A few weeks ago the team at Wide Open Distributors in Rotorua invited a bunch of dealers from around the country to spend a couple of days checking out the new range of gear from POC, catching up over a few beers and riding the feast of amazing trails.
It’s a great way to showcase product and an even better excuse for dealers to take a few days away from the coalface and feast on the fruits of the forest. The launch was held at the RotoVegas Hotel, but we ducked into the salubrious surroundings of the Wide Open HQ for a closer look at the new gear.
Resistance is a line of MTB apparel that brings the idea of using garments as an additional layer in order to increase the level of protection against impacts, penetration, friction, UV and abrasion. The Resistance collection has been developed together with some of the world’s foremost textile engineers and by using the most progressive and innovative fabrics and materials.
Designed for all-day riding, the Resistance Mid Shorts are constructed from durable, lightweight and comfortable stretch nylon fabrics with a quick-drying front and a water repellent back. The Resistance Mid Shorts are ergonomically designed and the articulated fit allows for full flexibility.
The shorts have added length to cover the top of your knee pad even when pedaling and is also featuring strategically placed inseams to reduce chafing and discomfort while riding, Velcro waist adjustment for a secure fit and a waistband with a soft brushed inside for comfort and moisture management.
Resistance Strong Pants incorporate VPD System and have impact-absorbing pads on the hips and are ergonomically designed and have an articulated fit, which allows for full freedom of movement and flexibility.
The side and knee panels are made from durable and low friction ceramic-coated SuperFabric® with abrasion resistant properties.
VPD System consists of an impact absorbing foam that has been paired with an outer skin to provide optimized protection against impacts and friction. The foam and skin are carefully put together depending on placement on the body and to serve a specific need.
The Resistance Strong Jersey offers comfort, protection and performance and is constructed from lightweight and moisture wicking nylon fabric. The shoulders and outer arms are made from durable polyester jacquard knitted fabric and the strategic combination of fabrics allow for a breathable and technical MTB jersey. The Resistance Strong Jersey comes in a relaxed fit to accommodate elbow pads as well as a back protector.Resistance Mid 3-Qtr Jersey, women’s version.
Made from a DWR treated ripstop nylon fabric, the Resistance Mid Jacket is a lightweight MTB jacket developed for use in changing conditions. The jacket is wind-resistant yet breathable and has abrasion resistant aramid reinforced Cordura fabric at the elbows for durability and protection.
The Resistance Mid Jacket has articulated sleeves, mesh inserts under the arms for ventilation and a helmet-compatible hood with adjustment that provides a close fit. Also featuring a single hand adjustment at bottom hem and stretch fabric at sleeve endings for a close and comfortable fit.
Recco’s two-part technology can search year-round for people equipped with Recco reflectors. The new Recco SAR 1 technology is based on Recco’s renowned rescue system for people involved in avalanches. The system enables fast directional pinpointing of a person’s precise location. Recco detectors send and receive a directional radar signal to locate a person wearing a Recco reflector.
The new Recco Helicopter Search and Rescue detector, SAR 1, has a substantially larger search area. The SAR 1 is flying at a speed of 130 km/h and can search approximately 200 meters wide search strips. Considerable areas of forests, mountain terrain, rivers and shores can therefore be searched in a very short time – 1 square kilometer in approximately 3-4 minutes.
Made from breathable and durable nylon fabric, the Resistance Strong Glove incorporates VPD System and has impact-absorbing and flexible pads at the knuckles. The knuckles and outer fingers are made from durable and low friction ceramic-coated SuperFabric® with abrasion resistant properties. The ventilated palm is reinforced with silicone pads for a more pleasurable ride and the glove has silicone print for excellent grip, Velcro closure at wrist and is touch screen compatible.
The Index Air Adjustable glove (Martin Söderström Edition shown) is for trail and dirt riders who want maximum control. The thin glove allows for the closest possible contact with the bike thanks to the slim fit and durable ventilated palm fabric. Velcro adjustment at cuff for a personal fit.
Some new colours for the Flow jersey…
And the Trail Tee…
And the WO Trail Tee for the ladies (also comes in Navy for non-stereotyping).
The Chamois Underwear has a quality looking pad and is reportedly the best thing you can put under your shorts for all day comfort…
The Flow Short is fully lined with a combination of mesh and Velcro resistant polyester, has two front pockets, a zip pocket on left leg and Velcro waist adjustment.
The Flow’s are fully lined with a combination of mesh and Velcro resistant polyester.
Shorter legged version for women.
The Trail Lite shorts use a two-way-stretch fabric.
Crave features a lightweight, flexible and durable grilamid frame, which makes it perfect for almost any athletic endeavor. The hydrophilic rubber stays grippy even when wet so the glasses will stick to your nose when you move, regardless of rain or transpiration.The durable PC lens from Carl Zeiss Vision offers outstanding optical performance and the open frame construction provides ventilation that helps to evacuate steam.
The lens is ripel treated to help keeping fog, dirt and grime off your lenses and to makes water pearl off.
The Crave has been designed to match seamlessly with the Tectal and Tectal Race helmets and is also featuring a snap in hinge construction for improved durability and to avoid breaking the frame when taking a hit. Available with several activity specific tints.
Do Flow is a dedicated sports frame, injected in grilamid for low weight and durability. The rubber inserts and the adjustable nose piece made with hydrophilic rubber keeps the frame firmly in place with every movement.
The lens tints are developed for maximum contrast on trails, allowing better definition to spot obstacles on the ground. The anti-fog and Ripel treatments help keeping fog, dirt and grime off your lenses and makes water pearl off.
Rubber inserts in the arms for a safe and comfortable fit.
Ventilation slots to prevent fogging.
The Do Half Blade has been developed for road cycling and is injected in grilamid for low weight and durability. It allows for great flexibility with the option to change your lens according to the conditions. The rubber inserts and the adjustable nose piece in hydrophilic rubber keeps the frame firmly in place.
Cornea Flow offers a huge field of view and the soft PU frame with goggle strap outriggers and triple-layer foam fits comfortably on any face. Placing the lens on the outside of the wide frame provides the field of view needed to improve reaction times. The lens has been injected to a cylindrical shape for superb optical qualities and minimal distortion. To avoid steaming the inner lens is made of anti-fog treated CP.
Soft-coated and flexible polyurethane frame for a comfortable fit and to spread the energy in case of an impact.
Coolmax facefoam cover for excellent moisture control.
Outriggers for optimal helmet compatibility and a comfortable fit.
The Retina Big Flow has a huge field of view to increase reaction speeds. The double lens is made of optical grade PC/CP and is anti-fog and anti-scratch treated to promote vision and resistance.
The flexible PU frame conforms to different face shapes and the triple-layer face foam ensures a comfortable fit. The face foam is laminated with Coolmax fabric to minimize perspiration and for excellent moisture control. Silicone grip on the inside of the strap to keep goggles in place.
The Coron is a brand new full-face, with breakaway visor mounts, a new shell material and new liner.
Developed in collaboration with POC team athlete Martin Söderström, the Coron helmet offers a high level of protection, ventilation and comfort. Coron incorporates a new type of shell material, M-FORGE®, which is an advanced fiber material that outperforms previously known shell materials with added benefits in terms of multi-impact performance, durability and low weight.
The M Forge shell is paired with a multi-impact EPP liner for performance over time and in rough use. The Coron has been constructed with an advanced ventilation system with internal channels that ensures effective ventilation throughout the entire helmet.
POC’s Break Away System allows the visor to pop off during an impact, preventing awkward twisting of the head and saving you from buying a replacement visor.
A whole new trail helmet called the Tectal, it doesn’t replace the venerable Trabec but takes the best features from that helmet and wrap them in a lighter, better-ventilated package.
The Tectal Race is a well-ventilated helmet that has been specifically developed for aggressive trail riding and enduro racing. It incorporates the aramid bridges system from POC’s proven and award-winning Trabec helmet. The reinforced EPS liner provides a high level of protection and the unibody shell construction, introduced in POC’s ground breaking Octal road cycling helmet, further enhances the safety properties and construction integrity of the helmet while maintaining a low weight.
Tectal Race offers more coverage than conventional mountain bike helmets and has a highly efficient ventilation design, optimized and evaluated through wind tunnel testing. Also featuring a goggle clip and a lightweight size adjustment system that ensures a comfortable and secure fit.
A couple of new colours for the Crane street/dirt lid too.
The first rule of POC launch is you don’t talk about POC launch.
After the official business was over, there was only one thing left to do and that’s hit the trails up at Skyline. Jamming in as many runs as we could before lunch, everyone left for their various locales or headed back to the forest for the weekend, a failsafe plan to top off a great couple of days.
Thanks to Matt and the crew at Wide Open for their hospitality.
