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Leatt Gravity 5.0 Review: The Lightest Full-Face MTB Helmet?

Leatt Gravity 5.0 Review: The Lightest Full-Face MTB Helmet?

As someone who usually doesn’t love riding in a full-face helmet, I’ve been surprised by how comfortable and functional the Leatt Gravity 5.0 can be. 

Leatt is known for MTB and Moto protection, with a range of helmets, chest and back protection, and pads for both disciplines, along with goggles and other accessories. Most recently, the brand expanded into components, offering bars, stems, grips, and a selection of pedal options.

I’m already a fan of the Leatt protection line, and the Ultralite Knee Sleevesare among my most frequently worn pads in my rotation of knee protection, but can this lightweight full-face helmet make the same impression?

I was given the Leatt Gravity 5.0 at Crankworx Whistler 2025 and received a thorough rundown before I began testing it. It’s undoubtedly an impressive offering from the brand, as they continue to innovate in the rider protection category, in which they are already well established. The Gravity 5.0 falls in place between the more budget-friendly Gravity 4.0 full face MTB helmet and the more premium Gravity 6.0 helmet, and strikes an outstanding balance between the two options with a host of features that make it an ideal choice for riders who want a lightweight helmet for bike park and downhill riding as well as a robust option for aggressive trail and even enduro racing. 

Leatt Gravity 5.0 Helmet Specs

  • Certifications: ASTM F1952–15, EN1078, CPSC 1203, NTA 8775
  • Sizes: S: 51–55 cm, M: 55–59 cm, L: 59–63 cm
  • Peak Extender, two cheek pads, and a removable mouthpiece are included. 
  • MSRP: $384.00 USD

Deven McCoy

Personal Bias

I don’t love the bulk of a full-face helmet, but I know I could benefit from the added protection it offers. However, in my experience, being less comfortable on the bike often leads to more crashes, and I don’t always want to take the risk. Instead, I usually opt for a smaller, lighter, and more comfortable half-shell helmet for my regular rides. Still, I have been forcing myself to grab the Leatt Gravity 5.0 for many of my rides lately, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the form, function, and overall comfort of this new hybrid full-face helmet.

Deven McCoy

I ride a wide range of terrain, from mellow flow trails and almost XC-like singletrack to bike park jump lines and steep, technical downhill trails. For the most part, comfort is key when kitting up for a ride, and full-face helmets have historically not been super comfortable on my head. I only wear them when absolutely necessary; that is, until I started riding in the new Leatt Gravity 5.0. While it’s light enough for more gnarly rides, you definitely won’t catch me rocking this lid on trail and XC loops, but on bigger days of pushing descents or hitting jumps, this super-light full-face is becoming a frequent pick.

Leatt Gravity Overview

Deven McCoy

The Gravity 5.0 features a lightweight carbon shell, a BOA Fit System dial, and a thermoplastic shell with a polymer chinbar. In-mold construction enhances internal channeling and ventilation, and the helmet impressively weighs just 710g for a size medium. For context, the new Fox Racing Rampage RS weighs approximately 980g for a size medium, and both helmets meet nearly the same certifications. The Leatt Gravity 5.0 is ASTM F1952–15, EN1078, CPSC 1203, and NTA 8775 certified, whereas the Fox Racing Rampage RS meets all the same certifications plus AS/NZS 2063 check mark for the Australian and New Zealand markets. 

The Gravity 5.0 also adopts a novel approach to rotational impact with the newly redesigned 360 Turbine Evo inserts, which utilize a spread of small, triple-density pucks to absorb impact and rotation without requiring a liner to be integrated throughout the helmet. These new pucks are also smaller than the previous generation of the 360 Turbine by about 10%, which helps keep the weight down and safety high on the Gravity 5.0. 

Riding and Impressions

The Leatt Gravity 5.0 is noticeably lighter than other DH-certified full-face helmets I’ve used, and this is a huge selling point for the helmet. It means less work for your neck and shoulders, and all the weight savings from the venting make it much more breathable and comfortable while riding. It’s so light and ventilated that I don’t worry too much about taking the helmet off for shorter climbs, something that I usually need to do with other full-face helmets. 

The BOA dial at the back of the helmet is also easy to adjust, but due to the more flexible nature of the retention system, it requires a bit more coordination to put on without getting the BOA dial caught up. The Gravity 5.0 also features a Fidlock buckle rather than the more common DD-ring closure found on DH helmets – another way to keep weight down.

The peak is not adjustable, but it is breakaway in the event of a crash and feels secure, with minimal noise and rattle while riding. Additionally, it features a flat area on the underside of the peak for mounting an action camera. 

Fit and Function

The large vents on the chinbar are also lifesavers on hot rides when you don’t want to be taking the helmet on and off, and the removable grid on the front of the chinbar might not seem like it would increase airflow that much, but it actually has a noticeable effect on the amount of air that passes through the helmet. 

Available in three sizes, each with two sets of cheek pads that can be repositioned for a better fit. The inner liner features a moisture-wicking, breathable, anti-odor, and washable design, providing a secure and comfortable fit. This is one of the first full-face helmets I’ve ever worn that I don’t have to size up on – a small yet noticeable aspect that I appreciate. 

The cheek pads have two mounting options to fine-tune the fit depending on head shape, and I’ve been happy with them in the more extended position, which feels secure but puts less pressure on the cheeks, preventing the chipmunk face that is common with full-face helmets. The FOV through the helmet’s opening is also pretty generous – an issue that I’ve run into on other full-face helmets in the past. The chinbar and peak are spaced well enough that you can still see everything around you, and the side-to-side vision is broad enough not to feel restrictive.

Final Thoughts & Availability

Leatt

Overall, the Gravity 5.0 from Leatt feels like an excellent option for someone who doesn’t want to invest in multiple helmets and prefers a single full-face helmet for their aggressive riding. While a dedicated DH full-face is ideal for someone who is solely focused on racing and gravity and would like a MTB helmet that still meets the certifications of a motorcycle helmet, the Gravity 5.0 meets a lot of the standards for downhill riding and is packaged in a lightweight and breathable form that won’t break the bank.

The Leatt Gravity 5.0 is available now

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