POC, Sweet Protection, or Shred: Compatibility Guide

• Posted on 3 November 2026
• 0

Which chin guard fits your racer's helmet? See how POC, Sweet Protection, and Shred guards match up, plus tips to avoid a bad fit. Killington's race shop.

Quick Answer: Chin guards are made for specific helmets. POC guards fit select POC race helmets, Sweet Protection Volata guards fit Volata helmets, and Shred guards come in soft-ear and hard-ear versions. Always match brand, model, and year.

Chin guard compatibility is the first thing to check before you buy. A guard that fits one helmet will not always fit another, even within the same brand. This guide shows how POC, Sweet Protection, and Shred guards match their helmets, so your slalom racer gets the right one the first time. New to chin guards? Start with our post on whether you need a chin guard for ski racing.

Why Chin Guards Are Brand-Specific

A chin guard bolts or clips onto mounting points built into the helmet. Every brand places those points differently. Even one brand can change them from one model or year to the next.

That is why we start with the helmet, not the guard. Find your racer's helmet brand and model first. Then pick the guard made for it.

POC Chin Guards

POC makes the Maxilla Breakaway chin guard for its slalom-ready race helmets. It is removable and adjustable. Racers can lock it in place or set it to release at different impact levels.

It fits select POC race helmets, such as Artic SL and Skull Dura GS helmets. Fit depends on the model year, and older helmets may not take the newer guard. If your racer wears a POC helmet, check the exact model and year before you order.

Adjustable release for select POC race helmets: POC Maxilla Breakaway Chinguard

Sweet Protection Chin Guards

Sweet Protection builds its guards for its own helmet lines. The Volata chin guard is made from aluminum and mounts without tools in seconds. Sweet Protection lists it for the Volata, Volata Mips, and Volata Mips TE helmets.

The Trooper slalom helmet has its own matching guard. Do not swap guards between the Volata and the Trooper. Each one is made for its own helmet.

Tool-free aluminum guard for Volata helmets: Sweet Protection Volata Chin Guard

Shred Chin Guards

Shred sells two guards, and the helmet style decides which one you need. According to Shred's compatibility guide, the Soft-Ear guard fits the Totality and Totality NoShock helmets. The Hard-Ear guard fits the Basher and Basher Ultimate helmets.

The two guards do not trade places. A soft-ear guard will not fit a hard-ear helmet, and the reverse is also true.

For soft-ear helmets only: Shred Soft-Ear Chin Guard

For hard-ear helmets only: Shred Hard-Ear Chin Guard

Compatibility at a Glance

Using another brand? We also carry guards for Smith, Atomic, and Oakley helmets. Browse our full selection of race helmet chin guards.

How to Check the Fit Before You Buy

Follow these three checks:

• Find the brand and model name on your racer's helmet
• Note the model year, often printed on the label inside the helmet
• Match both to the guard, or bring the helmet to us and we will check it with you

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Buying by brand alone, without checking the model
• Reusing an older guard on a new helmet
• Mixing soft-ear and hard-ear parts
• Forcing a guard onto a helmet it was not made for
• Waiting until race day to test the fit

Fit matters for a reason. A guard that does not sit right can mount poorly or leave gaps. Test it in training, not at the start gate.

Need a New Helmet First?

Sometimes the best move is a new helmet with a guard built for it. Our slalom helmets are a good place to start. Also check the rules for your racer's age group before you buy. Our guide on whether you need a chin guard for ski racing explains what the rules say by age and event.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a POC chin guard fit a Sweet Protection helmet?

No. Chin guards are made for their own brand's helmets. Use the guard that matches your helmet's brand and model.

Can any Shred chin guard go on any Shred helmet?

No. Shred makes a Soft-Ear guard and a Hard-Ear guard. Each fits its own helmet style, so check which one your racer has.

Will a chin guard from last season fit this season's helmet?

Not always. Brands can change mounting points between model years. Check the model and year before you reuse a guard.

Can you help me confirm the right guard?

Yes. Bring your racer's helmet to our shop in Killington, or call us with the brand and model.

Match the guard to the helmet, and you avoid returns and training delays. Browse our chin guard collection, call us at 802-422-9447, or stop in at 2808 Killington Road in Killington, VT. We are your partner in getting your racer race-ready, and we check the fit on suits, helmets, ski sizing, and more. We will help you get it right before the first slalom day.