While POC now makes cutting edge helmets for just about every gravity fed sport, their roots lie in the snow. The POC Auric Cut Backcountry Spin ski and snowboard helmet is a perfect example of why the Swedish company is fast becoming a trend and standard setter for safety in just about every action sports arena. As always, we are safety conscious here at Gearhacker, and the POC Auric Cut Backcountry Spin helmet brings safety features in spades.

Compare to Similar Products

See Our Best Ski & Snowboard Helmet Review 2021 HERE!

Comfort and Fit

The POC Auric Cut Backcountry Spin helmet uses POC’s patented Spin technology, which we will explain in detail below. However, the gel padding that is a part of that protection system is also extremely comfortable, leading numerous riders to refer to the POC Auric Cut Backcountry Spin as having a “pillow-like” feel on your head. The Spin system is also integrated into the retention system of the helmet, helping to add comfort and protection as the helmet adapts to the shape of your head.

One note for the POC Auric Cut Backcountry Spin is that it tends to fit about a size larger than most other ski and snowboard helmets.

Warmth

The POC Auric Cut Backcountry Spin is a warm helmet by just about any standards. The vents shut tight against the wind, and the earpads squeeze tight, but comfortably, against your cheeks.

Ventilation

The POC Auric Cut Backcountry Spin is an extremely well-ventilated helmet that will not melt your head on those late spring days. While it only features 10 vents, they are large and well placed and, along with the removable ear pads, help the POC Auric Cut Backcountry Spin stay just as cool as helmets with many more, though not nearly as cool as the Salomon MTN Lab.

Safety Tech and Additional Features

While the POC Auric Cut Backcountry Spin is a great helmet by just about any standard, this is the category where it really shines. The ABS outer shell is bonded to its EPP liner, which is further backed up by POC’s own Spin system.

Spin technology is POC’s in house answer to, and improvement on, MIPS. The Spin system is comprised of gel-filled padding inside the helmet. This padding rotates on the riders head without sheering away from the rest of the helmet. In this way, it helps to reduce the rotational impacts that MIPS addresses, but the gel padding also helps to provide additional impact absorption from whatever angle the impact comes.

The POC Auric Cut Backcountry Spin is also outfitted with a Recco avalanche rescue reflector, which could be the difference between life and death for riders using this helmet in the backcountry.

Finally, the POC Auric Cut Backcountry Spin has a very skate/park inspired look. This makes it extremely attractive for people who prefer this style but want a ski and snowboard helmet with the full complement of all mountain features.

Goggle Compatibility

The POC Auric Cut Backcountry Spin works well with just about any goggle that you pair it with, although it will naturally shine when paired with POC’s own goggles. Two vents in the brow also do a great job of keeping moisture siphoned away from your goggles so that they stay fog free.

Weight

At 538g, the POC Auric Cut Backcountry Spin is not an ultralight helmet. However, we are happy to carry those few extra grams on our heads, in exchange for the helmets bombproof construction and cutting edge safety features.

The Bottom Line

If you want a park styled ski and snowboard helmet that matches the best helmets on the market in terms of safety, warmth, and ventilation, and is even worthy of backcountry trips, then look no further than the POC Auric Cut Backcountry Spin ski and snowboard helmet. Finally, with a list price of $220 and sale prices as low as $153, the POC Auric Cut Backcountry Spin also represents one of the best price to performance ratios of any ski and snowboard helmet on our list.

^ Back to Top ^