GEAR REVIEW: FOX V3 HELMET
The recent launch of the all-new V3 Solids helmet from Fox Racing sees the redefinition of one of the brands most popular line items after quite some time. We check out what the American company has been doing with their helmet R&D.
Yes the V3 has seen some updates over the last few years, and for a moment it took a back seat to the V4 (which is now discontinued), but nothing even close to as significant as the release of this new model.
The all-new V3 Solids Helmet is the most technologically advanced moto helmet that Fox have ever offered the riding public. It builds off its heritage with a new highly ventilated design, incorporating protection from both linear and rotational impacts. The long list of updates include an arsenal of fancy new features, including Fluid Inside and Fox's magnetic visor system (MVRS). Speaking of updates, lets have a quick check out of the key features on the new V3.
KEY FEATURES
Fluid Inside™ is designed to help dissipate rotational and linear energy transmitted to the rider’s brain in the event of a crash
Magnetic Visor Release System (MVRS) allows the visor to detach during a crash
Dual-density Varizorb™ EPS liner is meant to provide improved protection by spreading the forces of impact across a wider surface area
Patent-pending chin bar/eye port CAGE ™ is intended to improve energy management in the event of an impact
MCT (Multi Composite Technology) Shell construction that blends Carbon and FRP resins to provide a light yet rigid external shell
Injected Mesh vent screens provide superior ventilation and airflow, while maintaining protection from dirt and debris
Removable, washable X-Static® comfort liner and cheek pads are antimicrobial and manage odor while wicking moisture away from the head
4 shell and EPS sizes for best in class fit
Meets or exceeds DOT and/or ECE 22.05 standards
Venting through the chin bar is at maximum capacity.
So now you know all the special features of the new V3, how does it preform on your noggin. Well firstly, make sure you have the right size for your head. Something I messed up initially. I usually run a size L in the Fox range and went for that without trying it on. Big mistake as it gave me a headache. I quickly got on the phone and swapped it out for an XL and it was like night and day. As different sizes run different shells (not thicker foam) you really need to try it on to get the right size. But from that point it was all good news.
Venting to the top of the head is through 5 ports.
Secondly - it looks bad ass with a very aggressive look with obvious concentration on maximum venting. 12 inlet vents (7 on the chin bar and 5 on the forehead) allow cool air to rush into the head and face area with ease. The 3 vents on the rear do a decent job of getting rid of the warm air created by your head, though another couple wouldn’t go a miss. The ratio of air going in, to air going out feels a little out of balance, with the rear of the head definitely warmer than the front. But with safety a priority, it’s a great compromise. I never felt too hot in the helmet and the lightweight (can’t confirm official weight) of it was nice. Not as light as an Airoh, but not as heavy as a Shoei. A good in-between.
Venting exiting the helmet is located up top and down below.
Small and thinner lining give you a real ‘connected’ feeling to the helmet.
Comfort wise, the padding has been noticeably reduced so it is not as plush feeling as the now obsolete V4 or the older V3 model. The thinner cheek pads and thinner head lining are an actual purposeful design by Fox to get you feeling more connected to the helmet. Fox call it the M.O.D. - or Minimum Offset Design. It is to allow a closer and more precise fit of the helmet to your head, resulting in a streamlined profile which reduces the overall size of the helmet. And according to Fox it does not sacrifice performance or safety.
Now I tried the helmet back to back with a V4 and older V3 and it is noticeable. The older V3 gives you a more plush feeling and is slightly more comfortable, while the new V3 feels like you are wearing a helmet that is almost at one with your head. This will be a preference thing I think, as some riders will like the new feeling and some will not. I can say that using the helmet more and more, the lining does soften up a smidgen, but it wont feel like you old V3.
The Velcro and floating clip on the cheek pad.
Do I like the new feeling V3 - yeah I do. Even though it is not as plush as the older model, it is still comfortable and actually feels safer for some reason. It is a little head-gamey, I know, but if I imagine what a helmet should fit like for maximum protection (and I am no expert on helmet design) this more ‘connected’ feeling, I think would be it. Its fit reminds me of an Airoh, which also has thinner lining and feels snug on your head.
Even though it is thinner, the washable X-static comfort liner and cheek pads seem to wick moisture just as well as the old V3 ever did so no issues there. Though I’ll be doing more warmer testing when the temperatures come back up again. The liner is also secured by small plastic clips and a couple of Velcro straps for good measure.
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FLUID INSIDE
This is probably the biggest factor when it comes to the new V3 from Fox. After initially adapting the MIPS system that a lot of other helmet manufacturers also use, Fox joins the likes of like Fly Racing and 6D and have come up with their own version of the MIPS system, which in a nutshell takes into account linear impact and rotational force during a crash.
The Fluid Inside technology works with the theory of mimicking Cerebral Spinal Fluid (your body’s natural protection) inside the pods that are on the inside of the EPS, to protect your brain during a crash. Each Fluid pod matrix independently and simultaneously manages the linear and rotational forces acting on soft brain tissue. Almost like a squishy padding for when your head hits the ground with force.
Now testing this isn’t something I want to do. As much as I like to try things out to the maximum, I sadly wont be purposefully high-siding myself in the name of research. But what I can say is that the pads feel pretty dense to the touch and I thought they might affect how the helmet feels on my head. But you can’t feel the pads at all which is great. But I can assume that these pads are taking up room that the older V3 was filling with thicker lining. But I’ll take safety over slightly more comfort any day.
The MVRS visor is more solidly mounted to help keep it in place during minor clashes and regular aggressive riding.
What I like about the new front of the V3 is that you can now wear your goggles in reverse with the strip just under the visor. The old V3 left no room for the revers goggle approach for when the going got tough.
The second-generation Magnetic Visor Release System (MVRS) that you used to see Roczen pop off all the time has been redesigned to stay firmly in place through aggressive dirt bike riding and roost conditions, but still detach from the helmet upon impact to help mitigate external rotational forces that can affect your head during a crash. It is for sure harder to pull it off and will stay on the helmet more in cases of roost and small crashing. But the idea is that it comes off during a crash so if your’s does, then the helmet is doing its job. Especially now as its on there stronger.
Image: Swap Moto Live
The Varizord EPS is another nice touch that is said to act like a crumple zones in your car. It is to provide improved protection by progressively dampening impact forces across a wider surface area and crumpling during impact. Combine that with the Fluid Inside tech and you have a helmet that is made to be crashed in. Cause lets face it - they don’t design them for pain sailing.
One of the other major safety pieces is the Cage. This is the integrated chin bar/eye port that is intended to improve energy management in the event of an impact to that area.
Image: Swap Moto Live. Designed in a one-piece fashion should make the eye port/chin bar area stronger.
I like this helmet. It is the safest helmet I currently have in The Dirt Garage so I will be leaning towards this lid whenever I go riding from now on. Plus I want to do some longer term testing too.
What I don’t like is that during a mud ride, those vents will get full-blown clogged and they will be a pain in the ass to clean. I love the white look a lot, but know it’s gonna be damn hard to keep it looking so fresh during winter. I also like that Fox have made an effort to make sure the wider peripheral goggles fit inside the helmet. And I like that the price has been kept to a reasonable amount of $699.
There are a lot of things to like about the new V3 Solids and not a whole bunch not to. This is a definite try before you buy helmet as the fitment is different to other Fox helmets. Currently there is White, black and a limited edition Zebra print (if it is still available). Not the most comfortable helmet I have ever worn, but again…I’ll take safety over comfort for my head any day of the week.
For a helmet that has all those safety features, as well as a reasonable price tag, it is worth a real look-in for when you next need a helmet.
Price: $699.95 RRP
Details: Distributed by Level Ltd and and available from your nearest Fox Racing Dealer
If you have any more questions on the Fox V3 Solids Helmet, feel free to contact me via chris@thedirt.co.nz.
Here is a quick edit from Fox Racing on their new V3 helmet.