2 Minute Reviews
Leatt DBX 3.0 Enduro Helmet
Chin Barometer
It took about five minutes to master installing & removing the chin bar on this Leatt DBX 3.0 helmet. It's such a quick process that removing the faceguard to partake in Flask Friday or for a chat is an afterthought.
Despite the ease of use, the great looking lid feels damn solid once the two chin bar clasps are tightened. I haven't smoked my face into the ground for science (#sorrynotsorry) but face-hugging cheek pads and the great fit of the half-shell are confidence inspiring.
The conflict for me comes down to when to wear the helmet. With the chin bar installed it's hot, even with 23x vents, and Darth-Vader-loud for extended uphill efforts. I never want to be that guy cruising nasty sections of trail with protective gear strapped to my back. I'm also a serial banterer and my ultra witty quips sometimes go unheard behind the mask.
With the chin bar installed the Leatt DBX 3.0 Enduro fits snugly and feels like a legit full face.
With the chin bar removed the DBX 3.0 half shell has a true medium fit that feels like home on my noggin.
As well as I fit the DBX 3.0, I tend to leave it at home anytime I'm pedaling with a group unless we're riding outside my comfort zone. Where it sees a ton of use is on early morning solo rides or when I'm in the woods working on my night moves.
Descending with the chin bar installed is a treat with a light mounted on top. The extra support means I can get away without overtightening the helmet ratchet a couple extra clicks as I do when headed down sans bar.
Excellent venting and premium molding.
Easy two-clasp chin bar install.
Hook the clasps and close the levers.
Solid, legit full face fit & feel.
Leatt is highly safety focused from their breakaway visor for a rotational reduction in crashes to the little blue alien suckers that make up their 360 ̊ Turbine Technology. Leatt claims the Turbine Tech reduces up to 30% of the head impact on concussion level forces and up to 40% of rotational acceleration to head and brain.
"360 ̊ Turbines made of 3D molded energy absorbing material" Photo: A.M.
I wasn't sure about the magnetic buckle but it actually works great. Photo: A.M.
The two clasps are easy to use and secure the chin bar tightly. Photo: A.M.
I ride alone, and at night, quite often on aggressive trails so I appreciate the value of 240 USD Leatt compared to the price of teeth. At the same time, I got by for years without a convertible full face and given that I don't generally wear it on group rides if it weren't for solo laps it would be hard to justify owning it.
If I was regularly riding DH or Bike Park trails I would choose a more DH oriented product, like Leatt's DBX 5.0.
I find the DBX 3.0 is a great fitting half-shell so I would consider buying it and only taking the chin bar with me on rides I thought I'd use it. But there's something Karmatic about making that choice that sounds painful.
The chin bar always seems like a good idea when railing greasy roots and rock armouring.
Looking to buy one helmet that's convertible for most aggressive riding this side of the DH/Park? Need a little extra confidence boost at night or for winter riding in general? Is a chin bar the difference between riding solo and watching TV?
There are a lot of situations where the Leatt DBX 3.0 Enduro makes perfect sense and, personally, it's the best fitting convertible helmet I've worn.
For more information on the 240 USD Leatt DBX 3.0 Enduro Convertible Full Face please click here.
Comments
Rob Gretchen
6 years, 4 months ago
Good mini-review Andrew... the new Bell Super DH might be a great option for those who want a convertible helmet and full DH certification for park days... one helmet to rule them all???
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Andrew Major
6 years, 4 months ago
I think for aggressive ‘Enduro’ riding/racing the Super DH is the shot across the bow. The new Giro that is actually a half shell with the bar removed will be act #2 and I can’t wait to see what Leatt, Kali and the other racing focused outfits show up with.
For the odd park day sure. But regular park rats can get a cheaper, lighter true full face lid and who wants to wreck your open lid and full face at the same time if you go down?
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Rob Gretchen
6 years, 4 months ago
Cheaper, yes.... lighter? The Super DH weighs a claimed 850g... not many lighter options out there that are ASTM certified that I can think of.... Kali comes close but still not that light.
And in terms of trashing helmets, yeah I guess that's a somewhat valid concern.
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Andrew Major
6 years, 4 months ago
Separately, this absolutely is not one helmet to rule them all but I do think it’s the perfect Shore lid for those that skip the park or have a dedicated full face and want the extra protection and security of a half-lid-plus. Light, well vented, with a secure chin bar attachment and a solid feeling bar.
I only wear it on solo rides - but also solo ride enough to justify having it - but I have a lot of friends wearing convertibles all the time and for what we’re riding I think you can’t go wrong with this lid if it fits.
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Rob Gretchen
6 years, 4 months ago
We just got some at the shop on booking.... I had previously only seen it in the fall at NRG during a visit. Excited to check them out.
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Andrew Major
6 years, 4 months ago
Nice. Let me know how they go in Castelgar!
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Rob Gretchen
6 years, 4 months ago
The Super 3R sells well here. So I think the Leatt will be a nice addition.
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grimwood
6 years, 4 months ago
I’m with Andrew, full face for the solo ride. Could be a long night in the forest otherwise...
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OldManBike
6 years, 4 months ago
I loved this review.
I think a lot of potential buyers will grapple with the lack of DH certification, so an explicit discussion of that might have made sense. But your views on that may be clear enough from what you did say.
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Andrew Major
6 years, 4 months ago
Thanks OMB!
This helmet is not a Giro Switchblade (and vice versa) but I do agree that once the Super DH is an option, and as other DH rated convertibles hit the market, that becomes more of a discussion.
I don’t disagree that there won’t be riders agonizing over the lack of a DH rating but personally I don’t think it matters. This is a helmet I wear instead of a half-lid not a helmet I wear instead of a full face.
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OldManBike
6 years, 4 months ago
For riders looking for more pedal-able fullface but aren't concerned about convertibility, this and Fox Proframe are two strong contenders, one DH-certified and one not.
I've read elsewhere that reason the Leatt didn't meet 1952 was because the chinbar wasn't rigid enough. But a less-rigid chinbar likely would be safer in certain crashes (and of course less safe in others.) Without available relevant data, it's mostly individual educated guessing which is the safer choice for each rider. My own guess is that a less rigid chinbar would be no less safe, and likely more safe, for me as someone mostly riding non-DH and more concerned about my brain than my teeth.
For concussion reduction, I have a little more faith in Leatt's Turbines than I do in the Fox's MIPS v1 plus dual-density Varizorb foam, but that's a non-empirical guess too.
That's my keyboard-expert take.
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Andrew Major
6 years, 4 months ago
I can’t stand climbing for any length of time in a full face so the Fox is off the table for me. Beyond the heat I don’t like amplified breathing sound.
MIPS vs. Turbines who knows. Read both sides of the MIPS debate and I think the ultimate takeaway is still the best Helmet is one that fits.
Totally agree re. stiffness. Kali has written some interesting material on helmet foam/construction re. MTB vs. Moto and I’m sure it could be extrapolated to WC DH Speed vs. average crashing speed on janky Shore trails.
End of the ride I have zero doubts that smoking my face in the Leatt with the chinbar installed is better than smoking my face in a half-lid and that’s why I use the helmet.
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grimwood
6 years, 4 months ago
I have the Fox Proframe and the Super 2R. I will say that the fox feels much sturdier. But it’s really missing a way to tighten it around your head. It’s also the most vented full face I’ve ridden and I ride on the way up on a regular basis. I also hate having stuff hanging off my back, so if I’m wearing a full face, it’s on all day...
I know this is a Leatt review, but that new Bell looks awesome.
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OldManBike
6 years, 4 months ago
I agree. Giro/Bell have lagged way behind Leatt/Kali/6D on concussion-safety innovation, but the Super DH looks awfully promising.
PoCo_Rider
6 years, 2 months ago
Who sells these locally (GVRD)? I tried the Switchblade; nice helmet but doesn't fit my head. The Super 2R doesn't fit either but the Super 3R does. I just wanted to try this one for comparison. I agree that point of the helmet is for some extra protection, not for the bike park. I often solo ride because I don't usually plan my rides too much in advance and wearing the full face, "just makes me feel better". I have a MET parachute that I like but it sucks for climbing something like GSM.
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Andrew Major
6 years, 2 months ago
I’m not aware of stockists. NRG is the distributor so any shop can bring one in.
Ken @ Lynn Valley Bikes was happy to bring one in for my brother on short notice and he’d be a good guy to talk to if you’re serious about buying one assuming it fits when it arrives.
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PoCo_Rider
6 years, 2 months ago
Thanks Andrew. I'm serious about buying a helmet but it comes down to fit and comfort. I don't want to have a shop bring in a helmet if I'm really not sure whether or not I'm going to buy it. The Super 3R fits really well but I wasn't entirely sure about carrying around the giant chin bar. I always wear a pack anyway so I think I can make the Super 3R work.
On another note; thanks for all of your work with BMBA.
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Andrew Major
6 years, 2 months ago
I should have clarified that better. Totally understood re. fit. It’s more legwork but in most the shops I’ve worked in if someone wanted a fit related item (helmet / shoes) we’d work with suppliers to get one in for them - if the item didn’t fit then we didn’t want you to be unsafe/uncomfortable and we’d either return it or sell it in the shop.
If the Leatt is the lid (it’s a great helmet) with the caveat that you need to try it on to be 100% then a shop will work with you to make that happen.
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Cheers! Wish I could do more personally and the City let us do more in general.
The big props should go to Judy the BMBA President. She drives the bus, fixes the bus, washes the bus... you get the idea. She’s boss!
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Andrew Major
6 years, 2 months ago
Little reusable rubber twist-ties are a great way to attach the chinbar to your bar.
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