🎥 Review: Fox V3 MVRS Helmet

A product the Transmoto team has tried, tested and would recommend to a mate.

WHAT IS IT?

The V3 MVRS (Magnetic Visor Release System) is Fox’s new top-of-the-line helmet, and for 2018 it comes with an industry first – a visor that’s fastened by three magnets, rather than the conventional screws. This design allows the visor to ‘break away’ when it cops a big hit, minimising the rotational forces on your head in a crash by reducing the visor’s ability to act as a lever.
The V3 MVRS uses the same multi-composite (kevlar and carbon fibre) shell construction as its predecessor, but it now comes in an extra shell size (the Medium and Large now have their own dedicated shells, rather than just different liners).

WHY WE RATE IT

PROS…

Quality – The quality of finish is sweet throughout, and the models that use the matte/gloss paint combo look especially trick.
Style – The shell has a sharp, angled, boxy shape (more American-style than Euro), with a short chin-piece. The generous eyeport gives you excellent peripheral vision and accommodates the biggest goggle frames.
Comfort – The dual-density EPS impact liner and generously padded liner combine to produce a very comfortable fit with no pressure points. And the fact this model now comes in four shell sizes (and four EPS liner dimensions to suit) means an even more accurate fit.
Magnetic Visor – It takes a surprisingly hard whack to knock the visor off (a short, sharp, angled hit will dislodge it, but a slow linear force will not). And that’s exactly what it’s designed to do (and not do). Also, if the visor does cop a big enough hit to ‘bust’ it off, there’s no need to buy a replacement visor or attachment screws (which you’d have to do with a conventional visor design).
Cleaning – The fact you can remove the MVRS visor instantly makes cleaning the lid a lot quicker and easier. And because that gap between the helmet and visor is where roost often accumulates, this is a real benefit.

CONS…

Visor Adjustability – The visor’s position is very high and not adjustable. That’s fine for young, fashion-conscious racers. But for trail and adventure guys for whom the visor is a practical way to guard against sun glare, the lack of adjustability may be an issue. Desert racers might also baulk at the idea of the magnetically attached visor for high speeds.
Magnetic Cheek Pads – Given the marketing for this helmet revolves around its magnetically attached visor, why not continue the magnet theme with the cheek pads? Aside from their convenience, magnetic cheek pads also make emergency helmet removal safer.
Custom Paint Job – After the high-profile loss of Ken Roczen’s visor at the opening round of the 2018 AMA SX Series (without crashing), Fox has reinforced that custom helmet painters need to be mindful not to compromise the integrity of the magnets.

At a retail of $650 for Fox’s new premium V3 helmet, you’re paying a small premium over its predecessors, but if you’ve ever had a stinger (nerve pinch) from a neck twist in a crash, you’ll probably agree that it’s a price well worth paying. With MIPS and MVRS, both the inside and outside of this new V3 MVRS helmet come with design features that help manage rotational forces and protect your brain – which, after all, is a helmet’s primary job!