There’s a brand new POC Cytal Lite helmet that’s been developed to maintain you cool within the hottest circumstances. It’s already been noticed on the Tour with EF seeking to preserve from overheating on hotter climbing days.
On the surface, it appears to be like like a easy replace to POC’s newest aero all-rounder Cytal helmet, simply with extra vent openings. And but inside, it holds one easy however efficient secret weapon to retaining your head cooler.
Nevertheless it isn’t solely foolproof. I’ve been driving and sweating within the new Cytal Lite for less than per week now, but it surely’s already made me rethink helmet cooling…
POC Cytal Lite light-weight, absolutely vented highway helmet
The brand new POC Cytal Lite is undeniably ultralight at simply 200g. That’s nearly a 3rd lighter than its latest Cytal helmet. Actually, mine is even lighter. And based mostly on our earlier measurement of POC’s Ventral Lite 4 years in the past, that is doubtless their lightest-ever highway bike helmet. Weigh weenies might in all probability cease there, as this feels nearly weightless in your head, with none lack of match adjustability.
However enhanced cooling airflow – particularly at extra lifelike 20-30km/hr speeds – was simply as vital for POC once they created the Cytal Lite. “The result’s a helmet that completely meets the calls for of climbers, ‘col hunters,’ and anybody driving in scorching climates who wants most cooling and air flow,” explains POC’s Magnus Gustafsson.
And that’s why it ditches the traditional horizontal brown pad structure for a few extra open vertical pads in your brow.
Tech particulars
max-vented light-weight highway helmet, with out compromising on match or security
12 ahead vents,5 high vents & 6 rear exhaust vents
open inner padding with no horizontal pad throughout your brow for elevated airflow (optionally available)
light-weight low-density EPS foam liner co-molded with minimalist polycarbonate shell
light-weight buckle & minimalist straps retain ear place adjustability
360° dial match adjustment with vertical place adjustment
optionally available horizontal brown padding
optionally available Eye Storage grippers to securely maintain sun shades
two CE EN1078 or US CPSC licensed variations to optimize weight
ultra-lightweight, as gentle as 180g (CE, dimension small) CE: S 180g, M 200g & L 220gCPSC: S 240g, M 250g & L 300g
3 wide selection sizes: S(50-56cm), M (54-59cm) & Massive (56-61cm)
195g precise weight – CE, dimension Medium
Evaluate: Sweating it out on scorching days
The brand new POC Cytal Lite definitely feels gentle and well-ventilated out on the highway. Nevertheless it’s actually the unusual pad structure inside that units it other than most helmets.
I’m undeniably a heavy sweater, year-round actually, so I hoped this vertical-only padding configuration would imply extra air shifting throughout my forehead and a cooler head.
Descending right into a cooler creek valley after the primary longer climb of the day, the additional cooling on my brow felt refreshing. However earlier than the highest of the second climb on a muggy day, I spotted that with no horizontal pad, sweat rolled straight off my forehead, down my brow and into my eyes. Curiously, it appears to be like just like the vertical pads line up about with the thickest a part of my eyebrows the place they may help divert sweat. However the remaining open channels simply enable sweat to run down onto the bridge of my nostril, and into each inside & outdoors corners of my eyes.
It was not a difficulty on a shorter, cooler journey I did with the helmet days earlier than. Nevertheless it’s sufficient of a difficulty that I’ve swapped within the extra standard horizontal ‘bridge pad’ that POC consists of with the helmet.
Herein lies the fantastic thing about the distinctive pad structure. Everybody can strive the vertical pads, and it’s simple & trouble-free to swap again to a extra standard structure if it doesn’t swimsuit you.
Parting ideas
The brand new Cytal Lite is nearly precisely the identical tall, angular general form and profile because the latest Cytal, together with its inner air flow channels.
This new one simply has extra open space for improved airflow and a uniquely customizable entrance pad structure. And it’s significantly light-weight, at simply 195g for my large head’s medium helmet in Europe.
Meaning making your alternative is as simple as asking whether or not you prioritize retaining cool or incremental aerodynamic enhancements. If I needed to decide one, I might go together with the Cytal Lite, however solely as a result of I’m at all times scorching. In actuality, I now have each and can use each. The usual Cytal nonetheless presents loads of air flow for many of my rides – greater than most aero all-rounder helmets. However anytime I determine to move out and rack up extra meters of climbing than regular, or if the mercury is predicted to surpass 28-30°C, the Cytal Lite can be my alternative for highway, gravel, and possibly even some summer time XC marathon-style bike driving..
POC Cytal Lite – Pricing, choices & availability
The brand new ultralight, ultra-vented POC Cytal Lite highway helmet is out there now, straight from POC or in retailer outlets around the globe for $400 / 350€. POC presents it in 3 sizes (S-L) with wide selection overlap, so folks on the sting can dimension up or all the way down to get a bigger/smaller shell general. It is available in matte Hydrogen White with black foam and a black rear panel, or all matte Uranium Black like our take a look at helmet. No publicly accessible EF Professional Biking pink version but, however possibly that may come down the highway?
POC.com
