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Sleek and stylish looks are paired with unparalleled protection in the great all-around trail helmet, the Fox Speedframe Pro. Find out what makes the Speedframe Pro so loved by the many mountain bikers who wear it.
Pros
- Provides excellent protection
- Comfortable
- Well-ventilated
- Lightweight
- Sleek and stylish looks
Cons
- Some may find the visor to be too large
Performance of the Fox Speedframe Pro Helmet
Protection
The most important reason anyone wears a helmet while mountain biking is quite simple – to protect their head (and brain) in case of a crash. The Fox Speedframe Pro, Fox’s flagship trail helmet, is an industry leader when it comes to how well it protects your head.
As a half shell trail helmet, the Speedframe Pro covers the top, sides and back of your head. It uses dual density EPS foam called Varizorb, which provides improved protection by helping to spread impacts across a wider area.
The Speedframe Pro does an excellent job of keeping you safe and protected in case of a crash thanks to the safety features built into it. The helmet’s protection is so effective that it achieved Virginia Tech’s best rating (5 stars) in its Bicycle Helmet Ratings program.
Virginia Tech Rating
According to Virginia Tech, their Bicycle Helmet Ratings program evaluates a helmet’s ability to reduce linear acceleration and rotational velocity of the head resulting from a range of head impacts a mountain biker might experience.
While that all sounds complicated – the bottom line is this: The more stars a helmet has, the more of a reduction in concussion risk that helmet provides compared to a helmet with less stars. The Speedframe Pro’s 5 star rating from Virginia Tech means that it does as good a job of reducing concussion risk as any helmet they evaluate! Reducing the concussion risk as low as possible sounds pretty good to us!
MIPS protection
A major reason for the Speedframe Pro’s superb rating from Virginia Tech is its MIPS (multi-directional impact protection system) which has been proven to reduce rotational motion by absorbing and redirecting forces that would otherwise be transmitted to the brain.
The MIPS on the Fox Speedframe Pro helmet can be seen on the inside of the helmet. There is a plastic liner inside the helmet with yellow MIPS markings on it that is able to move a small amount in every direction. When riding your head is in contact with this liner, and if you were to fall and a head impact resulted, the liner would move some to redirect those damaging rotational forces that can lead to concussions.
Full Head Coverage
On top of its other safety features, the Fox Speedframe Pro helmet does a good job at covering a rider’s entire head. The front part of the helmet covers about halfway down the rider’s forehead, and covers down to the ears on the side. The back of the head is essentially completely covered.
We especially noticed the extra protection around the back of the head compared to other trail helmets we have tried in the past.
Comfort
Comfort is important in any helmet, and the Speedframe Pro has comfort in spades. We break it down by ventilation, fit, weight and other features.
Ventilation
The Speedframe Pro is extremely well ventilated. There are vents in every area of the helmet, including the front, back, and sides, that offer great airflow and do a good job at keeping you cool on those long, hot days on the trails.
In total, we counted 19 vents on the helmet. Compared to other competing trail helmets, we find the Speedframe Pro really lets you feel the wind in your hair.
One thing in particular we noted about the vents were those right above the point on the helmet that covers the rider’s forehead. While vents on top or the side of a helmet are more common to see, vents in the very front of the helmet are rarer to see, but these vents on the Speedframe Pro do have a big impact in terms of keeping your head cool.
Fit and Adjustability
The Fox Speedframe Pro helmet comes in sizes small, medium and large, so no matter what head size you have there is a fit for you. Beyond the size options, the helmet offers great adjustability thanks to its 360-degree fit system. The way this system works is through a dial adjuster on the back of the helmet, which you can tighten or loosen by turning it until you are completely satisfied the helmet is the perfect fit for you.
The helmet also features an adjustable visor that has 3 settings, low, medium and high. It is useful to be able to adjust the visor to the low setting on bright sunny days to keep the sun out of your eyes. You can also put the visor to the high setting which gives you room to lift up your goggles if you wear them. The Speedframe Pro is goggle compatible.
Weight
The Fox Speedframe Pro weighs in at 411 grams (14.5 ounces) in size large. It feels very light on your head, so light that you’d be forgiven if you forgot you even had it on.
It is a comparable weight to competing trail helmets like the Specialized Camber and Smith Convoy, but those don’t necessarily come with the same premium features found on the Speedframe Pro.
Other Features
Fidlock Snap Buckle
The Fox Speedframe Pro fastens with a fidlock snap buckle that is very easy to put on and off, even while wearing gloves. It is a magnetic fidlock buckle that seemingly locks into place automatically when both ends of it get close together.
With how easy it fastens, you may think that it could become unfastened easily and fall off in the case of a head impact, but we tested this and found that once the magnetic fidlock buckle is fastened, it will stay in place unless you intentionally unfasten it with your hands.
Removable, Washable Antimicrobial Liner
The Fox Speedframe Pro features a removable, washable XT2 liner which is antimicrobial. The liner helps to manage odor, wick moisture from your head, and can be removed and machine washed to keep the helmet feeling fresh for the long term.
Looks and style
While the looks and style of a helmet are more subjective than the protection it provides, there is no denying that the Fox Speedframe Pro is a sleek, stylish-looking helmet.
The visor, fit, shape and matte finish all come together to provide a look that screams polished but ready to shred. As the saying goes, if you look good, you feel good, and if you feel good, you wheel good. That couldn’t be truer when it comes to the Fox Speedframe Pro and the added swagger and confidence it provides you as a rider.
Some riders do find the visor a little bit too big for their liking, but we found it to compliment the helmet perfectly.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the Fox Speedframe and Fox Speedframe Pro?
The Speedframe Pro helmet is similar to the Fox Speedframe, but has additional features including a magnetic fidlock snap buckle, antimicrobial liner, matte gloss finish, and Varizorb dual density EPS foam.
Does the Fox Speedframe Pro have MIPS?
Yes the Fox Speedframe Pro features MIPS – which stands for multi-directional impact protection system. The MIPS helps to protect against rotational forces.
What does having MIPS protection help with?
MIPS (multi-directional impact protection system) has been proven to reduce rotational motion from head impacts by absorbing and redirecting forces that would otherwise be transmitted to the brain.
How we review mountain bike helmets
When reviewing mountain bike helmets, we look at the following factors:
- Protection
- Comfort
- Style
For a detailed breakdown of how we assess each of these factors, check out how we review mountain bike helmets here.
Conclusion
Overall, the Speedframe Pro is a great helmet. It’s comfortable and light with good coverage and features that make it suitable for all types of mountain biking. If you’re looking for an all-around trail helmet, the Fox Speedframe Pro should definitely be on your radar.
For more MTB helmets we love, check out Best Mountain Bike Helmets of the Year.