Within the battle of safety versus consolation, Leatt’s new Gravity 5.0 full face helmet ticks all of the containers. The Gravity 5.0 is a really light-weight lid, and it affords wonderful air flow. It additionally features a BOA retention system and gives a large field-of-view, making this a really snug full face for enduro driving.
I picked up the Gravity 5.0 helmet at Crankworx Whistler final summer time. This helmet was quietly launched in January, however Leatt stored promotions restricted till current weeks when extra stock grew to become out there.
I bought a while within the Whistler Bike Park with the Gravity 5.0 final 12 months, plus a number of path rides this Spring. This helmet’s weight, air flow, and match left me fairly impressed, and I’ve no complaints about it! I used to be additionally given a pair of Leatt’s Velocity 6.5 goggles to experience with. These goggles aren’t a model new product, however I’ve included some fast notes on them as nicely.
Gravity 5.0 Full Face Helmet – Development Options:
For full particulars on the Gravity 5.0 helmet, try my launch article from final summer time, however right here’s an outline of its principal options. This light-weight, extremely vented full face is aimed toward enduro riders, however is licensed for DH racing.
The mid and again sections of the shell are created from thermoplastic carbon, whereas the highest and chin bar are product of polymer. Contained in the shell is an EPS foam liner, and the helmet’s in-mold building options air flow channels to advertise airflow.
The Gravity 5.0 will get Leatt’s up to date 360 turbine EVO anti-rotational pads. The pads have been redesigned with a triple-density building that permits the turbine to slip higher on the within of the helmet shell. This promotes extra sideways motion than Leatt’s earlier generators.
Obtainable in S/M/L sizes, the Gravity 5.0 helmet matches heads from 51-63 cm. A height-adjustable BOA FS2 dial retention system ensures a cosy match for any rider. The helmet additionally comes with two units of thicker or thinner inside pads. One distinctive characteristic of this lid is how the cheek pads can sit in two totally different positions: additional ahead or again on the chin bar.
Different particulars embody a Fidlock chin buckle, a detachable bug/mud guard, and a set visor. Leatt additionally features a visor extender for additional safety on wet days, and the visor encompasses a grippy space for mounting POV cameras.
The scale small Gravity 5.0 helmet is a really gentle lid, weighing simply 673g on my scale.
Journey Impressions – Match/Consolation:
I’m carrying a dimension small helmet, listed as 51-55cms. I’ve measured my head at 56cm, however this helmet matches actually properly. The inside form matches my cranium virtually completely, with no tight spots or gaps wherever. On my first check experience, I rode the Gravity 5.0 for 4 hours within the Whistler Bike Park and remained completely snug the entire day.
I mixed the thicker inside padding with the thinner set of cheek pads, and this lid matches like a dream! The cheek pads are cosy sufficient to maintain the helmet in place however not uncomfortably tight. I’ve the cheek pads within the extra ahead place of the 2 choices, however on that observe – the 2 positions are solely a couple of centimeter aside. It does make a distinction you’ll be able to really feel, but it surely’s not an enormous front-to-back shift.
Being an enduro helmet, the Gravity 5.0 doesn’t have the totally padded inside of a devoted DH race lid, however I at all times discovered it completely snug.
The BOA FS2 retention system cinches down for a cosy, safe match, and it’s simple to make use of. Mine is about in one of many highest top positions, and it’s nonetheless simple to entry the dial beneath the helmet’s shell.
This lid’s low weight is nice; it helps maintain the helmet snug for lengthy days of driving. I left it on for a number of chairlift rides within the bike park as a result of I simply wasn’t anxious to drag it off!
Goggle Compatibility:
I attempted on 5 totally different pairs of goggles with the Gravity 5.0, and all of them match into the helmet properly. The one factor I seen is that, on my head, each pair of goggles sat a bit greater up on my face than I’d like. It wasn’t uncomfortable, however the goggles have been within the fringes of my decrease peripheral imaginative and prescient. I incessantly discovered myself pushing my goggles downwards with the 5.0 helmet, however they might creep up.
Earlier than I sound too crucial, although, I attempted two different full-face helmets with Leatt’s Velocity 6.5 goggles. Considered one of them match precisely the identical because the Gravity 5.0; my Bell Full 10 allowed the goggles to take a seat a tad decrease.
Subject-of-View:
I used to be happy to search out that the Gravity 5.0’s chin bar is decrease than the Gravity 6.0 full face I examined two years in the past, permitting higher visibility of the path whereas climbing or descending. Climbing with out goggles on, I had no downside seeing the path beneath me. I can see proper all the way down to my entrance tire earlier than the chin bar will get in the way in which. Facet-to-side visibility is just about limitless, so I’d say the 5.0’s field-of-view is definitely sufficient for path/enduro use.
As described above, I might be barely happier if the goggles sat a bit decrease on my face with this helmet, but it surely was not problematic.
The Gravity 5.0’s visor is non-adjustable and a bit slim. There have been instances when the solar was getting round it within the bike park, and whereas I climbed or traversed round my path community. A wider, adjustable visor would positively provide higher solar safety, however Leatt’s visor did its job simply advantageous when it actually mattered – On downhill trails. Anytime I used to be trying down on the path as I rode, daylight was by no means an issue.
Air flow:
The Gravity 5.0’s air flow is superb total. My first experience within the bike park bought fairly heat, however the helmet provided good airflow. I might really feel the wind coming by way of the facet vents on my cheeks and blowing excessive of my head.
A few scorching path rides confirmed the Gravity 5.0’s nice air flow: At something greater than climbing speeds, or with any breeze, air flows properly in every single place by way of this lid. Some warmth will construct up inside it as you climb, but it surely’s nonetheless very cool for a full face. As quickly as any wind will get by way of, air flows out and in of the helmet simply. After a scorching two-hour experience at 30° Celsius, I got here dwelling feeling fairly snug. I seen air flow is sweet from all angles, too. I turned my head sideways whereas driving and nonetheless felt loads of airflow.
This helmet stays fairly cool because the inside pads make restricted contact together with your head, permitting air to stream in every single place round them. The cheek pads usually are not massive, and there may be loads of open house across the ears and the edges of the pinnacle. The brow pads sit pretty excessive up on me, maintaining a great portion of my head uncovered to airflow.
Whereas driving trails, I had no downside in any respect respiratory on this lid. The chin bar doesn’t limit air in any respect, with or with out the mud/bug guard in place.
Different Notes:
For those who’ve ever owned a MIPS-equipped helmet with a creaky liner, you’ll recognize how Leatt’s 360 Generators make NO NOISE. On high of being silent, I additionally seen I might hear the skin world fairly nicely whereas carrying the Gravity 5.0.
The FidLock chin buckle is handy and straightforward to make use of; the magnets discover one another and it snaps collectively shortly. I additionally seen the helmet’s shell form makes it simple to really feel the place your goggle strap ought to sit.
As a closing observe, if you’re driving trails/enduro with this lid, the chin bar leaves sufficient room to sneak in a hydration pack straw from beneath.
The Gravity 5.0 Full Face helmet retails for $349. It’s out there in Blue (as examined), Black, Brown, Pink, and White colorways.
Velocity 6.5 Goggles – Development Options:
I used to be given the Velocity 6.5 goggles of their ‘desert’ colorway, with Sand/Lime frames and an Iriz Platinum UC (Extremely Distinction) lens. This shaded lens is advisable for brilliant sunny circumstances.
The Velocity 6.5 goggles characteristic a bulletproof double lens, and so they provide a 170° WideVision field-of-view. The lenses have a everlasting anti-fog coating, and they’re roll-off or tear-off prepared. A pack of tear-offs is included with every pair. The lenses clip out and in simply, and Leatt sells a collection of Velocity 6.5 lenses individually.
The Velocity 6.5’s frames have been designed to suit over prescription glasses, however their outer form tapers down to suit helmets with smaller eye ports. Outriggers guarantee good strap placement on numerous helmets.
These goggles have some high-quality face foam. It’s created from triple-layer, dual-density sealed EVA with an anti-sweat fleece backing, and is designed to maintain mud and sand out. Better of all, the froth/inside body is replaceable, extending the life span of those goggles. Last particulars embody a 50mm huge strap with anti-slip silicone bands, and a detachable nostril guard.
Journey Impressions:
With their Iriz Platinum UC lens, the Velocity 6.5 goggles are perfect for sunny circumstances. I rode a largely uncovered path on a brilliant day, and located the lens is definitely shaded sufficient to take the harshness out of direct solar. This lens doesn’t get too darkish except you’re deep in some shady pocket of forest. Somewhat cloud cowl isn’t going to inhibit your visibility, and I had no points driving between uncovered and semi-lit forested areas.
The Velocity 6.5’s body sits inside your field-of-view, however solely marginally limits my decrease peripheral imaginative and prescient. Fortunately, the goggles by no means actually impeded my view of the path. The froth on these goggles did its job very nicely. After a very popular experience, the froth was tremendous sweaty, however no sweat or mud bought previous it, and it remained snug on my pores and skin.
I didn’t do any lengthy climbs with these goggles on, however I did pedal by way of some ups and downs, left them on whereas establishing images, and rode dwelling from the paths with them on. At no level did I produce any condensation on the lens.
Whereas I by no means discovered these goggles uncomfortable, I did discover the decrease sides left marks on my face after one longer experience. I didn’t discover any discomfort throughout my experience; I solely noticed the marks afterwards. Regardless of these minor impressions, I discovered the goggles completely snug on my face and nostril.
MSRP for the Velocity 6.5 Desert goggles is $131. Leatt affords a large line of Velocity 6.5 fashions with non-obligatory photochromic lenses, roll-off kits, and so on., with costs starting from $109 to $197.
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