The adventure segment has been blowing up over the last year. As people look for ways to socially distance and get some fresh air, dealers can hardly keep dirtbikes, dual-sport and adventure bikes in stock. It had been several years since I’d invested in an appropriate off-road helmet, so I recently acquired a Leatt Moto 9.5 Carbon – the flagship helmet from the company known for producing high quality neck braces. They’ve deeply invested in the science of head and neck safety and it shows. As someone who has had my fair share of sports-related concussions over the years, I choose my helmets carefully.
Constructed from a carbon matrix shell, the interior consists of four densities of impact foam, as well as a proprietary technology built to absorb impact and reduce the strain felt by the head and neck in the event of a crash. Known as “360-degree Turbine Technology” the small blue discs inside the helmet have been strategically designed and situated to absorb energy from various kinds of impact. According to Leatt, they decrease brain acceleration by 30 percent and rotational acceleration by 40 percent. Significantly reducing the forces associated with a concussion is a big selling feature even though I hope to never need it.
Weighing only 1.19 kg (2.6 lbs), it is also touted as one of the lightest helmets on the market. The lightweight construction also helps reduce neck strain. Less mass means less acceleration in the event of an abrupt direction change. Despite its lightness, it handily meets both DOT and ECE standards.
The visor doesn’t offer any adjustability but does feature an extension that can be snapped on and a breakaway function in the event of impact. The supportive Pro-Fit elastic inner liner made of odor reducing fabric that is plush, breathable and moisture wicking. It is also removable for washing. Its lightweight design and inner liner make for a very comfortable helmet. It’s quite possibly the closest I’ve felt to not wearing a helmet at all.
The various large air channels and vents provide excellent airflow which is great on a hot day. Less so in cool weather. There’s also a side port for a hydration tube. The 9.5 Moto helmet is available in three different sizes of shell, ranging from S to XXL. It is designed to be compatible with the Leatt neck brace that provides neck injury prevention without reducing mobility. Costing $759.99, each helmet comes with a pair of Velocity 6.5 goggles that fit snugly and securely within the face opening.
For more information, visit: www.leatt.com
Dustin, Are you using the Leatt 9.5 for purely off-road riding, or also getting to the trails and/or adventure riding? How did the handle highway (or at least higher) speeds? How about performance in the rain? Thanks!