After 5 Years, Fox Racing Updates Favorite MTB Trail Helmet: Speedframe Pro First Look Review

Fox Racing has been a stalwart brand for anything dirt, and its Speedframe helmet seems to be used in every mountain biking area that involves significant drops. If the terrain demands that you carry your bike over some sections on the way up, a Speedframe is likely on a rider coming down. I cannot recall a bike park that I didn’t see it at least once over the last few years.

It has to be a hard call to change something so successful and recognizable. But Fox Racing must have thought it was time and offers the Speedframe in three versions: the Speedframe RS model with Mips Integra Split ($280), the Speedframe Pro with Mips Air Node ($200), and the Speedframe with Mips Evolve Core ($110).

I tested a pre-release Speedframe Pro sample for a few weeks whenever I was on a mountain bike with over 120 mm of travel for this First Look review.

In short: If you like the original Fox Racing Speedframe, you will like the new versions. The updated Speedframe Pro offers excellent safety, ventilation, and fit while still retaining the looks and features that made the original such a hit.

Fox Racing Speedframe Pro Review

The Changes to the Fox Racing Speedframe Franchise

Fox Racing now offers the Speedframe mountain bike helmet in three versions.

Speedframe RS

The Speedframe RS is the new addition to the family, and it utilizes the Mips Integra Split system to mitigate rotational forces. An inner, softer EPS layer is connected to an outer, more dense EPS layer with elastomers. The inner liner is split in half to allow greater freedom of movement and is responsible for lower impact forces. The other layer handles higher impact forces. The two layers can rotate about one another due to the elastomers’ ability to deform.

Due to the extra layers, the Speedframe RS is slightly larger in outer dimensions than the other versions. However, the “ball in socket” design is among the best for lowering rotational forces that transfer to the head. This helped the new Fox Racing Speedframe Pro earn the #1 spot in Virginia Tech’s 2025 Helmet Safety Ratings.

Fox Racing claims a 400±40g weight for a medium. The chin strap has a Fidlock buckle, and a two-way BOA dial adjusts the head cradle. Finally, a removable Ionic+ antimicrobial liner wicks sweat.

Speedframe Pro

The new Fox Racing Speedframe Pro earned the #2 spot in Virginia Tech’s 2025 Helmet Safety Ratings, making the brand a double podium spot winner.

The Speedframe Pro uses a Mips Air Node system to handle rotational forces. This system involves a very thin, low-friction layer laminated to the dual-density EPS foam liner. This minimal system makes the Speedframe Pro the lightest and most ventilated of the bunch.

Fox Racing claims a 350±35g weight for the medium Speedframe Pro. It has the same two-way BOA dial to adjust the cradle fit and the Ionic+ liner of the RS version.

My large sample weighs a verified 394 g. For comparison, another helmet I’ve used for a long time is the POC Tectal Race Spin. It weighs a verified 414 g in a size Large/X-Large.

Fox Racing Speedframe

The Speedframe is substantially less expensive than the other two models but still retains the same look and ventilation ports.

It has an in-mold EPS liner with a Mips Evolve Core system to mitigate rotational forces. It has a standard chin strap buckle and a two-way BOA dial to adjust the head cradle. Fox Racing claims a 410±50 g weight for the Speedframe in medium. All Fox Racing Speedframe helmets have a single-hand adjustable visor and dedicated sunglass ports.

The Speedframe Pro Fit

If the old Speedframe fits, the new one will, too; Fox Racing retained the original head forms. I have an oval-shaped head, and the width of the helmet was just enough. If you have a round or wider head, it would be worth trying it on in a store before purchasing.

I didn’t need much tension on the head cradle to keep the helmet in place while riding tamer cross-country-style trails, as the native fit was almost enough to keep it stable. For rougher downhills with drops, I tightened the head cradle quite a bit to keep the helmet stable. The tension wasn’t uncomfortable, but it was enough that I would loosen it when the terrain became tamer.

The Updated Fox Speedframe Pro on the Trails

The Fox Speedframe helmets have always had a great reputation among my fellow mountain bikers. The updated version upholds that reputation.

The very first thing I noticed was the incredible amount of air striking my forehead and flowing back, even at lower speeds. The area of the helmet under the visor is basically open, with very little structure to impede airflow. It’s the same with the sides, which conceivably sucked the air out once it moved past the forehead.

The forehead and the temple areas are so open that I was concerned that I might impale myself with a cedar branch when it was unavoidable to clip them. But it never happened, as the visor seemed to deflect all incoming branches.

The helmet has very comprehensive coverage down the back. I could feel that, and it was inspiring. Knowing that the back of my head was protected was well worth whatever marginal gain of mass and potential loss of ventilation.

I never noticed the Mips Air Node liner, which I can’t say the same for other Mips systems. Whether it was the fancier Integra Split or a simpler plastic slip liner, I could feel that something was added to the EPS foam. The Air Node was invisible to me.

I also felt that this made the helmet fit better as it sat very close to my head. It didn’t feel elevated away from my head, as can be the case with other rotational energy-dissipating systems.

As I stated above, the head cradle of the Fox Racing Speedframe Pro adjusts easily to fit the requirements of the terrain. When riding smooth sections, I left it loose, which made the helmet less noticeable. When bombing rougher sections, I tightened the BOA dial quite a bit and felt more confident feeling the tension around my head. It wasn’t at all uncomfortable, just reassuringly tight with no hot spots.

Conclusions on the New Fox Racing Speedframe Pro

What’s the saying? What’s old is new again. That’s how I felt about the Fox Racing Speedframe Pro. Yes, it’s a shiny, new model. But it retains the look, general performance, and fit of the original, with added rotational force mitigation options.

The original Speedframe trail helmet became somewhat of a “workhorse” helmet. It wasn’t super-fancy, expensive, or light, but it admirably got the job done for a long time and looked good doing so. I’m happy to report that the new Speedframe Pro delivered the same feeling of robustness that instilled confidence that the helmet would be with me for an extended run.

The #1 and #2 Virginia Tech safety ratings are significant and might be the best features of the Speedframe RS and Speedframe Pro. Regardless of all the other features or aesthetics, if you crash, the helmet’s ability to protect your skull and brain is all that will matter.

If you liked the original Speedframe and are looking for a replacement due to age or accumulated damage, the new Fox Racing Speedframe series is worth a look.