Interbike 2014: Lightweight POC VPD Air protection

Less padding beats no padding at all

With an eye toward converting riders who find most pads too heavy, hot, or restrictive, Sweden’s POC has released the VPD Air collection.  Comprising of pared-back knee and elbow pads, the Airs use the same viscoelastic polymer dough as the standard VPD pieces for soft protection that hardens on impact.  Despite being ‘less’ of pretty much everything than their all-mountain-oriented siblings, the trail-oriented pieces still meet European Class II motorcycle protection standards.

While the company sees unprotected riders as the main market for the VPD Air line, the also suggest mixing standard VPD knee pads with the Air elbows for bigger rides or hotter days.

Also on show was the Crane MIPS helmet- POC’s eighth featuring the rotation-damping technology.  Unlike most trail helmets, which must be retired once crashed on, the Crane is intended to withstand multiple impacts, its dent-resistant shell protecting the dual-density foam within.