Price: $219.95
Sizes: Small, Medium, and Large
Weight: 330+33 g (S), 350+35 g (M), 370+37 g (L)
# of Vents: 17
Eyewear Storage: Yes, under the visor
Visor: Yes
Colors: Pewter Grey, Cream, Fluorescent Red, Pine Green, and Twilight Blue
Safety Technologies: Mips Air Node protection system
Safety Rating: Virginia Tech 5-Star rating
Availability: Online
How Obtained: Company Sample
RBR Advertiser: No
Comfortable, Lightweight, and 5-Star Safety Rating
I started testing the newly redesigned Fox Racing Speedframe Pro Defy MTB helmet during the hottest days of summer. Temperatures were well into the 90s, yet I remained comfortable thanks to its 17 vents and lightweight design.
The open-face design of the Speedframe Pro Defy helmet is ideal for mountain biking trails. This helmet earned Virginia Tech’s 5-star safety rating, making it the second safest MTB trail helmet on the market, behind the Fox Racing Speedframe RS, which ranks #1. The combination of the Mips® Air Node protection system, dual-density Varizorb™ EPS, and a BOA® Fit System lets you dial in the perfect fit for maximum safety.
How Mips Air Node Redirects Impact Forces
When you crash, your helmet rarely hits the ground straight on—most impacts occur at an angle, which can cause your head to rotate suddenly and potentially lead to concussions or more serious brain injuries. Commonly used in road helmets, the Mips Air Node system addresses this by integrating a low-friction layer into the helmet’s padding, anchored to the shell via strategically placed hook-and-loop fasteners. During normal riding, everything stays locked in place. Still, when an angled impact occurs, these fasteners are designed to release locally, allowing the padding to slide slightly relative to your head. This movement helps redirect rotational forces away from your brain.
The Mips Air Node system integrates a low-friction layer into the helmet’s padding, anchored to the shell with strategically placed hook-and-loop fasteners. During normal riding, everything stays locked in place, but when an angled impact occurs, these fasteners are designed to release locally, allowing the padding to slide slightly.
To protect the back of your head in the event of a crash, the new Speedframe Pro Defy offers ample rear coverage.
Great Fit with BOA Fit System
All the safety features in the world are worthless if the helmet doesn’t fit properly. With the BOA Fit System, you get micro-adjustments that ensure the helmet fits securely.
Other New Features
The new Speedframe Pro Defy helmet now features a secure place to store sunglasses under the visor. Speaking of the visor, it’s adjustable with one hand thanks to the center point mechanism. Most visors have mechanisms on both sides of the helmet, requiring both hands to adjust. The center mechanism screw eliminates the problem of having a cockeyed visor. Plus, if you ride with a GoPro attached to the helmet visor, tighten down the screw to lock it in place.
Another new feature of this Fox Racing helmet is the FIDLOCK SNAP buckle, which lets you lock/unlock it easily, even while wearing gloves.
The helmet is available in small, medium, and large sizes, as well as in five colors: Pewter Grey, Cream, Fluorescent Red, Pine Green, and Twilight Blue.
Bottom Line
Fox Racing’s new Speedframe Pro Defy MTB helmet, priced at $219.95, is the second safest trail MTB helmet on the market, only second to another model recently released by the company. With 17 vents to keep your head cool on hot summer rides and a BOA fit system to dial in comfort, this is a great helmet for a trail mountain biker.
Sheri Rosenbaum regularly contributes articles and reviews products for RBR. She’s an avid recreational roadie who lives in the Chicago area and a major advocate for women’s cycling, serving on the board of directors and volunteering with the Dare2tri Paratriathlon Club. Click to read Sheri’s full bio or visit her web site sunflowersandpedals.com.