Reviewing The Popular Fox Mountain Bike Helmets – Aussie Riders
Finding a reliable mountain bike helmet can be a challenge because of the number of options available. With so many choices that are each promising the best quality with the latest features, its no wonder that bike riders are unsure of where to turn. If you're finding yourself in a similar situation, we're here to help.
In this article, we're going to highlight mountain bike helmet products developed by Fox. This post should help you decide if Fox creates a bike helmet for your needs, or if you should consider a different company to see what they offer.
Of course, when it comes to buying protective gear you need to do your research, which is why we're glad you're taking the time to read this article. A helmet is the most important pieces of equipment you can buy before you start riding and you need to know as much as you can about them before deciding on the product for you. You should never go simply by what's the most affordable but instead look at the safety features it includes and what other riders are saying. Also see our review of the POC Octal MIPs helmet.
What is Fox Racing?
Fox Racing is an international company that's best known for it's motocross apparel products including race outfits, protective gear, and casual wear. The company built its business by creating products that provided riders with reliable protection and performance, while also giving them the freedom of movement they needed.
Today, Fox is an international leader in lifestyle clothing for the youth market. This expansion into lifestyle clothing hasn't taken away from their other products such as protective gear for men, women and children. Some of their most popular products include helmets, gloves, goggles, outerwear, and guards. The company's products are sold worldwide in over 50 countries.
Are Fox Helmets Good?
Fox helmets are a great choice for you if you're looking for a reliable mountain bike helmet that will last. Each of the products is manufactured to provide the maximum support and comfort while mountain trail riding. While the products carry the usual one-year warranty, most riders who use them find that they last for much longer.
Some of the features you can find in most Fox mountain helmets include EPS foam, an adjustable visor, and a reliable retention system that keeps your helmet in place while you ride. They also come with an X-Static liner to help inhibit the growth of bacteria on the fabric and reduce ordor. One thing you should keep in mind is that they tend to fit a little small, which means you should look into getting a size larger than you think you'll need when buying helmets from this manufacturer.
What are the Different Types of Fox Bike Helmets?
When it comes to Fox helmets, there are four main categories they fall into. These include the Fox Rampage, the Fox Proframe, the Fox Speedframe, and the Fox Dropframe. In this Fox helmet review, we're going to break down each of these four groups so you can have a better idea of what each category includes before you invest in a new helmet. Some of the primary differences between these helmets include full-face versus open-face designs (Fox Proframe has a full-face design), as well as features focusing on performance and protection.
Fox Rampage
The Rampage style includes three different models: the RPC, the Rampage Comp, and Rampage. This style of helmet has features that focus on your performance while you ride, giving you one of the best choices for mountain bike riding protection while also providing you with a variety of styles of choose from based on your preferences.
Fox Proframe
The Fox Proframe is a lightweight, full-face covered helmet that combines the breath-ability of an open-face design with the protection of full-face coverage. You can wear the Fox Proframe both up and down the mountain without having to worry about whether the bike helmet will protect you.
Fox Speedframe
The Speedframe has features designed with competitive riders in mind due to its dynamic shape and advanced retention system. The Speedframe is a good choice for anyone looking to use their helmet in a competitive environment or for anyone interested in training for competitive riding.
Fox Dropframe
Unlike the full-face design of the Proframe, the Dropframe is an open-face design that provides as much visibility as possible. This design has extended coverage on both sides, as well as at the back of your head. When combined with good breath-ability, this is one of the most versatile options you can buy.
What is the Fox Flux Helmet?
In 2006, the Fox Flux was a standard-setting helmet that moved away from the idea of slightly tweaking a traditional helmet for mountain bike riders and instead embraced larger changes to the design and features so that consumers could get more from their helmets. While you may have had a harder time reading a helmet review in 2006, you can be sure that many mountain bike riders and cross country enthusiasts were overjoyed to see a product designed with them in mind.
The Fox Flux was redesigned in 2018. With this redesign came two new models for you to choose between. This included the higher spec model with MIPS protection features and the standard model. Some of the features that saw updates in the 2018 version included the construction and protection of the helmet, the ventilation system, the weight, and the peak design.
Common Mountain Bike Helmet Questions
Now that you have a better idea of what to expect from a Fox helmet, let's dive into a few frequently asked questions we run into when it comes to mountain helmets.
What is the best helmet for mountain biking?
As with most safety equipment, the best helmet for one person may not be the best one for you. If you don't need the advanced features a helmet provides or don't like a specific design, then the helmet with the best review may be a bad fit for your needs.
You should instead start with your budget and where you plan on riding. Once you have these details in place you'll be in a much better position to start looking into different helmets to find the one for one. Some other considerations you should think about includes whether you want a full-face or open-face design, and whether the products you're looking into have an adjustable visor. Breathability and weight are also important considerations you should think about before you make your purchase.
What is the safest mountain bike helmet?
According to Virginia Tech, the safest options available for purchase include the following:
- Bontrager Rally MIPS
- Troy Lee Designs A2 MIPS Decoy
- Lazer Cyclone MIPS
- Giro Tyrant MIPS SP
- Troy Lee Designs A1 Classic MIPS
- POC Tectal Race SPIN
- Louis Garneau Raid MIPS
- Bontrager Blaze WaveCel
- Giro Chronicle MIPS
- Lazer Impala MIPS
These findings are a result of a safety assessment of 86 products in 2019 and include oblique impacts and points of impacts of the side of the helmet. The top-rated helmets all include a Multi-directional Impact Protection System (MIPS). The MIPS is found inside your helmet between the padding and the EPS and helps to protect you from concussions and brain damage. Fox helmets that have the MIPS safety feature typically include that in the description or name of the product.
Can I use a road helmet for mountain biking?
While a mountain bike helmet is less aerodynamic than a road helmet, it does provide more protection while you ride. This added protection may be worth it if you're riding casually with friends or family but could be a hindrance if your entering a road race or are riding for exercise. There are also some helmets that just don't work well as a road helmet because of their design, We're thinking of the Fox Proframe specifically due to its full-face coverage.
Conclusion
Picking the right safety gear is important when it comes to taking part in physical activities like bike riding. This is especially true when you take your bike off the road and head into rougher paths. Deciding on the right helmet for your needs starts with some research into the brands and products available, which is why you should take your time when it comes to finding the protective equipment that will keep you safe.
Fox is a great choice if you're looking for a manufacturer that produces a range of products with features created for a multitude of different riders. They carry a large selection of products that are still used by professional riders around the world. Available in over 50 countries, their products are also easy to find no matter where you live.
We think you can't go wrong when it comes to Fox helmets and protect gear. Just make sure you check out their helmet buying guide to find the best one for you.
