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Fox Rampage Carbon reviews? Verdict?

ronnyg801

Chimp
May 27, 2009
61
7
I am in the market for a new lid. My D2 has seen enough sweaty days. I looked around and have only found the typical new release reviews. I am wondering if anyone here is running one yet or if they have gotten their hands on one? Does is look as amazing as the new release stuff says? Not looking to be talked in to a Rampage or into a D3 carbon like I know many will suggest. I love my d2, the d3 looks sick and have heard tons of good things but would like to know more about this one before I make a purchase.
 

Foxbat

Chimp
Aug 14, 2008
71
0
Portland OR
I am in the market for a new lid. My D2 has seen enough sweaty days. I looked around and have only found the typical new release reviews. I am wondering if anyone here is running one yet or if they have gotten their hands on one? Does is look as amazing as the new release stuff says? Not looking to be talked in to a Rampage or into a D3 carbon like I know many will suggest. I love my d2, the d3 looks sick and have heard tons of good things but would like to know more about this one before I make a purchase.
I really like my Fox Rampage Carbon. I tried on the D3, Bell Drop 9, and the Fox and they are all good looking and well built. At the ~$400 price point, they all better be nice. What it came down to trying them all on in multiple sizes to see which one felt the most comfortable and secure. I had a large D2 before so I was inclined to get a D3. The large D3 I tried had a number of hot spots and by comparison the medium Fox was so damn comfy. Try them out since every helmet manufacturer seems to model the human head a little differently for sizing.
 

boylagz

Monkey
Jul 12, 2011
558
61
SF bay area
^ Second on fitting these primo lids. Ive been on an xl D3 for a lil over 2 years now, and sizing is everything. I bought an xl Fox V3R last year just coz I found a screaming deal on it. Even though it 'fits', I didnt feel comfortable in the cheek area so I sold it to a friend. Ive also fitted the OGK/Nema Kabuto/Player and it felt really good too. Much more 'compact' feeling vs. the D3, and I was a M/L on that. Padding is significantly thinner with the size.
Then I tried on an xl Fox Rampage Pro at Otter last month, same feeling as the Kabuto but padding is awesome. Im in love. Im getting the matte carbon colorway in a couple months. Get it.
 

stiksandstones

Turbo Monkey
May 21, 2002
5,078
25
Orange, Ca
For the few that have tried on a D3 and it was not the most comfortable helmet you ever put on your head, I will say that for a few of my TLD athletes, I have simply cut out the plastic 'shield' that is sewn on to the FRONT of the helmet liner, that is underneath right where your forehead is.
After removing that piece, by cutting it out with small scissors, those couple riders went from "there is a couple pressure points" to "wow, so much better, perfect". Its odd that a thin plastic shield would create problems for a few, but its worked wonders.
That shield is there to make the channeled EPS more uniform and has generally worked perfect for 99% of riders, but just a tip for the few that need a more custom fit.
 

xy9ine

Turbo Monkey
Mar 22, 2004
2,940
353
vancouver eastside
^interesting. my old d2 fit perfectly; when it came time to replace it i first tried the d3, but ended up going with another brand due to said forehead pressure points.
 
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bizutch

Delicate CUSTOM flower
Dec 11, 2001
15,928
24
Over your shoulder whispering
I'm in a large D3. Was in a large D2. The first week, it was kinda snug because of my chipmunk cheeks, but after that it's fit perfect. No complaints.

That's one thing about helmets that is hard to simulate when you buy it...how the foam will settle to the shape of your noggin.
 

iRider

Turbo Monkey
Apr 5, 2008
5,648
3,089
Interesting. This is just what I experienced when trying on a D3: forehead pressure.
Thanks Stik, will try. So which bike shop lets me cut this shield out and then try the helmet on? :D
 
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Pegboy

Turbo Monkey
Jan 20, 2003
1,139
27
New Hamp-sha
For the few that have tried on a D3 and it was not the most comfortable helmet you ever put on your head, I will say that for a few of my TLD athletes, I have simply cut out the plastic 'shield' that is sewn on to the FRONT of the helmet liner, that is underneath right where your forehead is.
After removing that piece, by cutting it out with small scissors, those couple riders went from "there is a couple pressure points" to "wow, so much better, perfect". Its odd that a thin plastic shield would create problems for a few, but its worked wonders.
That shield is there to make the channeled EPS more uniform and has generally worked perfect for 99% of riders, but just a tip for the few that need a more custom fit.
Is this plastic shield piece the part that you slide back into place after removing the removable liner? I guess what I'm getting at is; Will cutting this part away affect how the liner is replaced after washing, and/or affect the longevity of the liner itself?
 

stiksandstones

Turbo Monkey
May 21, 2002
5,078
25
Orange, Ca
Pegboy and others...
I am going to say something a marketing douche shouldn't say, but I remember a few months back when we were working on the Aaron Gwin deal, he was all amped to get on TLD, but when he tried the D3 on, he had some pressure in the forehead area and wasn't really stoked...I told him to come in and our fit specialist Mike David would get him sorted by modding out EPS if needed, whatever it took. So Gwin came over, we tried all kinds of stuff on his medium, nothing was really working, then I took the LARGE D3, simply cut that plastic shield out (by snipping the threads that hold it in, careful not to cut the threading of the helmet liner) and it was one of those holy grail moments, he put it on and was tripping "Oh wow, perfect, what did you do? it fits perfectly!" and that was that.

I rarely have any D3 fit issues with athletes or dealers, but I remember last year Ben Reid had forehead fit issues, he showed me he was cutting out that shield/spoiler thingy and it made a world of difference, I just wasn't thinking quickly when Gwin came in that day a few months ago.

It has done nothing to affect longevity/fit of the pads, I am doing it on mine now as well. But I can't believe how stoked Gwin is with the fit, because he 'thought' he had helped develop the most comfortable helmet where he was at before, but now he knows what real comfort is.

Gwin needed to replace pads at the otter because A) He is SPONSORED and B)His pads were already grungy from all the DHing he's been doing.
 
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jonKranked

Detective Dookie
Nov 10, 2005
85,573
24,191
media blackout
Pegboy and others...
I am going to say something a marketing douche shouldn't say, but I remember a few months back when we were working on the Aaron Gwin deal, he was all amped to get on TLD, but when he tried the D3 on, he had some pressure in the forehead area and wasn't really stoked...I told him to come in and our fit specialist Mike David would get him sorted by modding out EPS if needed, whatever it took. So Gwin came over, we tried all kinds of stuff on his medium, nothing was really working, then I took the LARGE D3, simply cut that plastic shield out (by snipping the threads that hold it in, careful not to cut the threading of the helmet liner) and it was one of those holy grail moments, he put it on and was tripping "Oh wow, perfect, what did you do? it fits perfectly!" and that was that.

I rarely have any D3 fit issues with athletes or dealers, but I remember last year Ben Reid had forehead fit issues, he showed me he was cutting out that shield/spoiler thingy and it made a world of difference, I just wasn't thinking quickly when Gwin came in that day a few months ago.

It has done nothing to affect longevity/fit of the pads, I am doing it on mine now as well. But I can't believe how stoked Gwin is with the fit, because he 'thought' he had helped develop the most comfortable helmet where he was at before, but now he knows what real comfort is.

Gwin needed to replace pads at the otter because A) He is SPONSORED and B)His pads were already grungy from all the DHing he's been doing.
so how far down did he drop on the stoke-o-meter before you fixed it?
 

Kevin

Turbo Monkey
Pegboy and others...
I am going to say something a marketing douche shouldn't say, but I remember a few months back when we were working on the Aaron Gwin deal, he was all amped to get on TLD, but when he tried the D3 on, he had some pressure in the forehead area and wasn't really stoked...I told him to come in and our fit specialist Mike David would get him sorted by modding out EPS if needed, whatever it took. So Gwin came over, we tried all kinds of stuff on his medium, nothing was really working, then I took the LARGE D3, simply cut that plastic shield out (by snipping the threads that hold it in, careful not to cut the threading of the helmet liner) and it was one of those holy grail moments, he put it on and was tripping "Oh wow, perfect, what did you do? it fits perfectly!" and that was that.

I rarely have any D3 fit issues with athletes or dealers, but I remember last year Ben Reid had forehead fit issues, he showed me he was cutting out that shield/spoiler thingy and it made a world of difference, I just wasn't thinking quickly when Gwin came in that day a few months ago.

It has done nothing to affect longevity/fit of the pads, I am doing it on mine now as well. But I can't believe how stoked Gwin is with the fit, because he 'thought' he had helped develop the most comfortable helmet where he was at before, but now he knows what real comfort is.

Gwin needed to replace pads at the otter because A) He is SPONSORED and B)His pads were already grungy from all the DHing he's been doing.
So what youre trying to say is Gwin and Ben got weird heads?

:D
 

FlipFantasia

Turbo Monkey
Oct 4, 2001
1,659
492
Sea to Sky BC
"our premium helmet is the best, you just need to hack out some of it to make it comfortable!" ....so shocking that someone you pay a lot of money to run your gear is really stoked on it!
 

bdamschen

Turbo Monkey
Nov 28, 2005
3,377
156
Spreckels, CA
"our premium helmet is the best, you just need to hack out some of it to make it comfortable!" ....so shocking that someone you pay a lot of money to run your gear is really stoked on it!
I feel like I need an umbrella to protect me from all the bitterness dripping off your post.


Everyone's head is different, just like the rest of their body. I can't imagine a helmet design that will fit every-single-person-on-the-planet's head properly. Props to Stik for throwing out a work around. I personally have been rocking a DOT/Snell helmet for DH(a whole other argument, I know), partially because I'm too cheap to buy a helmet for DH and one for moto and partially because I couldn't find a DH helmet that fit my head as well as my old D2 but offered more protection.

I did look at the D3 but it fit funny on my forehead, I even had a the oppertunity to buy a brand new one for a smoking deal off a friend who got the wrong size but passed it up. Knowing what I know now, maybe I'll try to track someone down who's already done the mod to try it on. So far other than the D3, tld helmets have always fit my head better than any other helmet manufacturer.
 

stiksandstones

Turbo Monkey
May 21, 2002
5,078
25
Orange, Ca
"our premium helmet is the best, you just need to hack out some of it to make it comfortable!" ....so shocking that someone you pay a lot of money to run your gear is really stoked on it!
You are always such a treat. Hate to even respond to you, but yes, we feel our premium helmet is the best in the industry and the masses have agreed. So I had 2 athletes remove a small piece of the liner, that in no way affects the safety or performance of the helmet and for THEM, it made a world of a difference. Why is that such a bad thing? 10s of thousands of helmets sold, no complaints and a couple guys making a quick little mod?

And also let me add, Aaron came to TLD, well after my budgets were spent, to try and get on the team because he "wanted to use TLD stuff since I was a kid", when he first came in he was really into the helmets, protection and apparel. Knowing what I know about him now, I know he wouldn't have came to us just for the money, he could have gone anywhere. My entire marketing budget is what our big competitor spends in a month.
 
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stiksandstones

Turbo Monkey
May 21, 2002
5,078
25
Orange, Ca
Listen, he came from a brand that built a helmet around HIS head pretty much, so he was looking to be as comfortable and it was a good match when he first tried it on, but said we could dial it in just a bit more, luckily it was a very easy mod. Once fit was nailed down, he was pumped on the after effects like how bitchin it looks in photos bro! (my words, not his)

so how far down did he drop on the stoke-o-meter before you fixed it?
 

bizutch

Delicate CUSTOM flower
Dec 11, 2001
15,928
24
Over your shoulder whispering
Listen, he came from a brand that built a helmet around HIS head pretty much, so he was looking to be as comfortable and it was a good match when he first tried it on, but said we could dial it in just a bit more, luckily it was a very easy mod. Once fit was nailed down, he was pumped on the after effects like how bitchin it looks in photos bro! (my words, not his)
 

kidwoo

Artisanal Tweet Curator
Hey stick: the D2 was a helmet that very few people didn't feel like it fit really really well on them.

Why change the mold/last/whatever the hell you call it for heads with the D3? I like the extra protection on mine but no one I handed it to before cutting some material out said it fit them. TLD had it down with the D2.
 

Transcend

My Nuts Are Flat
Apr 18, 2002
18,040
3
Towing the party line.
Hey stick: the D2 was a helmet that very few people didn't feel like it fit really really well on them.

Why change the mold/last/whatever the hell you call it for heads with the D3? I like the extra protection on mine but no one I handed it to before cutting some material out said it fit them. TLD had it down with the D2.
Just a guess - new helmet sizing was a large factor in it. The D2 fit certain people perfectly, but lack of proper sizing made it tough to get a great fit for a lot of people. The D3 fixed that, besides being much more protective.
 

boylagz

Monkey
Jul 12, 2011
558
61
SF bay area
^ Its pretty cool how unique cranial profile is, even with that much padding on the D3. Ive worn the D3 pretty much since I started riding downhill 2 yrs ago.
Last year I tried the D2 in a shop and for my head it wasnt even close, compared to how comfy the D3 is for me. Only other lids that felt as comfortable or close to were the Player and the Rampage Pro.
 

stiksandstones

Turbo Monkey
May 21, 2002
5,078
25
Orange, Ca
Hey stick: the D2 was a helmet that very few people didn't feel like it fit really really well on them.

Why change the mold/last/whatever the hell you call it for heads with the D3? I like the extra protection on mine but no one I handed it to before cutting some material out said it fit them. TLD had it down with the D2.
We have to create a unique head shape profile, to fit every rider around the world, while the D2 is still a great seller for us, and a landmark helmet, we needed to fit more head profiles globally. We fit more heads, better, now with the D3. But we dropped the price on the D2, we have a whole new line of designs for the D2, so that entry point to get into the TLD brand is easier than ever.

Remember, the whole helmet market doesn't revolve around Lake Tahoe, "there is a big world out there".
 

jonKranked

Detective Dookie
Nov 10, 2005
85,573
24,191
media blackout
Listen, he came from a brand that built a helmet around HIS head pretty much, so he was looking to be as comfortable and it was a good match when he first tried it on, but said we could dial it in just a bit more, luckily it was a very easy mod. Once fit was nailed down, he was pumped on the after effects like how bitchin it looks in photos bro! (my words, not his)
did you guys take a picture of him with his bitchin new lid while drivin a bitchin camaro?
 

ronnyg801

Chimp
May 27, 2009
61
7
Thanks to all that provided their feedback on this helmet AND the pointer on the D3, it is not out of the running.

No thanks to those who came in blabbering BS and stirring a pot that didnt need stirred.

You dont have to like a product or brand but it is awesome we have representatives here who probably dont have to be on this forum helping out with their product, who all too often seem to get sh*t on for no good reason. If people keep the stupidity up I am sure the reps can leave as easy as they came but those of us who value this insight will lose out.

I just wanted to hear more about a helmet that for me at this time is the lesser known but Fox has a solid MX background so it definitely peaked my interest. Thanks to those who have contributed so far.
 

Jeremy R

<b>x</b>
Nov 15, 2001
9,698
1,053
behind you with a snap pop
My old D2 fit me great, and now my D3 fits well with the plastic piece removed, but it is still snug. It is also not all the way broken in.
But, IMO, the A1 is simply the best fitting helmet ever. It is 100% comfortable, but never moves when you ride. I even ride it the chin strap a little loose, and it still does not move.
I raced a DH this morning, and then spent the rest of the day racing slalom, and switching from the D3 to the A1 felt like I was wearing titties on my head. And that is a great feeling.
 

kidwoo

Artisanal Tweet Curator
My old D2 fit me great, and now my D3 fits well with the plastic piece removed,
You must be from tahoe.

It just seems like everyone I've ever talked to about those helmets says the same thing. The difference in protection is nuts and totally worth a little fiddling, but I just haven't heard anyone proclaim the instant fit from a d3 that the d2 seemed to have with so many people. Ain't no thang.


On that note, how's the fox stuff compare to tahoeD2 head&#8482;?
 

supercow

Monkey
Feb 18, 2009
969
128
shield/spoiler thingy
Can anyone show me what this thingy is?
I'm considering getting a D3 again after using the Specialized dissident . The dissident is my favourite lid but I'm annoyed at a couple of things that making me want a D3 again.
 

iRider

Turbo Monkey
Apr 5, 2008
5,648
3,089
Can anyone show me what this thingy is?
I'm considering getting a D3 again after using the Specialized dissident . The dissident is my favourite lid but I'm annoyed at a couple of things that making me want a D3 again.
Can you please elaborate on that? I am considering the Dissident as well in my search for a D2-like fitting helmet.
 

boylagz

Monkey
Jul 12, 2011
558
61
SF bay area
Can anyone show me what this thingy is?
I'm considering getting a D3 again after using the Specialized dissident . The dissident is my favourite lid but I'm annoyed at a couple of things that making me want a D3 again.
Taking the headliner out, at the brow area where you snap em in, there is a pretty stiff plastic sheet thing where the liner is sewn into. If Im correct thats the thing that you trim to get a more 'dialed' fit.
 

demonprec

Monkey
Nov 12, 2004
237
15
Whonnock BC Canada
i just bought the non carbon Fox Rampage in a XL size but had too return it as it was insanely tight in the cheek area , so much so that when i opened my mouth the padding forced my cheeks into my teeth making it very awkward and painful to close my mouth without shredding the inside mouth . now i,m on the hunt for a lid with adjustable padding in it so i can fit it too my face and head
 

Jeremy R

<b>x</b>
Nov 15, 2001
9,698
1,053
behind you with a snap pop
You must be from tahoe.

It just seems like everyone I've ever talked to about those helmets says the same thing. The difference in protection is nuts and totally worth a little fiddling, but I just haven't heard anyone proclaim the instant fit from a d3 that the d2 seemed to have with so many people. Ain't no thang.
I hear ya. Though when I got my D2, it was a little tight, and then it broke in and fit me for years. But yeah, if my D3 does not loosen up some, it is gonna be a snug fit for sure. It is not uncomfortable now to ride in, but I ain't hanging out in the parking lot with it on high fiving and bro hugging.
 

bizutch

Delicate CUSTOM flower
Dec 11, 2001
15,928
24
Over your shoulder whispering
I think the thing about the "instant fit" the D2 offered everyone was the fact that every other option at the time was horrendous. I had a Bell Bellistic, a Giro Switchblade, then a Giro MadMax. When I put a D2 on my head, I literally felt like the real deal.

Mouth port to breathe through and not hyperventilate - Check
Mud guard to keep clods out of your mouth - Check
Chin strap with stiff end tab to stop it from coming unbuckled and let you pull it off still strapped - Check
Huge opening for moto goggles - Check
Visor way up out of the way - Check
3 screws with rubber backing that kept the visor in place - Check
Replacement CHROME visors - Check
PIMP - Check
 

stiksandstones

Turbo Monkey
May 21, 2002
5,078
25
Orange, Ca
Taking the headliner out, at the brow area where you snap em in, there is a pretty stiff plastic sheet thing where the liner is sewn into. If Im correct thats the thing that you trim to get a more 'dialed' fit.
This is correct and has worked on a few athletes, as I mentioned.