Fox’s open-face helmet has reached the coveted heights of fashion fame. After a few years of success, the brand has brought a long-awaited and well-deserved update to the Speedframe. Those updates have culminated in improved airflow, lower weight, and superb comfort, helping it score second in Virginia Tech’s safety rankings. Niggles are few, but its visor isn’t as easy to use as expected and its fit may need some considered adjustment for rounder heads.
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Fox Speedframe Pro helmet - Technical details
Bringing an all-new shell and construction to the fray, the Speedframe now comes in three models – pictured here is the middle-of-the-range Pro build. This one benefits from Mips Air Node, a seamless version of the rotational impact reduction system that sits within the comfort padding.
At the rear, there’s a Boa fit system for micro adjustment, and the cradle is height adjustable in four positions. The visor can be adjusted into three positions via one hand. Along with a Fidlock buckle, a purpose-built and rubberised glasses dock under the visor hauls the Speedframe Pro into modern times, and, of course, its liner is removable for easy washing.
As before, the Speedframe Pro boasts 17 vents, but this time around, they’re larger and better placed. There’s internal channelling cut into the helmet’s interior, too, to guide cool air over the head and out the back.
Impressively, the Speedframe Pro has ranked second in Virginia Tech’s safety ranking, losing the top spot only to the pricier Mips Integra Split equipped Fox Speedframe RS.
As for weight, Fox claims that this medium-sized helmet tips the scale at 350g – we weighed it at 356. Regardless, it’s an impressive weight for a helmet in this category.
Fox Speedframe Pro - Performance
The previous iteration of the Speedframe is one that I enjoyed thoroughly, becoming a backup for my beloved Troy Lee Designs A3. Since receiving a pre-launch sample in November 2024, the latest Speedframe Pro has become my new go-to lid, being the first pick for nearly all kinds of riding I do, apart from gnarlier bike park jaunts.
Despite donning a new shell and fresh aesthetic - a look I like, might I add - Fox hasn’t binned all of its learnings from the previous lid. Rather, the brand has built the Speedframe Pro with the same head form as before. That said, the move towards a Boa fit system and Mips Air Node makes it a noticeably roomier helmet that better accommodates rounder heads like mine. I found I had to spend a little more time than usual adjusting the fit for my head shape. Initially, there was some space between the brow of the helmet and my forehead, but I’ve managed to tune that space out.
With the fit dialled in, comfort is excellent. The new Speedframe Pro is a deeper helmet that sits lower on the head, so there’s a little more coverage on offer. Its snug fit results in very real security, too, but without producing any hot spots or areas of uneven or increased pressure. It’s seriously comfy, and Fox has done a great job here.
Along with the snug fit, the helmet's meagre weight boosts comfort further compared to a range of helmets in this category. Granted, the weight isn’t market-leading, but it’s light enough to be easily forgotten when riding, and the best products are those that you can ride in and successfully ignore throughout the ride.
Although the new helmet has just as many vents as the old one, airflow has been improved, not that it was bad to start with. The Speedframe Pro is a proper breezy lid that does a great job of exhausting warm air during slow speed efforts while welcoming cool air when the speeds pick up. This is thanks to the larger and better located vents around the helmet. Additionally, Fox’s move to Mips Air Node keeps all those vents clear of any overlapping cradle.
It’s always great to see a Fidlock buckle present, but a serious improvement to ease of life with the Speedframe Pro is the addition of a sunglasses dock. Admittedly, it did take a little bit of practice to find where the arms of my glasses go, but once nailed, it’s a secure place to hold eyewear. I’ve even hit descents having forgotten to put my glasses on, only to find them exactly where I’ve left them - under the visor. I’ve run this helmet with Sweet Protection’s Memento RIG Reflect sunglasses and a pair of Smith Optics Shift XL MAG with great success.
If I were to look for fault in the Speedframe Pro, I would argue that its ‘one-hand’ adjustable visor isn’t as simple as it seems. It can be done with one hand, but you’ll need to unwind the retention screw then give it an almighty shove to push it into your desired position. It’s quite stiff, and you’ll need one hand to adjust and another to keep the helmet stable. However, with the visor in its middle position, I’ve never felt the need to fiddle with it, but I appreciate that adjustments can be made on the fly. But to throw a positive in the mix, there's plenty of space under the visor to fit a pair of goggles.
Fox Speedframe Pro helmet - Verdict
Priced at £165, and coming equipped with Mips Air Node, a Fidlock buckle and a Boa fit system, the Speedframe Pro’s value is certainly competitive as it brings the heat to pricier options while donning features that place it above cheaper lids.
It’s essentially replaced my £200 Troy Lee Designs A3 as it’s equally comfortable but lighter and breezier. The fact that the Speedframe Pro has torn me from my A3 shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Troy Lee’s Flowline SE is better competition at £140. Again, it’s a weightier lid and not quite as breathable. While this is still a great helmet, there’s no sunglasses dock or Boa fit system.
It trumps the Smith Optics Payroll, too. Although the Speedframe Pro isn’t e-mountain bike certified, it breathes better, is lighter, and gets that Fidlock buckle, which the Payroll doesn’t. The Payroll does get Mips and Koroyd, and its e-bike rating will appeal to many.
With the Speedframe Pro, Fox has created a helmet that ticks all the boxes. Not only has it been proven to be very safe by the folk at Virginia Tech, but it’s also a protective helmet that I want to wear. It’s mega stylish, comfortable, light and breathable. While niggles are very few, the visor isn’t as easy as Fox says, and those with rounder heads will need to spend a bit more time when adjusting the fit – that said, if you can work with these downsides, the Fox Speedframe Pro is excellent.