Review
Leatt is an impressive company, and it began as the result of an accident. Dr. Chris Leatt was working as a neurosurgeon when a tragedy he witnessed had him change the course of his life and design a neck brace for mountain bikers and motorcyclists.
Once almost ubiquitous in places like the Whistler Bike Park, neck braces have fallen out of favour in recent years. Fortunately, the company has expanded into virtually every element of protection and apparel for both sports and, more recently, they launched a line of eyewear and sunglasses to go along with their well-received goggles. Few companies begin with such a niche product and then pivot to find success in everything from footwear to mono suits. Even their socks are great. Not everything I have tried from Leatt has suited me, but everything has been well made, thoughtfully designed and highly functional.
Visibility is great and I didn’t my hearing wasn’t impeded dramatically. The wee mouthpiece in the middle of the chin bar is removable for more airflow, which I didn’t need for a Canadian Junuary day.
My best side. The back is made of “thermoplast carbon” which Leatt tells us is a more eco friendly way to add carbonium to a helmet. They also use packaging that is plastic free.
Leatt Gravity 5.0 Helmet
I don’t generally ride wearing a fullface, despite the challenging trails we usually frequent here on the North Shore. Blacks and double blacks are pretty much daily fare when riding Cypress or Seymour. Trails like 5th Horseman and Roach Hit are in regular rotation on Cypress and BoogieMan and Cambodia on Seymour. They are challenging trails but because they are quite technical, the speeds generally stay low, which is how I justify my lack of chin protection.
My other excuses relate to the extra heft of fullface helmets, the generally warmer experience and the changes in how the larger structure allows me to process the trail, speeds and the forest. It’s a little harder to hear your buddies, especially when they are behind you, and there is less wind in your face, which is further impeded with goggles. Helmets with chin bars are often less comfortable as well.
This helmet however, has me rethinking that strategy. It’s very light at just 750g and surprisingly comfortable. It has the convenience of a Fidlock buckle and a new Boa system to aid the fit.
In terms of resisting rotational energy, these seem like a miss to me.
I liked the Boa closure in this helmet more than I did in the Fox Speedframe RS I reviewed earlier.
360º Turbines
Leatt says the blue disks in the image above protect against low and high speed impacts and rotational impacts. I can imagine the first two but when I put the helmet on the discs don’t seem to contact my head because they are recessed in the liner. When I try to rotate the helmet on my head, friction from the liner resists that movement. I’m not entirely convinced about the efficacy of MIPS and similar systems, since hair provides a pretty good slip plane, but it seems they do a better job than these 360º turbines in that regard. The version that appears to be most effective to me is MIPS Integra Split, which allows the shell of the helmet to move like a ball and socket, so your hair (or lack thereof) is removed from the equation.
Features (from Leatt)
- SHELL: Two-piece shell: top shell is lightweight polymer and rear shell is thermoplast carbon. Polymer chinbar
- IMPACT FOAM: In-molded impact foam for superior energy absorption.
- TURBINES: 360° Turbine EVO Tech, the latest evolution of low-speed impact and rotational forces protection.
- Rotation protection: Triple density turbine discs enable the helmet to move slightly on the head upon impact, helping to reduce peak acceleration to the head & brain
- Low impact protection: The special energy absorbing material in the turbines absorbs low impact energy associated with concussion
- VENTILATION: Removable mouthpiece ventilation cover plus 14 vents.
- LINER: Moisture wicking, breathable, anti-odor and washable inner liner. (comes with a second liner set)
- FIT SYSTEM: BOA® FS2 Helmet Fit System for comfort and adjustability
- CLOSURE: Fidlock magnetic closure system
- VISOR: Visor with breakaway function for rotational impact force reduction
- 3-IN-1 SAFETY SYSTEM: When combined with the impact foam, 360° Turbine Technology offers a 3-in-1 safety system by protecting against low-speed impacts, high-speed impacts, and rotational forces.
- Optimal neck brace compatibility
- Plastic-free packaging
The cheek pads have two positions so you can fine tune your fit. I found them more comfortable in the forward position.
Details
- WEIGHT: 710g size M. (my medium weighed 724g)
- CERTIFICATIONS: ASTM F1952–15, EN1078, CPSC 1203, NTA 8776
- CRASH REPLACEMENT: 3-year Leatt Helmet Replacement Program
- SIZES:
S: 51–55 cm (20–21 5⁄8 in)
M: 55–59 cm (21 5⁄8–23 ¼ in)
L: 59–63 cm (23 ¼–24 ¾ in)
Aside from the questionable functionality of the 360º turbines, this is my current favourite full face helmet. It doesn’t hurt your scalp or ears going on or off, it’s nice and light, and it passes all the toughest certifications (ASTM F1952-15).* And, it seems to make sense to trust a neurosurgeon with your brain.
*I’m not a big fan of Virginia Tech’s methodology
Leatt Gravity 5.0 Helmet 520 CAD / 384 USD / 300 EUR
These are dual lens goggs with tear away tabs, good venting and a nice wide strap. They also click open at the strap holder for easy lens swapping.
Leatt Velocity 6.5 Goggles
These goggles suited me just fine. I normally wear light eyewear without a strap or padding but I have also enjoyed Leatt’s 4.0 goggles with have no foam on the bottom for better fog protection and a cooler fit. These are more serious racing/style goggles with a full wrap, a nice wide strap, dual “bulletproof” lenses and posts for tearaway lenses.
These seem to be out of stock in the US online store.
180 CAD / 110 USD
Could these be the only photochromic lenses that get clear enough for our dark forests?
Leatt Speedviz Pro Eyewear (Photochromic Lens)
When these shades were shown to an our group of journalists at Crankworx Whistler last year, we unanimously declared them to be a non-starter. We had all tried photochromics before and they had all been too dark for our dank forests, even in high summer. This isn’t true for every section of every trail but on just about any ride there will be sections where any lens tint is too much.
These are just beginning to transition in full daylight. The change doesn’t seem to take an annoyingly long time in either direction, but they are apparently a little slower than some because they go to 90% VLT, which is so close to a clear lens that I can’t notice any tint in dark forests or night riding.
We were told however that these were special. Leatt chose this lens because it returns to 90% visual light transmission, while full clears go to 92. I can’t notice that 2% difference at all and I appreciate it when they darken (down to 25% VLT) to reduce glare. The fit is excellent thanks to an adjustable nosepiece and good ear grippers. These have become my go-to eyewear – even on night rides and they fit well with different goggle brands.
Speedviz Pro Photochromic 240 CAD / 186 USD / 179 EUR (other lens tints start at 170 CAD / 131 USD and include a spare clear lens).