First released in 2019, Fox’s Dropframe ¾ shell helmets have been updated for 2024. The Dropframe Pro’s design has been improved and now follows the cues of the popular Proframe helmets. It shares the same three-position visor and comes with an under-visor GoPro mount, Fidlock clasp, MIPS liner and now gets a boa-adjustable ratchet to fine-tune your fit.
The Dropframe helmet divided opinion with its unusual styling. Originally targeted at the Enduro/ All Mountain crowd, the new Dropframe is popular with the fast-growing e-MTB segment and is now NTA-8776 certified. In simple terms, it has greater coverage around the back and sides of the head and can sustain impacts from faster speeds.
The Dropframe’s new shape is a little awkward to put on, the check pads angle in towards you making it a squeeze to get around your face. Once on, the helmet is comfortable and confidence-inspiring. I always find it interesting, that as soon as I put on a full-face helmet, I feel like I can send it harder and hit bigger features. The same goes for the Dropframe, and there is something about the enclosed feeling of these helmets.
The downside here for the Dropframe is that you do not have the chin guard for protection if you do come unstuck when pushing harder.
Coming into summer with all that extra coverage, the Dropframe is pretty warm. The ventilation works well when you are moving quickly, but when climbing slowly, the helmet does heat up.
We could see this lid being popular with e-MTBers looking for a bit of extra coverage but don’t love riding around with a duck bill all day. Plus with the assist from the motor it gets a bit more air moving into the vents.
Our test sample was a pre-production version — a fact we would only learn after we’d been riding in it, whoops — so the weight may vary slightly from the numbers this size M lid turned up on the scale (690g). Regardless, it should not come as a surprise to anyone that it’s heavier than a half shell — like the Speedframe Pro MIPS, which weighs 398g.
With all that extra material encasing your noggin in a protective shell, you do notice the weight, but it doesn’t move around when riding, and I was surprised at how quickly I got used to the weight and feel of the helmet.
The dilemma for ¾ shell users is deciding whether to go full enduro and run goggles or stick with the sunnies. Thankfully the Dropframe accommodated both comfortably, in testing I found goggles and sunnies could easily fit with the Dropframe without any rubbing or uncomfortable pressure points. It is worth testing out the compatibility of your specific sunnies, as the tight-fitting cheek guards could interfere with some models. Our Fox googles, however, will not have issues. They fit well, and like its full-face cousins, the Dropframe features a smooth band that extends around behind the helmet. This helps the goggles strap stay in place when riding technical trails and helps you line up the strap for the best fit.
Despite the unusual styling and niche target audience, the Dropframe Pro is a great helmet. It offers loads of coverage, is not too heavy, has good ventilation once you are up and moving, and has all the features you would expect from a modern helmet. If you regularly ride gnarly terrain or have an e-MTB and feel like your standard half-shell helmet is not up to the task. The Dropframe Pro should be at the top of your list for your next helmet.
