POC Obex BC MIPS Ski Helmet

The Obex BC MIPS is POC's backcountry-specific adult ski helmet — built for skiers who leave resort boundaries and want a helmet that does more than absorb a single impact. The "BC" designation means a thicker, dual-material outer shell: a PC body with an ABS top section, plus aramid panels that POC says improve structural strength and enhance penetration protection. Inside, MIPS Evolve handles rotational force management. What sets it apart from most backcountry lids is the safety infrastructure baked in: a RECCO avalanche reflector for helicopter and ground-crew detection, and a Twiceme NFC chip that stores your emergency contacts and medical data — co-riders or first responders with a smartphone can pull that up on the spot without you being conscious to provide it.

One thing to be clear about: RECCO and the NFC chip help rescuers find and treat you after the fact. They are not a substitute for carrying a transceiver, shovel, and probe — and knowing how to use them. RECCO only activates for organized professional rescue, which typically arrives long after the roughly 15-minute burial-survival window where companion rescue matters most. Go into the backcountry with the right gear and the training to use it. This helmet doesn't change that.

Day-to-day comfort holds up: adjustable ventilation with goggle chimneys keeps airflow moving and reduces fogging, a 360° dial gives you a dialed fit without swapping pads, and the shell integrates cleanly with POC goggles. Who should skip it: if you ski strictly in-bounds and want the lightest possible helmet, this one's heavier than a pure resort lid — the extra shell material adds meaningful grams. It's also overkill if you never venture into avalanche terrain. But if you're a backcountry or sidecountry skier who wants real rescue-layer redundancy alongside your avy kit, this is a considered choice.