Fox Racing’s Speedframe trail helmet was originally launched back in 2020 and quickly gained an army of fans, with its quality construction impressive ventilation and great looks. I’ve long been one of those fans and the original model set a benchmark for what I look for in a top-end mountain bike helmet. Part of its allure was the amount of colors and designs available, then there was that killer outline – all backed up by top-tier performance and comfort.
Fast forward four years and it’s a case of ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ – which is fine with me, with new colorways and a real-world price increase the only changes on the Pro Kilf model.
The 2024 Speedframe Pro Klif model comes Mips equipped for added crash protection, with a 5-star rating from Virgina Tech. The 3-position visor is designed to accommodate goggles, and it features its 360-degree fit system and a Fidlock magnetic buckle to ensure a safe and secure fit. 19 vents are designed with maximum airflow in mind and the XT2 padding features an antimicrobial treatment which should come in handy if you rarely wash your helmet lining – shame on you!
At $189.95 / £164.99 / €179.99 for the Pro Kilf, it sits competitively amongst the big hitters from Troy Lee Designs, Smith, Poc and Bell to name a few – all great helmets, so how does the Fox Speedframe Pro measure up against the best mountain bike trail helmets out there right now?
Design and specifications
There’s been a ton on input from Fox's pro athletes to hone the design of this helmet and it shows with its shape unchanged since its release in 2020.
The inner shell is made from dual-density EPS foam called Varizorb which is designed to disperse impact forces in a crash over a larger area. Add to this Mips protection (Multi-directional Impact Protection) which helps to reduce rotational forces to your brain in a crash and you’re well protected.
The Pro model gets a 5-star rating from Virginia Tech’s Bicycle Helmet Ratings program – an independent rating system that identifies which helmets best reduce concussion risks. It’s well worth a Google for info on literally every helmet you can think off. Admittedly they all get five stars, but helmets are ranked in order (233 have been tested) and the Speedframe drops in at number 44 – no mean feat.
The aggressive outline of the Speedframe shouts its intent, and that’s for getting rowdy on the trails. It mates well with goggles with a subtle shallow channel at the sides that helps hold their strap in place. You can also easily stash your goggles below the peak when off the bike or when climbing. There are 19 vents for optimal airflow, three of which sit at the forehead and the visor also has two large vents.
It’s always great to see a magnetic Fidlock buckle for easy entry and exit and Fox use its 360 Fit System for fine tuning fit. The XT2 padding is removable, washable and gets an antimicrobial treatment to help neutralize nasty niffs.
Performance
The Speedframe Pro does three things really well for its price point. It looks awesome, vents amazingly and is uber comfortable. I would add a fourth point for protection, but having never had a bad crash in this helmet I will have to just take the Mips and Varizorb tech at their word. But, what else do you need?
Everyone wants a cool looking helmet, and the Speedframe Pro nails it. The Fox design department has never been shy about going for it and it offers a load of options. I went for the Klif model which sports block coloring in white red and black – and it looks rad. In a sea of single-color helmet designs the Speedframe certainly stands out.
Of course, those looks need to be backed up by performance and comfort to score well and it didn’t disappoint. Slipping it on the padding felt proper plush, the deep back section of the helmet houses the retention dial which cradled the back of my head almost like it had been ergonomically designed especially for me. A few turns of the dial ensured a snug fit without having to over tighten and the Fidlock magnetic buckle is super quick to use. It’s also easy to adjust when wearing gloves, which some other buckles suffer from.
I have found that almost all of my riding glasses fit well with the Speedframe and going a bit ‘enduro’ on the trail bike, goggles also fit really well. I love the slight channel that keeps my google strap in place and even when climbing with the goggles pushed up below my peak they still stayed firmly in place.
My second favorite feature of this helmet (the first being the design) is the ventilation system. It’s truly brilliant. The well-placed forehead vents and large vents at the side, top and back allow for tons of airflow. It’s so good in hot weather and helps reduce moisture build up in the padding on long hard climbs or descents. I have a lot of helmets from a lot of brands, but the Speedframe is always my go-to for performance, fit and looks. It’s hard to beat. It’s a great price but you can save a bit on price if you go for the standard in-molded EPS version which still gets Mips protection.
Verdict
Duking it out with the other big hitters on the market the Speedframe Pro Klif is an absolute knockout for price, performance, fit and design. I've worn it through every season, in all weathers and it still remains my favorite lid. Airflow is absolutely brilliant – especially in hot weather and comfort levels are hard to beat. And of course, it looks oh so cool.
Tech specs: Fox Speedframe Pro Kilf Helmet
- Price: $189.95 / £164.99 / €179.99
- Sizes: S / M / L
- Protection: Mips equipped
- Materials: Dual-density Varizorb EPS
- Weight: 399g (M tested)
- Rival products: Troy Lee Design A3, Smith Convoy MIPS, POC Kortal Race MIPS
