears and eyebrows, keeping it level, and read the circumference in centimetres. Where two sizes overlap, head shape decides: try both, or ask us.

SIZE SMALL MEDIUM LARGE

Description

POC's ventilated race helmet, and on independent evidence one of the safest road helmets you can buy: Virginia Tech rated it five stars with a score of 7.511. Deep airflow channels and an integrated wing handle the air; Mips Air Node and a dual-density EPS liner handle the impacts, at 270 g in size M.

Virginia Tech five stars, score 7.511 (tested 2025) — lower is better
Mips Air Node laminated into the padding, plus a dual-density EPS liner: denser above, lighter below
Deep airflow channels and an integrated wing for stability and ventilation
Eye garage for sunglasses and adjustable strap dividers; 250 / 270 / 300 g in S / M / L

Available sizes