Leatt has been on the cutting edge of protective gear for some time. Earlier this spring I attended the launch for the Velocity goggles and the new DBX 4.0 full face helmet, and taking a set of each home with me, I’ve been rocking them on all my gravity fueled rides with great results. Certifed to full DH safety standards, the helmet is aimed at enduro racers and trail riders looking for additional protection.
DBX 4.0 Fullface Features & Specs (via Leatt)
- 360° Turbine Technology for rotational impact protection
- In-molded EPS + EPO impact foam for superior energy absorption
- Maximized ventilation with 22 vents
- Fidlock magnetic closure system
- Dri-Lex® moisture wicking, breathable, anti-odor and washable inner liner
- Optimal neck brace compatibility
- Visor with breakaway function for rotational reduction in a crash
- Certified and tested: AS/NZS 2063:2008, ASTM F1952–10, EN1078, CPSC 1203
- Listed Weight: +-850 g (1.87 lbs)
- MSRP: $230 US
Besides the obviously light heft, stand out features include a Fidlock magnetic closure and a removable mouthpiece for extra ventilation (in addition to the 22 vents already present) for riders pedaling up. While the visor doesn’t move, it is designed to break away in the event of a crash and offers additional rotational reduction protection on impact. The liner is also moisture wicking and removable for washing as well.
On the trail
The best part of this helmet is that it fits and feel like a DH helmet — just a really, really, light one. It doesn’t have that plastic-ky feeling that some of the other lightweight fullfaces have, or a rock-lock adjuster from a half shell. It just fits like a regular full face. but without those old school d-rings that took forever to get the helmet adjusted. Plus it has real checkpads, for a real fit.
Convertible helmets have a very different feel from a “real” full face. Though I’ve tried them, and some of them are good, personally I’d rather wear an open face or a regular DH rated full face.
The helmet is compatible with eye glasses for those that need them. That said, if you’re wearing a fullface, wearing goggles not only looks better, but why would you step up to an additional level of protection and neglect your eyes?
Side note, the DBX pairs extremely well with the Leatt Goggles, which we go into below. The lens on the goggle is bulletproof, and why wouldn’t you want that level of protection? That said, if you’re used to pushing the visor up to store your goggles, the visor isnt adjustable. This doesn’t bother me, though I initially thought it might. I can never get visors to move high enough to get the goggles completely out of the way, so most of the time I just pull the visor off and put it on backwards on the climbs anyway… so that’s what I did here too.
Modern mountain bikes make it easy to ride faster, with more control and confidence. With higher speeds comes higher consequences, making investments in protective gear mandatory for those of us hoping to ride long into our sunset years. Full face helmet technology has been progressing at a rapid pace, with weights dropping across the board on models optimized for the enduro experience. Ventilated and comfortable enough for a full day of riding, it makes them a popular option at our local trails.
The DBX is a strong contender in this category, clicking the buttons in terms of weight, breathability, and comfort. They look pretty badass too. And after seeing quite a few broken full-face helmets being shared across my social channels, it could be a better option in terms of protection.
Like most of my helmet reviews, I have yet to bash my head into an immovable object, so I’ll have to trust the turbine technology works as intended. When it comes to helmets, fit and comfort after a long day of wearing it is the number one priority, and where I weigh in most. Comfort is tied to how well a helmet wicks and breathes, and that is where the DBX 4.0 stands out. Both at the bike park and shuttling local trails, a lighter helmet that is more comfortable just makes the ride better. It also means you can react and move faster, which results in improving riding performance. I also find a lighter helmet means I actually crash less, as weight on your head adversely effects reaction time.
I’m not sure its the ideal helmet for pure, high-speed DH riding though – a bit more protection could be safer – but since I’m not racing and more focused on having fun getting sideways, I’ve left my heavier lids at home.
Although I’d tested a number of the convertible enduro helmets, after the new factor resides and the review is posted, I end up leaving the chin bar off. I find I’d rather wear a full face or an open face; the lightweight DBX makes a great option.
I’ve been mostly wearing the DBX on shuttle runs and at the gravity assisted bike parks, tending to stick with my open face helmet out of convenience on pedally rides. After a recent crash at the local park, (caused by user error- I neglected to tighten some crucial bolts and paid the price) I’ve been thinking I should try wearing a full face even more often, as well as getting back in the habit of wearing the knee pads on all rides that include jumps and hang time. No matter how you swing it, we’d all rather be on the bike riding than sitting with your leg elevated on the couch.
Learn more and check it out a Leatt.com
Leatt Velocity 6.5 Goggles (Ink/Blue colorway with light grey lens tested)
Are the Velocity goggles really bulletproof? Do your goggles need to be bulletproof? I’m not sure if I’m going fast enough to need that level of protection, but I can’t imagine anyone turning down additional protection when it comes to your sight. To showcase the protection level of the Velocity lens, Leatt not only supplied the link to this video, but a sample lens that had been fired at with a 22 rifle.
It’s pretty darn impressive.
Features/Specs (via Leatt)
- Bulletproof and impact tested to ANSI Z87.1-2015, Military Ballistic Impact Standard (MIL-DTL-43511D)
- Certified CE EN 1938 :2010
- Out-riggers with a 50mm Anti-Slip coated strap
- WideVision (170°) Anti-Fog lens
- Permanent anti-fog function built into the inner lens polymer
- Self-draining lens/frame design
- Easy clip-in/out lens change
- Dual-density frame for fit, seal and comfort
- Tapered custom shape to fit even those difficult helmets
- OTG – over-the-glasses fit
- Triple-layer, dual-density foam with anti-sweat fleece backing
- Roll-Off ready for our WideVision 48mm system (optional)
- Tear-Off ready with posts. (Tear-off pack included)
- Removable nose guard
- Soft bag included
- Optional lenses available from 22 to 83% light transmission (VLT)
On the trail
As you might expect, the Leatt Velocity Goggles, pair extremely well with the DBX 4.0 full-face helmet. As with most things Leatt, they look great and feel good on the face, nailing the comfort factor. There are a few crucial items we look for in a goggle: comfort/fit, protection and not fogging up. The Velocity nails all of this. I’m testing the Ink/ Blue color option with the 58% light grey tint and it has been great for our PNW summer conditions.
Having a bulletproof rating may be more protection than we need — or is it? In the event of a crash where a stick or something were to strike your face, these goggles could make the difference between a minor or life-threatening injury and that’s kind of a big deal.
Besides the exceptional level of protection, the lens features anti-fog built in, and this can’t be praised enough. On a moist, humid (shuttled) ride where all the eye glass wearers were pulling off their eye protection, I didn’t have a problem whatsoever, even during those points on the trail where the group paused to regroup. This is generally the time everything fogs up and everyone has to deal with the moisture, but I didn’t even find condensation on the inside of the lens had formed.
At $80 MSRP, the price isn’t out of line for a top-level goggle, and in available in a wide range of colors to match any kit.
If there was one thing I’m not crazy about, its the Tear-off posts. Tear-offs are almost a necessity for competition in adverse conditions, but since I’m not training for competition, I’m not a fan of the tear-off posts as they can be distracting. I eventually stop seeing them, but if there was an optional or spare lens without the posts, I’d prefer to run it. I’ve run tear-offs back in my DH racing days, but always hated the idea of adding more plastic waste to land fills, so until I need that level of performance, I’ll just deal with some rain drops.
I also happen to love the look of the removable nose guard, but after wearing it with the half shell helmet, it looks pretty dorky. That said, that could just be a sign that I should wear the full face helmet more often; plus, if I’m riding fast enough to wear goggles, it’s a good idea to wear a full face. And since air flow and fogging isn’t an issue anymore, I just may make the switch full time.
The Velocity 6.5 goggles sell for $80. Learn more at Leatt.com
