South African protectives brand, Leatt, has introduced a new enduro helmet to its product range.
Best known for its advanced neck braces, Leatt has applied some of its proven safety engineering technology to produce a new convertible mountain bike helmet.
The market for enduro helmets that feature a removable chin-bar, remains robust. A traditional full-face helmet is never going to be comfortable or cool enough to climb long fireroads on your way to that double-black diamond trail’s drop-in point.
Leatt’s new offering is the 4.0 Enduro, which promises downhill helmet safety certification and the comfort of a traditional half-shell mountain bike helmet when you aren’t descending.
- Leatt DBX 1.0 AM and 3.0 AM helmet review
- Leatt AirFlex Pro knee guard review
- Leatt DBX all-weather, all-mountain bike kit reviewed
Safe enough for extreme enduro
With the chin-bar in place, Leatt’s 4.0 Enduro weighs 810g and claims the following safety certifications: S/NZS 2063:2008, ASTM F1952–10, EN1078, and CPSC 1203.
Unlike many rivals, Leatt does not use the MIPS safety liner, choosing to fit its own Turbine 360 system instead. Compared to a standard helmet this is claimed to produce 40% greater impact protection and a 30% reduction in shear forces on the brain, in the case of angular impacts.
A removable mouthpiece can increase airflow whilst riding, and with no less than 18 ventilation ports, the 4.0 Enduro should be cool to wear, even on the hottest summer day.
The helmet’s chin-bar latching mechanism is stainless steel, instead of plastic, which should prove more robust for frequent use at the start and end of downhill runs.
Beyond its protective properties and comfort, Leatt’s industrial designers have also ensured that the brand’s new 4.0 Enduro is very eyewear friendly. The visor has generous upward adjustable, to create a shaped surface for goggle stowage or docking sunglasses.
Fidlock supplies the magnetic buckle, which prevents having to annoyingly fiddle when opening or closing the helmet’s fit straps. Leatt says that even with gloves on, riders should easily be able to open and close the 4.0 Enduro’s securing buckle.
Available in four colorways and three sizes (S, M and L), the 4.0 Enduro retails for $299.
