Fox Racing Releases New Dropframe Pro Helmet
PRESS RELEASE: Fox Racing
Fox Racing introduces significant updates to the “first to market” Dropframe Pro. This new iteration features similar upgrades as the Proframe RS with an all-new aesthetic and list of features that further enhance the performance of the classic ¾-shell silhouette.
It’s not just the all-new aesthetic that catches your eye. As the ¾-shell helmet of choice for riders looking to drop in, the Dropframe Pro has taken its feature set to new levels of protection and fit that’ll transform your ride experience. With extended ear coverage, BOA adjustability to dial in your fit with finite accuracy, and built-in Mips technology to protect your brain in the event of a crash, the Dropframe Pro elevates safety to another level, even meeting the NTA-8776 E-Bike helmet certification standard. That’s a little more coverage in a helmet for a whole lot more confidence to express your vision on dirt.
The Dropframe Pro also includes several more details that riders will appreciate, like a new 3-position adjustable visor and Big Bore front vents with an area designed for eyewear storage. The vent profile and decreased surface contact area work together to improve cooling. The helmet also includes an Ionic+ antimicrobial liner and cheek pads to optimize fit, a Fidlock magnetic closure, and a removable under-visor GoPro mount.
The new Dropframe Pro is currently available online and at finer retailers across the globe.
MSRP: $279.95
SIZES: S, M, L
COLORS: Matte Black, Purple, Black/White, Midnight Blue, Black Camouflage, Orange Flame, Olive Green, Oat Brown
For more information, go to www.foxracing.com.
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I’ve opted for a Leatt convertible helmet. Chin bar stashed on my pack when climbing or on normal parts. Mounted for downhill trails.
Yes it is a bit of a schlep to put on or disassemble. No real hindrance to use a Camelbak drink tube.
Face protected when needed.
Drop frame definitely a niche product, but gives extra protection without FF.
Been riding the Dropframe for about 2 years now and I would submit that, unless you are ultra XC oriented, everyone would benefit from wearing at least a 3/4 helmet like this for normal riding.
But currently I mostly ride in FF, just carrying on a hip-pack belt and ditched Switchblade completely. However this approach works only in the long ascent/long descent scenario and does not work on races.
Sometimes you are not comfortable in and FF but want as much protection as you can get and this is what it's for. People need to feel 100% comfortable on a bike to preform well. Simple as that.
You all pay lot's of money to have something 1% lighter, better, so why not pay for something with 1% more protection.
If you are racing XC or that closely matches your riding style then this will not suit your needs, but if you are trail riding and leaning more towards the aggressive end of the spectrum and dont want to wear a fullface I would pick the extra coverage, stability and comfort any day. Even on the hottest days, I was almost always using my Dropframe over my normal half shell cause it is more comfortable and the extra protection is only a net positive. They also work better than a half shell for night riding since the helmet is more stabilized on your head and extra the weight of the light doesn't shake it around nearly as much.
In my mind, these are not a replacement for a fullface (that much should be obvious), they are simply a better half shell.
pedalling with the faceguard, even though there's tonnes of space to breathe, is still not as good as with the guard removed. I love the option for bigger downs to slap on the guard after a long climb. I also feel like you're less likely to fall when over-protected, it's psychological. Most falls for me after the hard stuff when I let my guard down. Full face has your guard up, literally!
Personally, I ride a normal trail helmet. I have been kicking around a full face because I'm getting old and fat but I still like my face. But I'd likely go with a lightweight full face, not a 3/4. Not really my cup of tea. But I can see why they decided to do this.
I'm very curious to see where Fox's helmets in 2026 and beyond go now that they have access to Bell/Giro's test lab in house.
See, it just rolls of the tongue.
My Specialized Tactic half shell is 380grams +
A Specialized Gambit (probably one of the lightest full face helmets) is 680grams.
www.dainese.com/im/en/bike/helmets/linea-01-mips-203869820.html?dwvar_203869820_color=WHITE%2FBLACK
IXS trigger mips is 595g
In half shell setup it is on par with what I would normally run.
But if someone doesn't want to wear a full face (too hot, think theyll look dumb on XC trail, whatever) and would opt for this which does provide more coverage, then it seems they are still better off then going for the half shell.
Well that's something new!!!!!!!!!
(Just joking!)
You’re aware there’s more to protection than your face - right? Hello?
Kind of proving my point about the commenters around here…
Now you’re just trolling me or mentally unstable. Either way, I’m out.
I always get baited into conversations with absolute apes on PB. Wish they’d just ban me again for saying trans in athletics is unfair.
180lbs 6’3 here…I use an E to mix up dh training days.
Plenty of old men and gapers on my local trails who like to smirk at me on an E when I take that bike out.
Doesn’t bother me much as I manual by them and proceed to shit on their strava times.
Anyone still hating on E’s universally is simply bad at riding. I wouldn’t want just an E bike, if I had to only have that I’d just go back to my moto. But as a tool in a quiver they are super fun.
www.helmet.beam.vt.edu/bicycle-helmet-ratings.html
Normal half shells have honestly never made that much sense to me, in that they are really only effective in protecting you if you land on top of your head. Push anywhere around the rim of a half shell and you can get the thing to slip off your head quite a bit unless the chinstrap is absolutely choking the shit out of you.
How many people (kids especially) have you seen in the woods and at the trail head with their half shell sat totally crooked, straps all a mess, tilted back, tilted forward, or just loose AF and hanging half off their heads? You can't really put these on wrong because of how deep your head sits into them and how stable they are, and most importantly your head Stays there.
The difference in comfort between a half shell and a 3/4 shell is a lot smaller than between 3/4 and fullface. So when the question is whether I'm taking my light fullface (eventually bikepark only), the 3/4 (gnarlier pedal-accessed riding and winter) or a half shell (backyard loops and easier rides), mostly it's between the half shell and the 3/4, and the 3/4 mostly wins.
Stop pretending coverage of temples doesn't make a difference - when I fall, I put my hands in front of my face, not my ears.
Give me f*cking break
I'd really like to see a helmet that takes after a football NFL/CFL kickers helmet where there is a chinbar that stops large objects (like a tree) from smashing my jaw, but does not obstruct vision.
I'm thinking something like a 10mm dia. removable chin bar made from aluminum
Same goes for dirt bike helmets.
Trying to think of some drawbacks to this, but can't. Am I missing something?
www.pinkbike.com/photo/26009630
Well, I’m sold.