I also noticed that the vent holes on the Trabec looked particularly small, but this is also by design: they’re smaller to add more coverage and protection for your head. And while it would seem like this would cause the Trabec to vent less efficiently, I found the helmet to vent quite well.
Hidden inside the Trabec are three venting channels that run lengthwise to transfer air front to back. Also hidden under the removable visor are two small vents that capture some of the air scooped by the visor and direct it straight to your sweaty forehead.
I like to sleep in, and I work at night, so I’m a heat-of-the-day rider. Plus, I sweat a lot. On the trail, I’ve found that with the Trabec I have less sweat dripping down my forehead and onto the lenses of my riding glasses than I’ve had with other helmets in the past. I don’t know whether the Trabec’s pad is more absorbent, or that it more effectively channels the sweat away from the front of my face, but between the pad and the venting, I have less helmet-to-lens and brow-to-lens sweat drips than ever before.
Another nice touch is that both the inner padding and the straps are treated with Polygiene to control odor by preventing the growth of bacteria and fungi. I’m no scientist, but my sense of smell is intact, and I can confirm that my helmet does not smell, even after six weeks of heavy riding. The chinstrap is sweat stained and caked with salt but remains shockingly odor free.
I’ve put the Trabec through the usual paces over the course of the last six weeks. I’ve used and abused it just like every other helmet I’ve ever owned. I’ve taken sticks and branches to the head at speed and tossed it haphazardly into the bed of my truck after rides. The outer shell has proven to be incredibly scratch and dent resistant, and the removable visor is no worse for the wear. In fact, the helmet barely looks any different than the day I got it.
Fortunately for me (though perhaps unfortunately for you), I’ve yet to put the Trabec through the ultimate test. All of the crashes I’ve taken while reviewing this helmet have been minor and haven’t involved my head smacking any solid objects. Should that day come, I’ll certainly update.
Bottom Line:
My experience with the Trabec has been entirely positive. It is a lightweight, well vented, and safety-featured helmet that provides impressive coverage and, in my opinion, progressive styling. That styling and the solid colors might take a little getting used to, but they grew on my riding buddies and me before I knew it.
And like POC’s styling, their sizes also run a bit different. So if you do decide to buy a POC helmet, however, do your homework on the sizing, try one on, or order it from a place with a great return policy.
Hi Jeremy!
Thanks for a great review of the POC Trabec. I really want to get one and the sizing is what’s putting me off. I’ve tried both the M/L and the XL/XXL. They both seem to fit fine…arrgghh!!! I normally take size Large in bike helmets (def. in full-face, like the Giro Remedy). In hindsight, would you have gone with the XL/XXL instead, given that you commented that the helmet felt snug at first? Has it “loosened” up over time?