The Fox Dropframe Pro builds on the success of the original Dropframe by adding a raft of new features. As well as extended coverage and a fresh look, the Dropframe Pro introduces impressive airflow and beefed-up protection in a lightweight, stylish and comfortable package. Although it represents a step up from its predecessor, there’s still a bit of room for improvement.
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Fox Dropframe Pro helmet - Technical details
The original Fox Dropframe featured extended protection without the bulk, potential claustrophobia and weight of a full-face lid for day-long riding – it was a great concept and has become very popular among riders.
After the Dropframe established itself on the market, several brands followed and released their own three-quarter shell helmets, such as the Alpina Rootage Evo and Leatt MTB Enduro 3.0. To keep things fresh, Fox went on to improve on its already solid design and released the Dropframe Pro.
With clear inspiration from Fox’s well-reviewed Proframe RS, the Dropframe Pro gets a new shell that extends its coverage down to the cheeks with complete ear coverage. Inside, the lid uses a dual-density Varizorb EPS foam combined with Mips Evolve Core, which differs from other versions of the slip plane liner as it can be customised for this particular helmet. The benefit is that the cradle successfully avoids interfering with the 19 vents, two of which include recesses for eyewear storage.
This lid boosts ventilation by minimising the surface contact area between the head and its foam. This is done by a similar way of cutting channels into the EPS but, here, the channels aren’t deep.
Other features include a Fidlock magnetic buckle and a Boa fit system that allows for fine adjustment of fit. There’s a three-position adjustable visor that can offer space for goggle storage and a there’s removable under-visor GoPro mount.
Included in the box are two sets of cheek and headliners that are thin (15mm) and thick (25mm) in profile. So complete with the medium thickness (20mm) liner pre-installed in the helmet there’s a full set to choose from which improves fit and adjustment for most head shapes. Considering the rather high asking price, this is a very nice touch.
As for certifications, the Dropframe Pro meets NTA-8776 e-bike helmet standards. Fox claims that the helmet weighs 630g in the size medium tested; it weighed 644g on our scale. That said, I did play around with the padding thickness, so this has likely affected the overall weight. Dropping the chin bar of the Proframe RS saves 204g.
Fox Dropframe Pro helmet - Performance
Being very fond of the Proframe RS, and given that the new Dropframe Pro draws heavy inspiration from it, I had high expectations of the three-quarter lid and it didn’t disappoint.
At first, I had to play around with the pads and liners to get the fit right. Even with the Boa cinched down, the helmet wasn’t as stable as I liked and I found that it squashed my cheeks a little too much. But thankfully, Fox has included that range of different-sized liners and pads. On top of the Boa fit system, this offers loads of different fit and sizing options which helps to dial in the perfect fit. Once I had the thin liner installed with the mid-thickness cheek pads, I found that I hit a superb balance and the fit was perfect.
The helmet is seriously comfortable. The pads are soft, as is the liner and the lid feels as if it’s snugly hugging 80 per cent of my head. Although it's a couple of hundred grams heavier than the average half-shell helmet, the extra weight isn’t noticeable mainly because of the way the Dropframe Pro fits. It wraps around the head.
It’s a very stable and secure helmet, too. It didn't move around the head like some weightier helmets do, and when using goggles, the stability is boosted further thanks to the strap that positions the helmet even closer to the head.
It feels very much like a full-face but without the chin guard – Ronnie Mac style. However, despite the comprehensive head coverage, ventilation is brilliant. It combines full-face levels of protection with open-face helmet airiness.
While there’s a lot to like about the Dropframe Pro, it’s not without a couple of pitfalls. The main one is the lack of room around the ears. I neither have the most pronounced ears but deep into a ride, I can feel my ears lightly pressing on the EPS foam. During short rides, this isn’t an issue but over longer distances, this can get quite uncomfortable and it’s the only thing that’s put me off choosing this helmet over my Troy Lee Designs A3.
And as the ear is mostly covered, the helmet does affect hearing. It’s not as dramatic as proper full-face helmets but, on group rides, I have found myself having to take extra care when listening to what people are saying.
Fox Dropframe Pro helmet - Verdict
The Fox Dropframe Pro comes in at £270, which isn’t exactly cheap. However, it is a helmet that does its job very well. If that’s out of your price range, Fox offers the standard Dropframe for £190. It doesn’t get as many vents, uses a normal clip-buckle and its coverage isn’t quite as comprehensive but it does get Mips and the same dual-density EPS.
The Alpina Rootage Evo comes in at an even friendlier price point of £140 but its feature list is less impressive but to be expected given the price. It doesn’t get Mips but there is a dual-density foam build, a ceramic shell, and a cool ratchet closure.
Finally, Leatt’s MTB 3.0 Enduro helmet brings the heat in that it’s a convertible helmet that can be configured to be run as an open face, a three-quarter, and a full face – all for just £250. Leatt claims it weighs from 690g (360g without the chin bar).
The Fox Dropframe Pro is certainly a premium product but justifies the asking price through its solid build, excellent coverage, rich feature list and top-level performance. It’s comfortable and breathable and it’s easy to forget that it’s a three-quarter-shell helmet. If you ride an e-MTB or throw yourself down technical terrain while pedalling up on the regular, the Dropframe Pro is a very good and stylish choice. However, a bit more space around the ears would make it tough to beat for aggressive all-day-long rides.