Once just a small part of the lineup, helmets have become one of the main focal points of Fox Clothing. Even though the Speedframe hasn’t been in their range for long, it’s already become a fixture in the MTB world with a unique combination of style and protection. Wanting to offer a taste of that to more riders, Fox just released the new Mainframe helmet—for both youth and adults.
To get the pricing down to where it needed to be, some concessions have been made. Instead of an adjustable visor, the Mainframe has a fixed visor, but it’s molded into the shape of the helmet. The Mainframe still features massive vents and only one less than the Speedframe with 13.
One of a few new helmets to use is a MIPS integrated fit system, the combination reduces weight, increased ventilation, and seems to drop the price as well. While the Speedframe helmets offer a full PolyCarbonate wrap along the bottom edge of the helmet, the Mainframe has exposed single-density EPS foam which doesn’t affect the protection of the helmet, but it does make that lower edge of the helmet more prone to nicks and dents when it’s being tossed around in a gear bag, or similar.
The Mainframe features a dial retention system that’s built into that MIPS/fit system, and non-adjustable ear cradles. With a claimed weight of 390g for a medium, our sample checks in at just 5g more, at 395g.
Most importantly, the Mainframe includes a more attainable price tag of $89.95 with three shell sizes. Additionally, there will be a Youth size offered for $79.95 with the same features. Both helmets will be offered in five colors and will be available starting this fall with additional graphics coming in the spring.
Updated 2022 Clothing
The Mainframe helmet wasn’t all that Fox was highlighting from Sea Otter. Their new pieces in the Flexair Pro and Defend line now offer increased protection thanks to advanced materials.
At the Flexair Pro level, ultra-light and strong Dyneema threads have been integrated into the material to offer more abrasion resistance at the arms and legs.
The Flexair Pro Pants feature a Flycam buckle waist, Dyneema reinforced knees, and a lower leg that unzips to get them over your shoes, and they’re priced at $199. The Flexair Pro Jersey is a long sleeve design with Dyneema reinforcement from the shoulders down the sleeves, and a woven 4-way stretch on the arm with a price of $105.
Their Defend Pro line again has been bumped up in terms of protection, but while the Flexair Pro is all about lightweight race gear, Defend is more your typical bike park attire—built to stand up against repeated abuse.
This time, instead of pricey Dyneema, Cordura panels have been added to the shoulders and hips to safeguard areas likely to see the ground in a crash. The Defend Pro line will be available in both men’s and women’s, and more on pricing and availability will be provided soon.
