Leatt DBX 3.0 HElmet REview

The One I Crashed Hard in!

It was a pretty hard hit to the hard packed, rock exposed dirt path... but I walked away from it!

The Leatt DBX 3.0 was a helmet I chose to give a try at using after a previous seasons crash left me with a broken jaw and a better part of 24hrs worth of memory loss. The helmet did its job there too, but it wasn't as "Sophisticated" as the DBX 3.0, and this time around I wanted to add a few more features between the ground and my brain to the helmet equation. 

The previous Helmet was using CONEHEAD tech, but that was it. Now I know several brands use this in their helmets (Leatt included in some DH models, as well as POC, FOXHEAD, KALI), I wanted something like that, plus rotational defense. So,  this brings in their 360 Turbine tech. Add to that a "3D In-Moulded impact foam" and breakaway visor and there are now a few new features added between my brain and the dirt.

So, whats it all mean... well, no one likes to actually test helmets as they are intended too, but in this case I did unfortunately get too!
Leading up to it here is what I have to say about the helmet...

Fit was fantastic, was snug everywhere without being uncomfortable, never felt like I needed to move the helmet or relieve tension during a ride. The 360 Turbines... never noticed them (unlike another rotation system with great claims, but an awkward feeling on my head).
I did notice one thing however... watch your glasses selection. I like the larger lens'd and full frame MTB glasses, but with this helmet having some good coverage, the front drops a little lower than my previous helmet. This in turn pushed down on the glasses and forced the nose bridge to put some uncomfortable pressure on my face. Maybe my head is not as tall as others, or maybe it is that the helmets awesome coverage created this issue. Not wanting to change my glasses, I learned to deal with it. In fact, it was a handy little feature when shiat got really rough and both the helmet and the glasses were forced to stay in place.

So I crashed... launched into the ground head first sliding down the trail the hole time just saying to myself as I slid.... "NOT THE HEAD, NOT THE HEAD!" I really didn't want another concussion added to my count. Appears... I escaped that fate!
Helmet did its job, the 3D foam and impact foam took the impact and shattered.
The visor broke out of the way to prevent it from catching trail debris and wrenching my head around.
The buckle... never let loose
The exterior shell bears the signs of rock hits and scrapes, but nothing penetrated through the shell.
And... I remember the whole thing, got up walked away from it and did not experience any post concussion type symptoms to cause me to believe I had another one!


So, that helmet is dead.... whats next!
Well, I want ConeHead type Tech again, and I want some rotational protection... these are non-debatable items now, especially after two of my hardest crashes ever.
So, I have a Kali to test... has both those features. But, I like having two helmets on hand at all times... So maybe a TLD as well. Has MIPS, plus a breakaway visor and their dual density EPP + EPS liner as well!

So... watch for more Helmet reviews this season!

[the] Dirt MUrderR