POC products - Review

This is a review and report of the following POC products that I've used for last season; Spine VPD Tee, Hip VPD Shorts, Bone VPD Leg, Bone Arm, Joint Ankle, Cortex Flow, Index DH and Iris DH goggles.

I started riding downhill last summer and I ended up buying a full set of POC armor and an Orange 224 evolution DH-bike. Since then I've been riding any time that I've had free time. Basically I have tested all the equipment I bought by crashing with them on, so I thought it would be good to write a review. I've taken pictures of each product after one season and I've also included pictures of my injuries that I've had while wearing this armor. I've also put some of my ideas on how to develop the products further. By the way I'm from Finland so excuse my grammatical errors.Here is a video where I'm using these products:

DEEHOO - Laajavuori

by cosaleo

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About POC:
The thing I love about POC gear is that they have had a fresh start and have not copied anything. The design is unique and pure Scandinavian. All the products have been well made and they have taken lots of time to figure them out in an innovative way. I like their business idea. I have read a lot about their success and I've used their brand as an example to my customers how one should develop business through design.

Since I bought all my POC armor(6/2009), I've had three different, bigger crashes and a different kind injury from each of them: One dislocated/broken little finger, broken collar bone and many scratches/bumps to my knee.

Here is the new set of POC armor on me. The other pictures are taken after I've used them for one season:

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POC manufacturers customer service:
Overview: I have tried to contact POC to ask where I can buy the products and have also e-mailed them about the same thing. I've tried to give some feedback about their products, but they have not answered me at all. This is the worst service I've ever had. Usually at least something is answered. I got the supplier info from the THE-supplier in Finland. The POC supplier's (JK-Shop) service is brilliant.

Suggestions on how to improve: Anything is better than the current service that they offer.

*Editor's Note: Cosaleo is from Finland and his customer service woes are very much the opposite to what we at Pinkbike have experienced in North America. Both the Canadian and US distribution centers have shown to be more than competent and knowledgeable of all their products. It's unfortunate that he's had such a bad experience as all of ours have been above par with both North American distribution centers.*

Points 1/10

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Spine VPD Tee:

Overview: This is a brilliant product. The VPD backplate is really comfortable and the jacket stays on perfectly. I like to use it without the waist band because the back protector feels better that way. The VPD Tee feels well ventilated in warm weather and also under a jacket during winter. The only problem is that it stinks after you have been using it.

Injuries: I broke my collar bone when I crashed over the handlebars. I did a proper landing but still my collarbone broke. I have been training judo for over fifteen years (I know how to land when going over my head) and I'm not sure if the shoulder pad broke the bone during landing. When I lift my shoulder, the pad touches the very place the bone broke. Attached is also an x-ray of the injury. After I recovered from the injury, I have tried not to use my arm to guide my landing when going over the handlebar. I have had similar crashes since and I have had no problems so this product works well.


Suggestions on how to improve: They could make instructions of how to try crash properly and how to practice proper landing during crashes. Other safety tips would be great. I'm not sure if the collar bone can be protected in any way but if there is an option it would be great.

Points 9/10

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Hip VPD Shorts

Overview: This is a comfortable and useful product. So far this product has been servicing me without any major complaints. The fabric has ripped a little bit during my crashes. It's also been taking on color from the other fabrics in the product during wash, which is awkward.

Injuries: The Hip VPD short protects well because I haven't got any big injuries for that area. I've only had some scratches from my handlebar and saddle etc.

Suggestions on how to improve: If there was a non-puncturable material as in gloves that the police use, then the scratches could be prevented. I have been getting bruises and scratches to the area a lot. From the picture you can see that when the saddle broke, the saddle bar went through the Oakley shorts and VPD Shorts.

Points 9.5/10

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Bone VPD Leg:

Overview: These knee pads have been a good choice to protect my knees and shins. They look good. Although they are not as comfortable to wear as they could be. They try to slide down when riding and I need to correct them in place every now and then, because of that, I'm not sure if the size is correct for me. These knee pads are good when it comes to a direct hit but they don't protect the knee very well when sliding sideways during a crash. One bad thing about them is that POC logos are coming off from both of them. The same thing happens with Bone Arm.

Injuries: I've had several cuts and bruises where the pads have slid away when I have fallen off the bike and slide along the ground.


Suggestions on how to improve: I think there should be better bindings/straps on the upper leg like the joint VPD knee has. There could be some fabric around the knee that protects it. Also a size guide on the web page would be nice too, because sometimes you order these products from the net and can not try them on.

Points 8/10

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Bone Arm:

Overview:the Bone arm is a hard shell elbow armor. It's been a good product for protecting arms and there have not been any troubles or injuries. I'm happy with this product because it gives good protection and it feels good. It's also cool to wear because of the ventilation.

Injuries: None.

Suggestions on how to improve: Keep it this way.

Points 10/10

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Joint Ankle:

Overview: I have been using this product with Five Ten Impact shoes. It backfills the shoes' features by protecting the ankle bones from impacts. They are really comfortable and light so you don't notice them on. There is also a protection for the Achilles tendon.

Injuries: None.

Suggestions on how to improve: One of the Joint Ankles inside has been broken so it does not protect the tendon any more. It could be made of a stronger material I guess.

Points 9/10

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Cortex Flow:

Overview: Very light helmet made of fiberglass and plastic. Weight of this helmet is one kilogram. The helmet feels comfortable in hot or cold weather (Tested +28C to -12C).

Injuries: None. I haven't had a single hit on the helmet during any of my crashes.

Suggestions on how to improve: The finishing varnish is now matte and it scratches really easily so the helmet looks really old after only one or two weeks of using it. The finishing should be better, yet still matte. This can be a challenge for the manufacturer in China.

Points 8.5/10

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INDEX DH:

Overview:These gloves are really good. They have been properly done and the design is good. They fit my fingers well and protect my knuckles from damage when riding too close to trees. They also protect wrists well because there is some hard plastic at the palm side of the hand.

Injuries: I crashed after a small drop and dislocated my little finger on my left hand. My doctor thought it was also broken but not seriously.

Suggestions on how to improve: They could put the two smallest fingers together to prevent dislocation. Two fingers together are stronger than a separate one. Here is a solution I done to prevented more damage to my little fingers. FE: Alpinestars use this feature in one of their road racing gloves.

Points 9.5/10

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Iris DH:

Overview:These goggles are basic stuff. Nothing really special about them. I managed to scratch the lens too easily from both sides. The white color in the strap is total bull because it was not white after one trip. The good thing is that there is some silicone on the other side so the goggles stay on the helmet really well. The tear-offs aren't good at all for many reasons. The tear-offs are too thick. If you put two or more on you can not see through them properly. The tear-offs are too long and they don't have a second holding point so they slap against your face if you turn your head. I've cut off the rest of the tear-off to prevent that from happening. These goggles are nice and comfortable to wear and they don't get fogged up too easily. I'll probably change to another brand if there are no changes made to these issues in 2010. POC have introduced new goggles at Interbike 2009. They look like skiing goggles but I'll give them a chance. Here is a picture of them.

Injuries: None. I think the frame material is good because it is soft. Probably helps it to prevent injuries.

Suggestions on how to improve: Better instructions on how to keep the lens clean and avoid scratching. The strap should be made of a more stain-proof material.

Points 5/10

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Whole POC set:
Good: Comfort, protection, design
Bad: Service, instructions, lack of stain-proof, smell
Points 7.7/10 (Editor's Note: Due to Cosaleo's poor service in Finland, his overall rating is lower than what it would have been if he'd had any experiences similar to us in the North America. His rating of each protective piece is very well received so don't let the overall rating hinder you from checking out POC in 2010.)