Neck braces do not have the same popularity in the MTB world they do in Moto, despite broken collarbones and neck injuries being a fairly common consequence after a big off. Leatt is now offering a range of braces at different price points, with several features that help make wearing a neck brace as easy as putting on your favourite full-face helmet.
These new neck braces are engineered to keep the rim of your helmet away from your body’s more fragile bones as well as distribute the force of a crash or impact through the brace and onto stronger muscles and bones, reducing the likelihood of a break. With a split rear which is designed to move with your body and break away before causing any damage to your back, the padding is ribbed to allow some airflow.
Leatt claims that their neck braces can reduce critical cervical spine injuries by up to 89% and that collarbone injuries are up to 45% more likely without a neck brace. These stats are not just a marketing claim, they are backed by an independent study conducted by Action Sports EMS in 2019. At the same time, there are studies like this one in the International Journal of Crashworthieness where the findings were a bit more inconclusive, stating more study is needed — so take from that what you will.
I have been testing one of the Leatt 3.5-neck braces, which is the entry-level model that still packs a range of features into a sleek-looking package. It is comfortable to wear and after about 10mins of riding, I hardly noticed that it was there.
On big compressions and hits, there was a light knocking sound as the top of the brace hit the back of the Leatt Enduro 3.0 helmet that I was running, in its full-face configuration. This sound was a reminder of what the brace is designed to do, which is limit the movement of your neck in the event of a crash or large compression. While it limited my neck’s range of movement, the brace did not cause any issues when riding. I still had enough movement to safely and comfortably see the trail in a range of riding positions from steep technical tracks to the more pedal-orientated mellow trails on my way back to the car park.
The 3.5 brace comes in three different sizes, S/M, L/XL, and XXL. Each brace has several adjustment points to dial in your fit, including two different sizing slots for the back brace and optional side straps that can be tightened under your arms to help hold it securely in place.
While Leatt claims the 3.5 weighs 497g, my S/M test brace weighed in at 590g with the side straps fitted. This combined with its comfortable fit meant the brace was hardly noticeable when riding and will be a regular addition to my kit when tackling steeper, faster, and more technical tracks.
What is worth considering if you are looking to purchase a neck brace is what helmet you will pair it with. Often, many of the lighter-weight enduro-focused helmets and helmets with removable chin guards do not come down the back of your neck as far as a more traditional full-face helmet. This can reduce the contact points with a neck brace and result in a more than desirable amount of neck movement.
As is the case with most protective equipment it is always best to try it on first, so make sure you take the helmet you will pair it with when you check one out.
