This past weekend, you may have seen Aaron Blunck sporting a new goggle and helmet combination while competing at the 2015 Winter X Games in Aspen, Colorado. The Auric helmet and Fovea goggle are part of Blunck’s new signature collection from POC.
The signature collection was born from a trip Blunck took to POC headquarters in Sweden this past summer. Initially, the Crested Butte, Colorado native expected his new “pro model” collection, to simply be a reworking of colorways on the Receptor Bug and Cornea, his go-to helmet and goggle combo. However, upon arrival in Sweden, Blunck was met with a pleasant surprise.
“When I got there, they were talking about developing an all-new goggle frame and helmet,” explains Blunck. “They presented a goggle that was super cool because it was definitely more ‘freeski’ oriented, a shift from POC’s successful racing background. They’re pushing their own limits by developing a goggle that looks good and that freeskier’s will be stoked to rock.”
Additionally, the development of the new Auric helmet, took cues from retro styling. “POC had this idea that looked like the retro Pro-Tec skate helmets. When I saw the helmet, I was like, ‘that’s something new that I’ve never seen before, I’m way down to try that out.'”
The Auric features a durable ABS shell construction with an integrated EPP foam that is designed to absorb multiple impacts, as opposed to expanded polystyrene foam (EPS) that does not retain its shape after an impact resulting in the need to replace the helmet. POC also implemented thicker EPP foam in the more exposed areas of the helmet, as well. The Auric is also specifically tailored towards skiers who prefer wearing their goggles under the helmet, or enjoy rocking their lids with a beanie. The removable ear pieces allow for goggles and/or a beanie to be worn underneath the helmet comfortably and without losing any style points in the process.
“I always want to rock my goggles under my helmet and I like to wear a hat, which helps my goggles to fit better and it’s a bit more comfortable to me. So, when I saw that [POC] had designed the helmet with open ear flaps, I thought it was really sick,” explains Blunck. “I put the helmet on one of their mannequins and put the goggles over the helmet at first and the goggles really didn’t fit with the helmet. Then, I put them under [the helmet] and was like, ‘that’s the fit, that’s what I want.'”
As for the goggles, the spherical lens helps provide a ton of peripheral vision, while its anti-scratch and anti-fog treatment, coupled with four vents, ensure a lens that is durable and won’t fog up during intense shred sessions. Blunck found the color-design process to be especially rewarding. “Designing the goggle was probably the best part about my trip to Sweden. When picking out the colorways, I knew I wanted something that was unisex. The blue was definitely a color that could appeal to both guys and girls, and then the white frame was a perfect fit with the blue.”
The third item rounding out Blunck’s signature collection are the Will sunglasses. The shades are built with a nod to Aviator-style fashion and are a great addition to the overall line. “Those [frames] just seemed to fit perfectly; they have awesome style but at the same time are pretty sporty,” says Blunck.
Follow Blunck along the competition scene this season and be on the lookout for the new signature line from POC, set to hit retailers in late 2015.
Related: Aaron Blunck checks in from Aspen with X Games predictions, Super Bowl picks and more
