In September 2023, I took a nasty fall on the final stage of Trans Madeira landing straight on my head. I got a concussion and destroyed my helmet. The helmet did its job and cracked on impact, dissipating some of the energy. Luckily I bounced back after a couple weeks of concussion protocol. While it was a bummer to end the event like that, I did save myself the hassle of traveling back with a bulky full-face helmet!.
When I returned home, I was in the market for a new full-face helmet. I really loved my Troy Lee Designs Stage but was also curious about trying on some of the popular models I saw riders wearing during Trans Madeira. I was spending a few months in SLC at the time, so I headed over to the Backcountry.com warehouse to try a few helmets on. I tried the POC Otocon, Smith Mainline, Fox Proframe, and Fox Proframe RS. After trying on all of those, the Fox Proframe RS stood out the most.
Fox Proframe RS
The Proframe RS feels light and airy, similar to the TLD Stage. It has MIPS and a magnetic chin strap, which are a requirement for me. I can’t be bothered by a D ring at this point in my life! Another aspect I like about the RS is the BOA System. It gives the helmet a really secure fit. At the same time, I felt that the plastic strap of the boa would irritate my scalp since I have a shaved head. If it weren’t for that, I would have opted for Proframe RS over the TLD Stage.
Troy Lee Designs Stage
The TLD Stage is a fantastic lightweight full-face helmet. As mentioned earlier, I love the MIPS and magnetic chin strap. On top of that, it has great visibility compared to other helmets. It comes with multiple pad sizes so you can really lock in the fit. In the end, I ordered another TLD Stage to replace my old one. A different color this time, though. FYI, you can get a 30% discount on a crash replacement within a year of purchase. More info on that here!
Specs
| Troy Lee Designs Stage | Fox Proframe RS | |
| Weight | 690 grams | 820 grams |
| Price | $319 | $359 |
| MIPS? | Yes | Yes |
| Magnetic Chin Strap? | Yes | Yes |
| BOA System? | No | Yes |
| Adjustable Visor | Fully | 3 Position |
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