REVIEW
Fox sent us two full fits, their 50th Anniversary Limited Edition Collection and the Greg Minnaar signature trail collection. Both are intended as celebrations; a celebration of Fox's 50th Anniversary with a collection of gear and apparel that is a nod to both their past and future. The other is a celebration of Greg Minnaar's career with subtle nods to his victories and achievements, featuring a camo print derived from the outline of his (and my) home country, South Africa.
The Fox 50th Anniversary Limited Edition Collection.
The Greg Minnaar signature trail collection. Best caption for this photo wins the comments.
Speedframe Pro Helmets
The fit and features of the Greg Minnaar and the 50th Anniversary Speedframe Pro helmets are identical. Both are fully featured helmets with all the bells and whistles you'd want from a protective open face helmet. Besides the colour, and see-through bit on the 50th helmet, I couldn't find a difference between the two. The 50th Anniversary Speedframe Pro retails for 245 CAD, and the Minnaar version is 255 CAD.
While the padding is thin and sparse, this helmet is comfortable, and breathes incredibly well.
I really like Fidloc helmets. Install and removal is quick, easy and reliable.
The 50th Anniversary collection sports Fox's updated Fox Head logo.
I found the strap splitter comfortable.
Emma did a great article on the Speedframe Pro back in 2023. I agree with all her comments. The Speedframe scores 5 stars (best) in Virginia Tech's impact testing, is comfortable, and is well-ventilated. To expand, I find the Speedframe padding on the thin side; at least it feels much less padded in comparison to the Leatt open-face helmets I've been riding in more recently. The thinner pads of the Speedframe might have a bit less sweat absorption capacity, but I haven't found the Speedframe any less comfortable when riding. I like the Fidlock buckle, and getting a good fit was quick and easy. The multi-position visor works well, and the dual-density foam should do a better job of absorbing impacts. My only complaint with the Speedframe Pro is that it's a bit jiggly and squeaky. When I'm riding, I can feel and hear the helmet moving about on the MIPS layer. I've had MIPS or MIPS-esque helmets for years now, and it's the first time I've had any of these systems make a noise. As for the ventilation, it's almost too effective in the winter months here and I find my forehead getting chillier than I'm used to (although this will be wonderful in the vast majority of months). I've been riding a few days a week with the Speedframe Pro, and I've thoroughly enjoyed wearing both versions.
The Greg Minnaar edition Speedframe. The same as the 50th Anniversary edition, but in a lovely matte white and sage colour scheme.
Ample exit vents on the Speedframe Pro.
Goggles
The Pureview 50th Anniversary Goggles are a highly breathable goggle from Fox. Similar to the Leatt X-Flow goggles these have the cheek foam and side foam removed to increase air flow and ventilation. These ventilated goggles retail for 165 CAD.
These goggles didn't fit my face quite as well as the Leatt X-Flows. They achieved a similar result, and I enjoy riding in both, but I found my nose hardly touched the nose piece. I think a foam nose bit like the Leatt would be a better solution. Regardless, the lenses suffer from minimal distortion, and are easy to change. These lenses fog a bit easier than the Leatt's, but I'm also particularly sweaty, and it's been wet and humid lately. I didn't have any issues with dirt getting stuck inside the goggles and I liked how I could do short pedals up with these on without them fogging too badly. Any fog also cleared out quickly due to the excellent ventilation. The lens clarity was great and I like the increased stability over glasses.
The Pureview Goggles with a tinted and reflective lens. This lens is a bit too dark for this dank day on the Shore. But would be a nice choice in more open and sunnier environments.
Standard Goggle Strap holding these in place.
Changing lenses is easy and takes a few seconds.
Clear lenses installed and ready for the dank Shore conditions.
Rawtec Long Sleeve Jersey
Fox claims Rawtec is their future performance fabric on the trail. The material is designed to be lightweight and slim and it's constructed using an engineered knit jacquard TruDri® main body, intended to deliver a balance between durability and breathability. Fox claims this jersey keeps the airflow going every session and delivers a comfortable, athletic fit for true mobility on dirt.
It feels like a lot of this jersey is bonded together, which makes it very comfortable to wear against the skin. The back panel is cut longer than the front panel to reduce the amount of loam making its way into your underpants. The fabric vents well and feels great against the skin. The lack of seams is comfortable, and the fit for me is perfect. I've worn this jersey in a wide variety of conditions now, and grown to like it a lot. I find myself reaching for this jersey more often than not.
The fabric has a microtexture that is comfortable, breathable, and feels quite durable.
Bonded seams.
Although in one spot the bond has delaminated a bit.
Additional perforations in strategic places to increase ventilation.
While the shoes are certainly loud, I like how the whole 50th Anniversary Kit looks on the bike.
Flexair Pro Greg Minnaar Jersey
The Flexair Pro Greg Minnaar jersey is an ultralight, moisture-wicking short sleeve jersey. The front hem, sleeve and neck openings are bonded to reduce chafing. Fox claims this as a tailored fit, but I'd say this is a tight tailored fit. The sizing is small in this jersey. While the medium RAWTEC jersey fits well, this short sleeve feels painted on. Retail is 125 CAD. So while the Rawtec long sleeve is ideal in a medium, I felt more comfortable in the size large short sleeve.
While comfortable, the size medium of this jersey feels painted on. No shirt at all feels less revealing.
The large is a better fit for me, and most of my shirts / jerseys are mediums. Unless you're looking for a tight fit, I'd recommend going up a size.
Minnaar signature panel.
I like the subtle logo.
Greg's World Champs years; 2003, 2012, 2013 and 2021. Incredibly Greg has been on the podium at World Champs an additional 7 times. GOAT.
The highly ventilated short sleeve was ambitious on this day!
Flexair Gloves
Next up we have the Greg Minnar and 50th Anniversary Flexair gloves. The Greg Minnaar version retails for 70 CAD and the 50th Anniversary versions retail for 75 CAD. Both pairs are a tight fit, and super comfortable. It's almost like wearing no gloves at all. The two gloves fit differently however and feel like they're made from quite different materials. The palm on the 50th Anniversary is softer and grippier. Unfortunately, the stitching on the 50th Anniversary gloves split on the right thumb, but I repaired them and they've been going strong ever since. It looks like a couple other folks had issues with the right thumb as well, so hopefully Fox has rectified this flaw in manufacturing.
Riding in the 50th Anniversary gloves is about as close to the feeling of gloveless as you can get, but without needing to rub your hands in the dirt. They're incredibly comfortable. Yes they're expensive, and the quality flaw was disappointing, but since repairing them they're easily my favourite pair of gloves. If you see these I highly recommend trying on a pair. I'm hoping the leather palm will also prove to be more durable overtime, further justifying the higher initial cost.
The 50th Anniversary Flexair gloves were tough to put on, but so comfortable once on. The leather palm is soft, and provides fantastic grip. The cuff is neoprene, and provides a secure feel.
The back of hand is thin and very breathable.
The Greg Minnaar Flexair gloves don't fit as snuggly, and the palm is not as nice a leather. But they're still wonderfully comfortable gloves.
Rawtec Pants
Fox intends the Rawtec Pants to be durable, lightweight, and comfortable: three essential ingredients for a hard-wearing pair of mountain bike pants. The Rawtec Pants have integrated and engineered abrasion resistance woven right into the design, saving weight and beefing up performance while TruDri® fabric moves sweat away from the body to keep you dry as you shred. Mobility is assured thanks to TruMotion® all-way stretch fabric, meaning you can move about with a full range of motion on technical terrain. These pants have two zippered front pockets that are a generous size. The Rawtec Pants retail for 270 USD.
These have been very comfortable to pedal in all day. The material isn't waterproof, but breathes well, and sheds a surprising amount of dirt and water. The pockets are well-placed, and have plenty of space for a large phone, tools, and keys. The fit for me is on the tight side through the legs with the waist ratchet bottomed out. I do have thicker legs, but these are probably worth trying on to test fit as they are more snug through the leg than most biking size 34s.
I've been enjoying wearing these pants so much that I've been reaching for them on the regular through our wet season here. I've noticed a bit of whitening in the bum from all the grit on the saddle. That's not unusual for pants / shorts in my experience, but part of me had hoped the advanced materials in these pants might have eliminated the fading.
Textured fabric flows from the jersey into the pants, although the material and texturing is different and feels tailored to each area of the pants.
Ratchet waist closure, with no zipper. These fit generously in the waist and quite tight on the legs. I'm a 34 in most things, and had the waist ratchet about as small as it would go most of the time.
Ample space for bigger phones in the front pockets.
No bunching in the back. These fit really nicely.
I do like the small splotches of bright green on the pants and jersey to tie the kit together.
I love how this kit looks when the forest is this green!
Flexair Greg Minnaar Pants
Greg's signature pants feature a similar South African camo print to match the jersey. These retail for 240 CAD. These are super-light, tapered fit with Fox's TruDri fabric intended to wick sweat. The material is all-way stretch, which provides a good range of motion. There is a Durable Water Repellent finish that sheds moisture, dirt, and debris. Two front pockets, and then one additional side pocket on the left side for keys or a tool. These Flexair pants fit a bit looser than the 50th Anniversary pants, particularly through the thighs.
I prefer the fit and fabric of the 50th Anniversary pants, but these are still really nice. The Flexairs are plenty comfortable to pedal in all day. They're on the lighter, more breathable side, but still have a good DWR finish that beads / sheds water and mud fairly well.
Ample space through the knee for knee pads.
I like the additional third back zippered pocket for keys or a tool.
Greg's championship years.
As a complete kit, the Greg Minnaar trail kit fits well, is comfortable and looks fantastic.
Union Shoes
Much like the helmets, the Union BOA shoe is the same for the Greg Minnaar and 50th Anniversary versions. While the Minnaar versions retail for 340 CAD, the 50th Anniversary versions retail for 390 CAD. I can't tell much difference between the two. Cam reviewed the flat pedal versions a year ago, and Emma did a lovely review before that. Both Union's use a one-piece molded upper, reinforced toe protection, exchangeable arch support for high / low arches, a grippy sole, sit on the stiffer side, and dual BOA's for closure.
So yes, these are very green. But they've grown on me. The dual BOA is great, and the materials are nice.
Appropriate depth cleat pocket, and the sole is just as green.
These took my breath away from seeing them for the first time. But in the woods on a day like this, they fit right in.
The fit is great. I preferred the high arch option, which was quick and easy to switch and a really good system to tailor the shoe to your foot. The dual BOA system was easy to use. These shoes seem to ventilate well and keep a surprising amount of water and dirt out. The cleat tunnel is generous and offers plenty of room for cleat placement. I liked the stiffness of the Unions too. My only niggle is the shoes are a bit tight around the widest part of my foot. When descending my foot gets uncomfortable just around the widest part, almost chafing on the stiffer outer of the shoe. That said, the shoes seem to be breaking in nicely, and this is diminishing. I found the shoes relatively stiff and efficient to pedal in, and like how they look.
The Minnaar version appears to be very similar in construction to the 50th Anniversary Unions, and the fit is identical.
I like the white / sage helmet and shoes with the mostly black kit.
I'm sure the day-glow green will tone down a bit with some mud.
Two Full Kits from Fox Then
From the outset, the pieces aren't cheap, but they're all good quality, well made, and great looking. There is a bit of inconsistency in the jersey and pants sizing, so I recommend trying things on if you can. The medium short sleeve Minaar jersey was tighter than Scrooge's pockets, yet the 50th Anniversary medium long sleeve fit perfectly. The size 34 Minaar pants are a touch loose with the ratchet bottomed out, but the same size 50th Anniversary Rawtec pants were a touch tight.
I like both kits, and find myself reaching for pieces of these kits for every ride since I've had them. As a complete, I particularly like the 50th Anniversary kit. The fabrics are fantastic, fitting nicely with just the right amount of stretch. Yes the shoes are loud, but as a complete kit, they work well colour-wise.
Just a beauty forest shot from Deniz I couldn't leave out!
The 50th Anniversary gloves might be the stand-out piece. They are a mission to get on and have minor discomfort in the seam of the neoprene cuff, but otherwise, they are the grippiest and most comfortable gloves I've used. I like the concept of the Pureview vented goggles, and both lenses supplied. The Union shoes are comfortable, stiff, and easy to put on / take off. Lastly, the Speedframe Pro helmets are comfortable, protective, well-ventilated, and look great. All the pieces in these kits fit nicely and definitely make me look fitter, so a huge thanks to Fox for that!
Tim Coleman
Age: 42
Height: 183 cm / 6'
Weight: 83 kg / 182 lbs
Ape Index: 1.055 / +10 cm
Inseam: 81 cm / 32"
Preferred Riding: Gravity Mountain Bike
Bar Width: 800 mm
Preferred Reach: 500 - 520 mm (but this is stack and head angle dependent)
