The features, specs, and price of the POC Fornix MIPS ($230) point to a helmet as well-rounded as its sleek, curvaceous aesthetic. It won’t blow you away in any one area, but it’s a light, adaptable helmet whose comfort comes from smart, minimalist design rather than overbuilt construction. Aside from those who frequent frigid resorts, we think most skiers will be happy with the Fornix’s performance.
Comfort
Warmth
Ventilation
Weight & Bulk
Durability
Sustainability
Weight
1 lb. 1.6 oz.
Construction
In-mold
Vents
10 (6 adjustable)
MIPS
Yes
Pros
Cons
POC Fornix MIPS
For this season's top lids, see our guide to the Best Ski Helmets.
Unlike notably cushy helmets like the Smith Level MIPS and the Atomic Four Amid Pro, the POC Fornix MIPS takes a comparatively minimalist approach to padding. I had my doubts about its comfort at first look, but as soon as I put it on, I found that the precise contouring paired with thoughtful cushion placement created a pleasant, airy cradle for my head. Paired with a Boa-like adjustment dial, the design distributes pressure evenly, making the helmet feel like a (gentle) hug and keeping me protected without feeling stifled.
To top it off, the removable ear pads provide plenty of coverage while staying breathable, and the low-profile nylon chin strap is so light and supple that I never minded its lack of padding.
Because the POC Fornix MIPS is so light and well-ventilated—two traits that serve it well in warm conditions and on backcountry tours—it’s not very warm (even with its adjustable vents closed). I wore it on a slushy spring resort day, and despite the mild temperature, my head got chilled on one windy, shady chairlift ride early in the morning. On cold days, I’d definitely wear a thin beanie under the helmet to seal in more heat. Thankfully, the fit system has a wide range of adjustment, so I don’t think I’d have a problem making room for a layer underneath without feeling constricted.
If you live in a consistently cold climate like the northern Rockies and don’t want to wear a beanie all the time, the Fornix might not be the helmet for you. For icy conditions, I’d go with a more heavily padded (and thus insulated) bucket like the Smith Level or the Giro Ratio.
The Fornix doesn’t have many vents, especially compared to hole-riddled ski helmets like the Smith Vantage 2 MIPS and its 40 distinct openings, but it makes up for that lack in quality. Its 10 vents are long and wide, and the six on top, arranged radially around the crown like flower petals, are adjustable via a paddle switch at the back. A pair of horizontal vents at the forehead helps keep your goggles from fogging, and two more at the very back round out the design.
Overall, the vent layout offers plenty of breathability; I especially like that the six top openings are continuously variable rather than a simple open/shut binary, so you can fine-tune airflow to match conditions. As a skier who runs hot, the Fornix’s max-level ventilation and its bare-bones design were ideal, especially when I stripped off the ear flaps for even more airflow. This helmet is a great match for hot, manky pow days, full spring sun, and even backcountry use when you’re dropping in after a hard uphill.
At 1 pound 1.6 ounces in medium/large, the POC Fornix MIPS is light for a helmet not expressly designed for backcountry use. For comparison, the Smith Summit MIPS—which is uncompromisingly backcountry-oriented—weighs 1 pound, and POC’s own Fornix BC, the touring version of this lid, is actually 10 grams heavier. Plus, that weight is spread across a fairly large surface area, which makes it feel even lighter, at least to me.
The Fornix never felt anything close to clunky, but its massive coverage certainly makes it a bit more “noticeable” than more low-profile buckets. That feeling is mitigated if you remove the ear pads, which also shaves some weight and makes the Fornix an even better candidate for carrying in the skin track. Ditching the ear pads and adding a beanie makes a good modular system for touring, using apparel you’re already stashing in your pack.
The Fornix has an in-mold polycarbonate shell that’s quite rigid and seems highly resistant to dents and punctures (not traits usually associated with the construction type). POC also added aramid bridges to the shell to boost toughness without adding too much weight and bulk. It might not have the burliness of an all-ABS bruiser like the Giro Ratio MIPS and some hybrid in-mold designs, but I definitely think it’ll be durable enough for normal use.
At $230, the Fornix is a bit expensive for an in-mold helmet (the next-priciest in-mold model Better Trail has tested is the Glade Boundary MIPS, which costs $199). You’re paying for the winning combination of lightness, minimalist comfort, and breathability, though, and so I think the price is fair—especially as more and more helmets fall near the $300 line. Don't slam the Fornix around in your trunk, and it should last you for a bunch of seasons.
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Longevity
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Recycled Materials
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Responsible Manufacturing
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Recycled and/or Reduced Packaging
Packaging can add significant waste to outdoor gear purchases, so many brands work to reduce its impact by using recycled materials, incorporating Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper products, and minimizing plastic and paper use. A green check mark indicates a brand uses recycled or reduced materials across all of its packaging, a yellow check indicates moderate or limited use of recycled or reduced packaging, and a red X indicates the brand does not make either of these efforts.
Carbon Footprint Tracking
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Annual Impact Report
Annual impact reports provide transparency and accountability by outlining a brand’s sustainability efforts across areas such as material sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions, waste, water use, supply chains, and packaging. A green check mark indicates a brand publishes a detailed, brand-specific impact report that closely aligns with our sustainability criteria and leaves little room for ambiguity. A yellow check indicates a brand provides some relevant sustainability reporting but lacks detail in key areas or is covered only briefly within a parent company report. A red X indicates a brand does not regularly publish an impact report.
MIPS Liner
The POC Fornix helmet has a MIPS liner, the most common helmet technology for protecting against rotational impacts. MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) uses a plastic insert between the helmet’s shell and liner, which moves independently of your head in a crash to reduce impact force.
Adjustable Fit System
The Fornix doesn't have a Boa system, which has become industry shorthand for effective fit adjustments. However, I found POC’s proprietary dial and sizing system flexible and lightweight, with a wide range of adjustment. It allowed me to swap between a beanie for warmth, a ball cap for sun, and a bare head with ease, all while maintaining a snug, comfortable fit.
My head measures 23¼ in circumference and is on the narrow side. Of the helmets I’ve worn and tested, I usually fit better in Giro models than Smith ones. I usually wear a size large, and I tested the POC Fornix MIPS in an XL/XXL model. Thanks to the adjustment system, I was able to achieve the perfect fit, but I nearly maxed out the cinch, landing in the final 20% of the dial’s range. If I were to purchase the Fornix again, I’d likely go with the M/L version.
POC Obex MIPS ($250): Low-Profile Yet Techy
POC’s Obex and Fornix are the brand’s core all-mountain offerings, but they differ in quite a few ways. For $20 more, the Obex has an even sleeker, smooth aesthetic, adds an ABS panel to the top for added durability, and does a little better at sealing out the cold with more padding and fewer vent openings. The Fornix is more minimalist and ventilated, and it's a slightly better option for crossover resort and backcountry use. The Obex gets the advantage from us for more traditional all-mountain use. For more, read our review of the POC Obex MIPS.
Glade Boundary ($199): Lightweight and Feature-Rich
Glade’s Boundary also features weight-saving in-mold construction—it weighs even a little less than the Fornix—while adding premium touches like a magnetic buckle and a dual-stage (front and rear) adjustable venting system. That said, we had a few comfort-related complaints with the Boundary, including too-small ear pads and a tendency for the plastic fit system to sneak out from under the helmet’s lining. The Boundary is a good deal considering its features, but we found the Fornix better executed overall. For more, read our Glade Boundary MIPS review.
The Fornix MIPS proves that you don’t need a premium feature set—or a premium price point—to provide comfortable, breathable head protection. While it’s not very plush or warm, its well-designed padding and adjustment system, ventilation, and middle-of-the-road price give it a lot of appeal. Plus, its light weight is a boon for skiers who occasionally dip into the backcountry.
Comfort
Warmth
Ventilation
Weight & Bulk
Durability
Sustainability
Sleek-looking and with a sturdy polycarbonate shell, POC’s premium all-mountain helmet is a great choice for hard-chargers. It’s not particularly warm or plush inside, but the materials are built to take a knock.
Comfort
Warmth
Ventilation
Weight & Bulk
Durability
Sustainability
Direct-to-consumer Glade makes a strong case with its lightweight and airy yet feature-rich Boundary, which is equipped for crossover resort and backcountry use. But we were let down by the interior comfort, and the thin build wasn’t confidence inspiring for hard-chargers.
Comfort
Warmth
Ventilation
Weight & Bulk
Durability
Sustainability
If you follow the “less is more” philosophy of gear design, the stripped-down POC Fornix MIPS offers plenty of bang for its (lack of) bulk. You can still get plenty of comfort here unless you prefer an extra-plush helmet, and the Fornix’s minimalist weight and generous ventilation make it a warm-weather, sidecountry- or touring-friendly model. You’ll probably have to stick a beanie under it in colder-than-average weather, but that’s about the only major drawback to this otherwise impressively functional lid.
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