POC: Protect Yourself on the Slopes

Protect Yourself on the Slopes: POC SPIN Helmets, Clarity Lenses & POC Layer at Start Haus

Can you believe that ski helmets have only been widely used for less than a decade? Ski helmets were first required for downhill ski racing right here in Tahoe at the 1960 Olympics at Squaw Valley U.S.A., following the death of Canadian downhiller John Semmelink at Garmisch in 1959. Then it took more than three decades and the deaths of Michael Kennedy, Sonny Bono and Natalia Richardson from head trauma before ski helmets started becoming mainstream on the slopes in 2010. Ski helmets have evolved incredibly in design and protection since their start in leather then repurposed moto sports helmets. POC has emerged as a leader in the field for innovation and safety for gravity sports. Start Haus in Truckee, California carries POC SPIN helmets, Clarity goggles and POC Layer with innovative technology that deliver a distinct edge in safety, winning top SIA awards for 2017-2018.

SPIN

S.P.I.N. Tech may sound familiar - used by Marvel's heroes in The Avengers, S.P.I.N. (Super-Power-Inhibiting Nanobots) Technology removed super powers from their enemies. In reality, POC's SPIN technology was developed by scientists and engineers to counter the effects of oblique impacts on the brain for ski racers and everyone who gets after it on the slopes (SPIN: Shear Panel INside).

The most common type of fall results in an angled, or oblique, impact with a surface which can lead to a rotation of the helmet and head. The force required to cause serious head injury is much lower from an oblique impact than from a linear impact, so improving protection against angled falls is vital. SPIN pads are constructed to be able to shear in any direction under any force, so they work to enhance protection of the brain by allowing the helmet to move relative to the head upon impact.

POC has incorporated SPIN pads into 5 different existing helmet models, providing an extra layer of protection without altering the fit and comfort of their helmets. The pads sit directly against the wearer’s head, replacing traditional foam pads.

SPIN

Artic SL SPIN

The POC Artic SL SPIN helmet features a breakthrough design specifically for slalom racers. The Artic SL SPIN features the unique detachable and adjustable Maxilla break away chin guard, which can be fixed or set to break away at varying impact levels, designed to minimize any potential injury to the neck or face.

Artic SL

Clarity Lenses

POC Clarity lenses are another safety innovation for 2017-2018, offering a new level of optical performance for skiers and riders. Developed with industry leaders Zeiss Vision Sunlens, these lenses are designed to enhance vision by significantly improving contrast and light in three conditions: sunny, partly sunny and overcast. POC Clarity goggles are designed for all day, all mountain performance and POC Clarity Comp are tuned to meet the needs of competition skiers with light frequency profiles which have been maximized for use in intense short term periods typically associated with ski racing.

Clarity Lens

Layer

Another innovative and award-winning new product for ski racers is the POC Layer. Protecting your skin may not be something you think about unless you know someone who has come in contact with a sharp edge, but when that happens, it can be catastrophic. From young racers to professionals, when razor sharp ski edges collide with bodies the cuts and abrasions can result in season-ending injuries and lasting pain. POC Layer is designed to be sleek and impenetrable, protecting the skier from lacerations without encumbering movement. (And you just might look more like a super hero in it.)

Layer Base

Resorts are opening in Lake Tahoe, California and we've got fresh snow. Stop into Start Haus in Truckee and talk to our expert, friendly staff and check out equipment that can improve your days on the mountain, whether you are racing or shredding with friends and family.

Check out the full selection here.