First Look - 2024 Fox Dropframe 3/4 Enduro Helmet 4

For those chasing the elusive head protection combo of light and breathable yet secure and safe, it's hard to beat the benefits of 3/4 open-face helmets. Better ventilated than a full face but with more coverage and versatility than a trail helmet, they offer a fit and function that's uniquely their own. The tricky part is combining the right features from surrounding helmet categories to end up with a product that looks, fits, and performs better than the alternatives. Fox's next-generation Dropframe Pro 3/4 open-face enduro helmet piggybacks on the design cues of its full-face compadre, the Proframe RS, to deliver increased airflow, fitment adjustability, and protection coverage to keep up with the growing demands of gravity-hungry riders.

Highlights

• BOA® Fit System for class-leading fit and security
• MIPS rotational impact protection system
• Increased ventilation and decreased surface contact area improve cooling
• 3-position adjustable visor (compatible with goggles)
• Removable under the visor GoPro mount included
• Large front vents include recesses for eyewear storage 
• Ionic+® anti-microbial liner and cheek pads 
• Fidlock magnetic closure
• Meets the NTA-8776 E-bike helmet certification standard
• Includes thick and thin cheek pads and headliner
• Sizes: small, medium, and large (51-63 cm)
• MSRP: 279.95 USD

Overview

The Dropframe Pro is designed for any rider looking to maintain the unobstructed breathability of an open-face helmet while increasing protection and optimizing goggle fitment. Essentially a Fox Proframe RS sans chin bar, the new Dropframe shell has smaller ear vents and longer cheek protection than the previous model. Plenty of vents are scattered across the top and back of the helmet to cycle air over the head and expel heat. The added coverage still creates a snugger, safer-feeling fit than a typical open-face helmet, and the Dropframe Pro continues to use a MIPS system for rotational impact protection. The helmet passes all open-face helmet standards, plus the latest NTA-8776 e-bike certification.

Compared to the previous Dropframe, the most notable changes include an updated head form to match the fit of Fox's Proframe and Speedframe helmets, an integrated BOA Fit System, and a 3-position visor. We all have uniquely shaped heads, making it tough to create a one-size-fits-all scenario when it comes to helmets. Fox updated its head form a few seasons ago, and we've found the shape fits the majority of riders and is true to size. 

A loved feature when we tested the Proframe RS is the inclusion of a BOA Fit System that greatly improves the fine-tuning adjustability of the Dropframe Pro. The previous generation offered no way to adjust fitment outside of swapping the liner and cheek pads (thick and thin pads are still included with the new model). Now, with the BOA dial, riders can easily reach back to make incremental adjustments to the rear cradle yoke and cable system that loops around the front of the helmet like a halo. Ideal for on-the-go adjustments throughout a ride, the head cradle can also be adjusted up or down between four positions. 

The visor now has three preset positions instead of a single fixed location to help accommodate action cameras and goggle storage. It also gives riders the ability to move the visor fully out of view or drop it down for riding into the sun or in wet conditions. 

The Dropframe Pro is available in three shell sizes and comes with three cheek pads (15, 20 and 25mm) and liner thicknesses to accommodate those who fall between sizes. There is a boatload of colorways available, and the Dropframe Pro retails for $279.95 USD.

First Ride Impressions

Nowadays, most high-end helmets tick all the major safety certification boxes. We trust the engineers behind the products we are slipping over our domes have done their homework, so oftentimes safety is usually a third priority behind comfort and aesthetics. If a helmet doesn't fit well or look sweet, we're probably less inclined to wear it. The Dropframe Pro uses a tried-and-true EPS liner and polycarbonate shell with a MIPS system to offer impact and rotational protection. And for us, that's enough to feel confident in its safety abilities. 

The addition of the BOA adjustment, the updated head form, and extra cheek pad thicknesses make the new Dropframe Pro a win-win-fitting helmet. The size or shape of a rider's head is less critical thanks to multiple ways to customize the inside, ensuring a perfect fit. The cheek pads have a nice, soft fabric finish, and the liner offers enough cushion to distribute helmet pressure evenly around the head. The sides of the Dropframe Pro are made from a more flexible material, making slipping the helmet over the ears pain-free. The taper of the shell around our temple and cheeks made for a snug, secure fit without squeezing our cheeks. Visibility was wide and unobstructed, with only a hint of the visor within our field of view. Short story long, once we were strapped up and riding, we hardly noticed the Dropframe Pro, making it one of the most comfortable helmets we've worn.

Subjectively speaking, the new Dropframe Pro is a stride above the previous design. The visor-to-cheek extension length is just right; there are enough vents to keep the helmet cool without making it look like a pedal-optimized piece of Swiss cheese; and the overall vibe leans more towards that of a downhill helmet without a chin bar than a trail helmet with ear coverage. We also love the unified look of a dedicated 3/4 helmet like the Dropframe Pro compared to the often chaotic look of a modular helmet with its chin bar removed. 

When a rider chooses to wear the Dropframe Pro will come down to personal preference as it is a versatile piece of protection. For us, we reached for the helmet when riding our public bike park, complete with dirt jumps and a pump track. The ability to see our bike below us when making shapes through the air while receiving more coverage gave us added peace of mind. We never rode with any eye protection, but don't see any conflict with goggles or glasses fitting in the helmet. Our only gripe with the new Dropframe Pro was the sound muffling caused by the small ear holes. Difficulty hearing people talk was on the same level as the average full-face helmet. While not a deal breaker, it was noticeable compared to our standard trail helmet or some more aerated enduro full-face helmets. 

What's The Bottom Line?

The latest Dropframe Pro is a welcomed evolution of Fox's 3/4 open-face model, maintaining the same breathability and versatility as before, but now with a more comfortable fit and significantly increased adjustability. With the capability of mountain bikes continuing to increase (regardless of travel amount), more coverage and protection seems like a no-brainer for those who are currently wearing a trail helmet and find themselves flying down trails on the regular. But if you really like rolling the dice on rowdy descents, skip the gateway 3/4 helmet and go straight to a full-face helmet like the Proframe RS, as the complete coverage and protection are unmatched by an open-face design. 

For more information, please visit foxracing.com