HELMETS REVIEW

Fox V3 RS helmet first impressions

Top-of-the-line and, on first impressions, well worth the money. A full long-term test will follow.

By ·

Summary

This is a first impressions piece after just over an hour on the Fox V3 RS. The carbon shell is light, the venting and moisture-wicking liner keep you cool, and the acoustics are genuinely good at absorbing bike noise. The accessory bundle (spare visor, mud visor, two cheek-pad sets, hydration mouthpiece) is worth around £175. A proper six-month follow-up is planned.

Pros

  • Light carbon shell sheds mud weight well
  • Excellent cooling from the vents and Ionic+ liner
  • Great acoustics, absorbs bike noise well
  • Generous accessory bundle worth around £175

Cons

  • Higher price than the standard V3
  • Magnetic peak release dropped for traditional screws
  • First impressions only, long-term durability unproven

This is a first impressions piece after just over an hour on the V3 RS, with a full six-month test to follow. The carbon shell is light, which helps shed the weight of mud, and the MIPS Integra system handles the safety side.

Cooling and noise

Six intake vents and eight exhausts, plus the Ionic+ moisture-wicking liner, keep you cool, and the acoustics are genuinely good, it does a real job of absorbing bike noise.

In the box

The bundle is generous: a zip-up bag, spare visor, mud visor with foam, two cheek-pad sets and a hydration mouthpiece, worth around £175. The magnetic peak release is gone, replaced by traditional screws. On first impressions it’s top of the line and worth the money, but the long-term test will tell the full story.

Who it's for

Racers who want a light, well-vented flagship.
Anyone who values a full accessory bundle in the box.
Riders who want strong noise absorption.

Who it's not for

Budget buyers who'd be fine with the standard V3.
Anyone who specifically wanted the magnetic peak.
Riders wanting a proven long-term verdict (that's coming).

Bottom line

On first impressions it's top-drawer and worth the money. I'll know for sure after six months, but the early signs are excellent.

Common questions

Is the Fox V3 RS worth £559.99 when the standard V3 costs less?

On first impressions, yes. You're paying for the carbon shell, MIPS Integra and an accessory bundle worth around £175. If you race and want a light, flagship lid, it stacks up. If your budget's tight, the standard V3 will do you fine.

What comes in the box with the V3 RS?

A zip-up helmet bag, a spare visor, a mud visor with foam, two sets of cheek pads and a hydration mouthpiece. Fox reckon that's about £175 of kit included. Worth factoring in when you're comparing the price against other flagship helmets.

How good is the ventilation and noise on the V3 RS?

Six intake vents and eight exhausts, plus the Ionic+ moisture-wicking liner, kept me cool over an hour of riding. The acoustics impressed me most. It genuinely absorbs bike noise, which makes a long moto a lot less draining on your head.

Has the magnetic peak release been kept on the 2024 model?

No. Fox have gone back to traditional screws for the peak. If you specifically bought into the magnetic release on the older lid, that's a mark against this one. Everything else, the carbon shell, the venting, the acoustics, is top drawer.

In detail

Front
Side
Rear

More helmets

Other helmets we've tested