POC Obex BC MIPS Ski Helmet Review
The POC Obex BC MIPS ($300) is a backcountry-focused helmet with resort-level comfort, a rare mix in this category. It’s slightly heavier and much more expensive than most of its touring peers, but we found the fit, feel, and feature set compelling enough to (mostly) justify the bump in price. Warmth and ventilation both land near the middle of the pack, and, yes, its much-touted tech loadout might be more about marketing than practical rescue utility. But the almost unbelievable comfort this helmet provides? That’s plenty real.
Comfort
Warmth
Ventilation
Weight & Bulk
Durability
Sustainability
Weight
1 lb. 1.6 oz.
Construction
Hybrid in-mold
Vents
11 (3 adjustable)
MIPS
Yes
Pros
Cons
POC Obex BC MIPS
For this season's top lids, see our guide to the Best Ski Helmets.
The POC Obex BC MIPS immediately distinguished itself from other ski helmets I’ve worn thanks to its fantastic feel, which is not a quality usually associated with backcountry-specific lids. Most lightweight, touring-focused helmets compromise padding and interior feel in the name of breathability and lower weight, but the Obex manages to mostly nail those without skimping on comfort. Although the padding inside is on the thin side and it doesn’t have a removable liner like the Salomon Mtn Lab or the Giro Grid, the helmet fit my head so well out of the box that I never once found myself wishing for a thicker cushion or other features.
The POC Obex BC’s adjustability also deserves credit. I often end up stuck between sizes or battling tight pressure around the temples. With the Obex, I had the rear adjustment dial nearly maxed out at first, then fine-tuned it slightly with a few clicks for the perfect tension. That flexibility allowed me to use it just as easily with a Buff or balaclava underneath on cold days as I did without one during warmer weather or on steep bootpacks. The adjustment dial never interfered with comfort, either, and I appreciated how customizable the whole system felt depending on which layers I had on.
I also liked that the Obex BC’s ear pads pop in and out with very little effort. I skied the majority of the season without them—they simply click off with a bit of force and go right back on just as easily—which gave the helmet better breathability and a cleaner look, both of which I prefer. (On cold days, I wore a layer instead, and that kept my ears warm without needing the bulk of the pads.) Over a full season of use—including long ski days that featured mountaineering approaches and technical descents—I never once felt like the Obex detracted from my experience. It remained satisfying the entire time, whether I was wearing it for hours or just dropping in for a few laps. While a more streamlined backcountry helmet like the Salomon Mtn Lab might shed a few grams and vent slightly better, I’d trade that marginal gain for the all-day comfort of this one.
For a backcountry helmet, the Obex BC is on the warmer end of the spectrum. It doesn’t have a removable liner like the Mtn Lab or Grid, but the extra padding (compared to those models) and beefier build help retain a bit more heat than lighter competitors. That makes it a reasonable crossover option for inbounds use, though it still falls short of the warmest resort helmets Better Trail has tested, like the Sweet Protection Switcher.
I used the Obex in temperatures down to -15°F and found its performance fairly predictable. On bitterly cold days, especially when I was skiing fast, I got that familiar brain freeze, likely due to the fixed vents right above the brow. A Buff or balaclava was a must below about 20°F, but in moderate conditions, I didn’t need anything extra. On warm days, I usually pulled the ear pads off and skied with just a light face covering underneath, which struck a nice balance between breathability and coverage.
Compared to the featherweight Smith Summit (which has zero padding and no liner), the Obex BC feels downright cozy, and I think it’s a solid choice for anyone who wants more comfort without totally compromising ventilation. It doesn’t come close to the furnace-like warmth of dedicated resort helmets, of course, but it doesn’t weigh nearly as much, either.
The Obex BC’s venting system is fairly straightforward and gets the job done. There are 11 vents in total, with three large openings on the top that can be toggled open or closed. The remaining vents—located at the front, sides, and rear—are permanently open. While not as extensive as the Summit’s 33 tiny vents or as aggressive as the Mtn Lab’s large openings, the system here felt thoughtfully tuned for a wide range of conditions.
I started to heat up on warm days spent in the sun, but not to an uncomfortable degree. Sliding open the top vents helped noticeably, and though I wouldn’t call the airflow luxurious, it was sufficient to keep me from overheating. Skiers who prioritize maximum breathability might still prefer the Summit’s always-open design or the Grid’s fully adjustable (but smaller) ports, but I think the POC Obex BC MIPS strikes a solid middle ground.
Weighing 1 pound 1.6 ounces, the Obex BC is the heaviest backcountry helmet we tested, but not by much. It’s a few ounces heavier than the Salomon Mtn Lab and Giro Grid Spherical (both 14.1 oz.) and slightly heavier than the Smith Summit (1 lb. even), but I don’t think you’d notice at all when it’s strapped to your pack. In fact, the Obex’s weight works in its favor a bit. It gave me more confidence in the helmet’s durability and protection than the featherweight Summit, but it still never felt clunky or overbuilt.
Compared to resort helmets, which can feel round and bulky, the Obex has a noticeably sleeker silhouette and more refined shape. The rounded profile does ride a bit higher than something like the flatter-topped Summit, but I never found it awkward or unwieldy, even when packing it away. If you're prioritizing ultimate packability or shaving grams for long ski mountaineering days, lighter options exist. But for most backcountry use, the Obex feels light enough to disappear from your mental checklist without sacrificing comfort or security.
The POC Obex BC MIPS is one of the more confidence-inspiring ski helmets I’ve worn in this category. Like the Summit it’s built with hybrid in-mold construction, which is more protective than the full in-mold builds used on the Mtn Lab and Grid. The outer plastic isn’t as thick as some heavy-duty resort helmets, but it feels solid and well-executed, with clean lines, tight seams, and it still looks sharp after 20 days of use.
After repeated stuffing into lockers, dragging through branches, and general touring abuse, my test unit shows only light cosmetic scuffs and a few scratches. The adjustment dial still functions smoothly, the buckle showed no signs of wear, and the interior padding has held its shape. While it might not be as dent-resistant as a full-shell resort model, we’d argue that no ski helmet should be used after a major impact anyway. Compared to the Grid and Mtn Lab—which both felt slightly flimsier—this helmet gave us more trust in its long-term performance. And despite the lightweight design, we didn’t feel like we were giving up protection or build quality.
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Longevity
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Recycled Materials
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Responsible Manufacturing
This criterion evaluates a brand’s commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing environmental impact through certifications and programs like Fair Trade Certified, Fair Wear Foundation, Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), and the Fair Labor Association, while also recognizing brands that manufacture primarily in the U.S. or Europe under strict labor and environmental regulations. A green check mark indicates a brand meets our responsible manufacturing criteria, while a red X means it does not.
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
This criterion evaluates whether a brand measures, reports, and works to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions using established frameworks such as the Higg Index, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or The Change Climate Project. A green check mark indicates a brand publicly reports greenhouse gas emissions data, sets clearly defined reduction targets, and uses established tracking frameworks such as Higg or The Change Climate Project. A yellow check mark indicates the brand tracks emissions and outlines reduction goals but provides limited data, lacks science-based verification, or does not clearly report progress. A red X indicates the brand does not appear to track greenhouse gas emissions or provides so little information that its efforts cannot be verified.
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
This helmet is equipped with a MIPS liner to help mitigate rotational forces during impact. That’s standard fare for high-quality helmets these days, and any additional protection you can get in the backcountry is a good idea.
Twiceme NFC Medical ID
With this feature, you can upload personal medical data to the helmet, making it accessible to first responders via smartphone. Whether that’s essential or just a gimmick depends on how you view your risk profile, but for solo or remote skiers, it could provide peace of mind.
Adjustment System
The dial-based adjustment system isn’t Boa branded, but it evenly adjusts the helmet’s fit fully around your entire head. Fine-tuning the Obex BC’s fit is quite easy, and that’s always appreciated.
I wear most helmets in a size medium or medium/large, and I tested the POC Obex BC MIPS in a medium/large size. I found that it fit perfectly right out of the box. Unlike some helmets that feel awkward until adjusted perfectly, this one settled naturally onto my head and never felt too tight or sloppy. When I put the Obex BC on, I open the adjustment dial as wide as it will go and then adjust it down to the size of my head with about five clicks.
Giro Grid Spherical ($270): The Main Rival
The Grid is a direct competitor to the Obex BC, with a similar crossover focus between touring and inbounds use. It’s lighter by several ounces (14.1 oz.), has MIPS Spherical built into the helmet shell, and features a slick magnetic buckle that we wish the Obex had. But the thinner in-mold shell isn’t as confidence-inspiring, and we didn’t find the comfort as impressive—especially with the ear pads removed. The Grid ventilates similarly (16 small adjustable vents), and while it costs $30 less, it also lacks extras like Twiceme or Recco. For most skiers, the Grid is a better value. But if maximum comfort is your top priority, the Obex wins. For more, read our Giro Grid Spherical review.
Smith Summit MIPS ($235): Get in an (Air)Flow State
The Summit is our favorite pure backcountry helmet to date. It weighs just a pound, is triple-certified, and its adjustment system folds flat for efficient packing. It doesn’t include a liner or ear pads, though, and the lack of padding makes it noticeably less comfortable than the Obex BC. Ventilation is better—33 small fixed vents keep air flowing constantly—but the helmet runs colder and is less suited to inbounds days. You don’t get Twiceme or Recco, but the hybrid ABS shell construction and dial fit system are impressive for the price. If you want a Spartan touring lid, the Summit is the better value. If you want comfort and versatility, stick with the Obex BC. For a deeper dive, read our review of the Smith Summit.
“Luxury” and “backcountry” aren’t usually two words that go together, but that’s the Obex BC’s elevator pitch. With a build that leans into comfort, it occupies a unique niche in the market. If only its super-high price wasn’t the product of some features we don’t find to be very helpful.
Comfort
Warmth
Ventilation
Weight & Bulk
Durability
Sustainability
The Grid Spherical is an ultralight yet feature-rich model for backcountry skiers. Unlike some touring-specific helmets, it has a removable liner and ear flaps, a magnetic buckle, and adjustable vents, and features MIPS Spherical. However, we have reservations about the Grid’s comfort.
Comfort
Warmth
Ventilation
Weight & Bulk
Durability
Sustainability
Certified for skiing and mountaineering and with an exceptionally light, packable build, this helmet is a backcountry specialist. It’s our current favorite for big days touring and ski mountaineering, but its minimalist build is out of place at the resort.
Comfort
Warmth
Ventilation
Weight & Bulk
Durability
Sustainability
Is the Obex BC MIPS for You?
If you want a helmet that feels at home both on big tours and around the resort, the POC Obex BC MIPS offers a rare mix of comfort, protection features, and polish. It’s expensive and a little heavier than the most minimalist touring lids, but the quality of the fit and build help justify the cost—especially if you value on-head feel and all-day wearability. The Twiceme and Recco tech won’t be must-haves for everyone, and weight-focused skiers may prefer something more stripped-down like the Smith Summit. But for skiers who want a backcountry-ready ski helmet that doesn’t compromise on comfort or everyday usability, the Obex BC stands out.
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