Let’s be honest—safety might be what gets us through the door, but it’s not always what seals the deal. We buy a helmet because it looks good, fits right, doesn’t roast our heads in traffic, and doesn’t make us look like we borrowed it from a Tour de France dropout.
For urban e-bike riders, the helmet question is a little more specific: you’re riding faster, navigating traffic, and probably using your e-bike for more than just weekend workouts. You want something that feels as good as it looks—and protects you if things go sideways.
Today, we’re looking at two of the best helmets out there for urban e-bike riders—the Giro Aries Spherical vs POC Ventral Air MIPS. Both are lightweight, well-ventilated, and equipped with MIPS technology—which, if you ask me, is non-negotiable for city commuting. At this point, a helmet without MIPS just doesn’t make sense for urban riders. Now, which e-bike helmet is worth the investment? Let’s find out.
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Giro Aries Spherical vs POC Ventral Air MIPS: Detailed Comparison
For this comparison, I decided to stick with the Giro Aries Spherical vs POC Ventral Air MIPS for this comparison, since both are go-to picks for serious urban riders.
Here’s where each one pulls ahead.
|
Feature |
Giro Aries Spherical |
POC Ventral Air MIPS |
|
MIPS Protection |
✅ MIPS Spherical |
✅ MIPS Integra |
|
Weight |
✅ ~275g |
✅ ~223g (lighter) |
|
Fit for Rounder Heads |
❌ Runs Narrow |
✅ More Accommodating |
|
Ventilation |
✅ Excellent |
✅ Slight Edge |
|
Integrated Rear Light |
✅ Optional Add-on |
❌ Not Included |
|
High-Vis Color Options |
❌ Limited |
✅ Multiple Bright Options |
|
Price |
~€300 Buy on Giro.com |
~€250–€290 Buy on Amazon |
Giro vs POC: Safety and Real-World Protection
Both Giro and POC offer MIPS, which is basically a layer inside the helmet that cuts down brain impact during angled crashes—which is how most bike accidents happen. But the Giro Aries takes it a step further with MIPS Spherical, a kind of ball-and-socket design where the two foam layers rotate independently. This setup gives your head more protection during angled impacts. That setup earned it a top safety score from Virginia Tech, one of the few independent helmet testing labs out there.
That said, the POC Ventral Air MIPS doesn’t hold back either—it also scored 5 stars in Virginia Tech’s safety tests. It uses MIPS Integra, which is sleeker and integrated right into the padding—so no extra bulk.
POC also builds their helmets with a unibody shell, which means the whole outer shell is made as one piece. This helps the helmet hold together better in a crash and adds extra strength where it counts.
Bottom line? Both helmets are more than capable of protecting you in a crash, and both meet European and U.S. safety standards. Neither is rated specifically for speed-pedelecs under the NTA 8776 standard, but for Class 1 and 2 e-bikes (and most urban use), these are more than solid.
But if you're riding an e-bike and hitting higher speeds, you’ll probably want more than just the essentials. For that, you can consider the Beam’s VIRGO Helmet. It doesn’t just pack in MIPS for brain protection—it also gives you full-face coverage with a slightly extended front edge. So if you ever take a tumble in the city, your jaw and face get that extra layer of safety most urban helmets just don’t offer.
Giro vs POC: Fit and Comfort
The Giro Aries Spherical is ridiculously light—just over 270 grams—and built with Giro’s signature snug fit. It uses the Roc Loc 5+ Air system, which lets you fine-tune both the tension and the tilt, so you can get that just-right fit without crushing your forehead. The ventilation here is top-notch, thanks to 24 deep channels that actually pull air across your head, not just poke holes in the shell. So, there’s that.
It also has a clever sweat management pad up front that keeps sweat from dripping into your eyes at stoplights. That alone checks the go-to box, if you ask me. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
For longer rides or warmer days, that’s a lifesaver. But heads-up: the Aries runs a little small. If you’re usually between sizes, POC might be a better fit for you.
The POC Ventral Air MIPS leans more relaxed in terms of fit. It’s especially good for those e-bike enthusiasts with rounder heads or anyone who doesn’t love the ultra-snug “race fit” feel. The shape inside is generous, the weight’s even lighter than the Giro at just 223g, and the 360° dial lets you lock in the fit without creating pressure points.
When it comes to airflow, the Ventral Air lives up to its name. You get huge front vents and wide exhaust ports that keep things breezy—even when you’re cruising under 25 km/h through the city. If you’re the kind of person who runs hot or commutes in warmer weather, this one’s worth a close look.
Giro vs POC: Urban Style and Visibility
Both helmets have reflective accents, and both play nicely with lights and add-ons. But Giro takes a small win here thanks to its clip-on rear LED light (sold separately). It attaches directly to the back of the fit system—no weird mounts, no DIY hacks. If you're commuting in the early morning or after sundown, that's a handy upgrade.
But if you’re after a helmet that already has a rear light and visor built in, the Beam’s VIRGO Integral might be more your style. The visor helps when you’re riding straight into the sun, and the built-in rear light boosts visibility at night—no need to buy or attach anything extra.
POC is known for bold styling, and the Ventral Air keeps that streak alive. It’s angular, aggressive, and looks like it belongs on a pro peloton. That’s a plus if you like to stand out in traffic—or if you want your helmet to match the bright red frame of your VanMoof. You’ll also find high-vis options like fluorescent orange and reflective logos to boost visibility in low light.
The Giro Aries takes a fancier, more low-profile approach. It’s compact and modern, with a more “classic road helmet” look. The color palette is muted—black, white, matte gray—but tasteful. Great for blending into an urban outfit without looking like you're heading to a time trial.
Giro vs POC: Price and Value
Here’s where the two helmets go their separate ways.
-
Giro Aries Spherical sits around €224-299, give or take depending on the retailer. That’s a premium price, but you're getting Giro’s best safety system, top ventilation, and a lightweight shell that’s honestly hard to beat.
- The POC Ventral Air MIPS is priced in a similar range to the Giro, usually landing around €250–€290. It’s slightly easier on the wallet, and for the fit and airflow alone, it’s one of the best value picks among high-end helmets.
Giro vs POC: Tech Features and Accessories
Neither helmet comes with a visor or built-in lights, but both are compatible with accessories urban riders care about. They have built-in sunglasses docks (that actually work), and the interiors are padded just enough to use with earbuds or bone-conduction headphones.
Giro offers a few more perks here, including sweat-wicking antimicrobial padding and that optional LED rear light. Meanwhile, some versions of the POC Ventral Air (like the NFC edition) include a medical ID chip that first responders can scan in case of a crash. If safety tech matters to you, that’s worth tracking down.
Final Verdict
If you’re riding an e-bike through city streets, mixing it up with cars, pedestrians, and the occasional distracted driver, your helmet must check a few essential boxes: comfort, cooling, safety, and visibility.
Both the Giro Aries Spherical and the POC Ventral Air MIPS hit those marks. But each has its own strengths and trade-offs. Here’s my take.
- Go with the Giro Aries if you want top-tier safety, race-level cooling, and a compact design that won’t weigh you down. The optional rear light is a bonus for commuters, and the build quality feels every bit of its premium price.
- Pick the POC Ventral Air MIPS if you value ventilation, comfort, and style—especially if you want something bold or high-vis. It fits a wider range of head shapes and costs a little less, while still offering elite-level protection.
Conclusion
In the end, both Giro vs POC are more than capable of handling daily e-bike tasks. They’re super light, protective, and comfortable enough to forget you’re even wearing them. But if you’re still on the fence—or just want to browse other top-tier urban helmets that fit your style better—check out The Beam’s full lineup. There’s something for every rider, from minimalist designs to helmets that turn heads at every red light. Whatever you pick, ride safe—and don’t forget to buckle up.
