POC Cytal Lite: it's good looking and lightweight but do we want to trade out safety?

I've noticed two things when it comes to the cycling industry. Top of every brand's bike design tick list sits aero, but when it comes to apparel, weight inevitably takes the number one spot.

But should low mass trump safety when it comes to the best road bike helmets?

It's a decision that POC has decided is best left to the cyclist by producing three versions of the same helmet. The POC Cytal, Cytal Carbon and POC Cytal Light.

Construction

Taking its inspiration from the POC Cytal and Cytal Carbon, the Lite version used a low-density EPS (expanded polystyrene) liner, with a scaled-back shell to assist with mass reduction.

Comparing it side by side with the standard Cytal and you can see that there are not only more air vents, but that they have also been redesigned to filter the air flow over the top of the rider's head.

This is teamed with the same 'integrated wing' that the other Cytal versions have, helping to direct airflow through and around the lid, adding to the overall ventilation. Still, this time it loses any hard shell protection on the rear sides and back.

There's a noticeable additional row of air entry ports when compared to the other two Cytals, with the 23 vents (17 entry and six exit) creating a pie-lattice-like look to the design.

It's not just the shell and ventilation posts that differ across Cytal helmets. The strap and adjusters on the Lite have been slimmed down, so while there's still the rear dial retention system and under-chin clip, although this time the straps come to a V shape under the ear, as opposed to the U-shaped strap dividers that the others in the range use.

But the most striking difference in the range by far is the loss of protection. The Lite version only gets a single-density EPS, compared to dual density and loses the MIPs Air Node feature which the other two Cytals have.

All of these features (or lack of) shifts a lot of mass, with a medium weighing a claimed 195g compared to 270g of the regular Cytal ersion.

POC assures me that the helmet still meets rigorous safety testing, specifically meeting EN and US CPSC standards, but will the ride and loss of safety features be worth the 75g saving?

The Ride

There is no denying that the POC Cytal Lite is lightweight. The Smith Optics Trace MIPS has become my go-to helmet for the past couple of years, mostly due to its enhanced safety features. At 294g for a size small, compared to 182g for a size small Cytal Lite, the difference is evident in hand and on head.

The other noticeable thing when wearing the Cytal is the fit—it is very, very small. Sized for heads 50-56cm on paper, I only just managed to get it to fit. I even remeasured the circumference of my head, thinking it might have grown with age, but it remains 55cm.

Besides, the Smith one fits like a treat, and it's roughly the same size label. There’s no way I'll be able to add a skull hat or headband when the temperatures cool. This is where vanity over true comfort kicks in. What I do really like is how the Cytal Lite looks.

As someone with a small head, I'm often 'overhelmeted,' but the low profile of the POC was a pleasant alternative to every other lid I tested over the years (notably the Smith and a Rudy Project Rebel). Fit aside, when on, the helmet delivers in terms of ventilation and breathability. As I've mentioned in previous reviews, until we have a purpose-built lab to verify performance claims, we'll have to rely on the brand's word.

Value and conclusion

The POC Cytal Lite is probably one of the best-looking helmets I've seen in a long time. The problem is that it might not stay looking good for long. The lack of a hard shell over the rear third of the helmet leaves it vulnerable to dents and dings in the EPS, which will age it prematurely.

The lightness and low-profile design are very appealing, but a combination of an extremely tight fit, lack of safety features, and a price tag of £320/$400 makes it a no-go for me, especially considering that I could get a regular Cytal with MIPS and other safety features for £30/$50 less.

Specifications

• Construction: EPS foam, CE EN 1078 certification
• Sizes:  S (50/56cm), M (54/59cm), L (56/61cm)
• Colours: White, Black