Leatt DBX 4.5 Neck Brace

Comfort

Riding in the DBX 4.5 is pretty comfortable overall. While wearing a SixSixOne Comp helmet, the neck brace hindered my head movement far less than I thought it would. The only movements that it really prevented were looking straight up or straight down.

On flatter, flow trail-style runs, the helmet would sometimes contact the back of the collar, but it was never so bad that it decreased my field of vision or affected comfort.

The optional side straps were also quite comfortable. Once they were on, I didn’t think about them at all.

The DBX 4.5 is Leatt’s heaviest and least ventilated neck brace, and that’s exactly how it feels. I haven’t yet had a chance to try out Leatt’s higher-end braces, but if the DBX 5.5 ventilates a little bit better than the DBX 4.5, I’d consider dropping the extra $69 just for that.

And even though it’s ergonomic and doesn’t restrict head movement much, the DBX 4.5’s weight did make it feel bulky to me. This wouldn’t bother me much over the course of a day of DH racing or park riding—which is exactly how a lot of riders will use it. But if you are spending more than a few consecutive days in the park and wearing the brace for more extended periods, I could see myself wanting something lighter and more comfortable, and you might, too.

Performance

So far, I’ve had one fall in the DBX 4.5. It wasn’t a super high-speed incident, but I did hit my head lightly on the ground, and a few marks on the back of the collar of the brace show that the DBX 4.5 did what it was supposed to and kept my helmet and head from putting too much force on my neck.

I did notice some soreness in my shoulders from the crash, which is pretty typical: neck braces are designed to transfer some of the force of a head impact into your shoulders instead of your spinal column. Because of this, there have been instances where neck brace users break a clavicle in a crash instead of their neck, effectively trading one injury for another.

Leatt changed the shape of their neck braces a few years ago in order to minimize the chances of this. Considering my shoulders still hurt after the crash, I doubt the risk has been eliminated completely, and I can’t speak to exactly how well Leatt’s update mitigated the issue.

Either way, I’ll take a broken clavicle over a broken spine any day, but I also could imagine there being instances where my shoulders or clavicles are harmed by the brace even when the crash wasn’t hard to enough to pose a serious risk of spinal injury. Still, I’d much rather take that risk than gamble with my spine by not wearing a neck brace at all.

Value (DBX 4.5 vs 5.5 vs 6.5) and Recommendations

At $299, the DBX 4.5 is a fairly hefty investment, but it’s a good value, too.

Many other braces cost hundreds more, and the DBX 4.5 still manages to be user-friendly, highly adjustable, and offer the same level of protection as more expensive braces.

So especially if you’re like most riders who are in bike parks for a weekend at a time, the DBX 4.5 is a good option that will keep you safe without breaking the bank.

But if you’re planning on wearing a neck brace every day, I’d consider upgrading to the DBX 5.5 or 6.5. The DBX 5.5 gets you tool-free adjustability and better ventilation, while bumping up to the carbon 6.5 will save 144 grams over the DBX 4.5 and further increase ventilation.

There are also neck braces on the market from other brands that are cheaper and lighter. Like the Leatt DBX 4.5, the Atlas Air also costs $299, but has a stated weight of 599g—the same weight as Leatt’s high-end DBX 6.5. What the DBX 4.5 does offer over its competition though is Leatt’s impressive reputation for safety.

Bottom Line

The DBX 4.5 is a good option for any gravity rider looking for solid spinal protection at a reasonable price. I might recommend something lighter for someone spending their entire summer in the park, but the DBX 4.5 should work well for the vast majority of downhill riders.