Performance
Helmets should be more about their safety features than their ride characteristics, but a great helmet really shouldn’t be noticeable when riding – if I’m hyper aware that I’m wearing a helmet, it’s probably because it’s uncomfortable in some way. In this regard, the DBX 6.0 was fantastic in that I never really noticed it. It doesn’t make any weird whistling noises at speed, no part of the helmet obstructed my vision at all, and I didn’t have any uncomfortable pressure points.
In terms of venting and keeping my head cool, I’d say it’s one of the best “real” full face helmets that I’ve ridden (i.e. not full faces that are really just half shells with a minimalist chin bar that won’t pass certification standards). I still wouldn’t want to do any lengthy pedals in it when it’s warm out, but it kept me cooler than any other full face I’ve ridden recently, and I did a few short pedals with it on and I didn’t noticeably overheat.
For more pedal oriented rides, the helmet also has built in routing for a hydration line. I haven’t used it, so I can’t comment on it’s functionality, but there aren’t many other full faces on the market with that feature.
Aesthetics
Like I said at the outset, it doesn’t make any sense to buy a helmet based purely on looks. That said, plenty of people do it anyways, so if you want my entirely subjective opinion of something that doesn’t really matter, here it is. The DBX 6.0 is pretty clean looking and isn’t cluttered up with skulls, lightning bolts, and other graphic indications of insecurity. When sneak peeks of the DBX 6.0 were released a couple years ago, the visor seemed mildly reminiscent of an erect platypus, but I’m happy to report that the visor was apparently changed somewhere along the line, because now it’s pretty normal looking. All in all, I think it’s a good looking helmet, and if you wear it at the apres-dh bar, you will almost certainly be swarmed with swooning admirers.
Who’s It For?
While the $499 DBX 6.0 comes with a premium price tag, the DBX 5.0 has almost all of the same features, minus the carbon shell, and minus $100 on the price. Similarly, if you’re in need of something that can pull double duty on the dirt bike, check out the GPX lineup — it has all of the same features, but it’s bulked up for DOT certifications. So if you’re in need of a new DH lid, the DBX series should definitely be on the short list to try on, and you can base your choice within it on budget.
Bottom Line
On their first foray into the world of helmets, Leatt nailed it. The DBX 6.0 is crammed full of safety features and it’s presented in a clean, light package that’s also one of the better ventilated helmets on the market.
Hey Noah
Another very informative review. I certainly agree with you that comfort and design should be a given and safety is paramount.
I’m looking for an Enduro helmet and the same Leatt “turbine” shock absorber tech is applied to the dbx 3 enduro helmet v2.
It’s an interesting helmet because It’s certified and tested to EN1078 and CPSC 1203, while the chin bar is certified and tested to pass ASTM1952. Weight is around 700 grams, or about 375 without the chin bar.
Perhaps ATSM 1952 isn’t quite as high a certification as that of the DBX6. But it’s a much more practical hat for rides with a lot of pedalling. Lighter. Better venting and the removable chin bar all seem big advantages for “old school self assisted pedal up steady & go for it on the downward inclines” riding.
Man, I’d love you guys to test that one for your less full on rides.
So far so good with the DBX3 Enduro then.
Now, my main question –
Having heard Jonathan’s super informative interview with Sweetprotection I can justify a new helmet for sure. Especially since my Flux was probably compromised by a recent pedal clip / tree headbutt incident.
Inspired by that interview, I’ve looked at MIPS which apprently involves an internal frame that, in “trail designs” grips the head using the XC style” tensioner/retention device to help it tighten. So the entire head is “gripped”.
Trying it on though reveals very little damping in the “rotational float” – which had me wondering about the benefits.
Ståle Møller, Mr Sweetprotection was very firm about the importance of a good snug fit. I get his point.
Leatt write about better basic protection AND reduction of rotational force. Nice.
But, of course, there are almost always voids between the skull and the inside of a helmet, the internal pads just don’t touch everywhere, (unless you’re amazingly lucky I guess).
So. I’m wondering how effective those turbines are when/if they are not all touching the head.
On the DBX 3 the rear tensioner isn’t apparently part of the damped rotating mechanism as far as I can see (unlike MIPS). So, it got me thinking.
I realise you’ve likely only handled the tested v6 helmet, but those turbines are the same, it seems. Maybe it has the V-Foam licenced by Kali too.
Just wondered if you have any thought on how effective the turbines are.
I guess, in an impact, the head might push into the loaded area and thus “fit” against the turbine pads, so allowing them to do their job.
Maybe you discussed this with Leatt?
I was looking for some stuff from Leatt about this, but their youtube channel seems to be more about showing riders in action (sometimes on pretty crazy “bikes”).
It’s plainly a pretty serious company where protection is involved so my money’s on Leatt just now. Hitting a tree would be a hard way to find out though.
Any thoughts please Noah.
& might you test the DBX enduro V3 sometime?
Thanks man
Great review.
N
Hi Neil,
We actually just got a DBX 3 Enduro – so we’ll have a review on that once we’ve spent a bit of time with it.
But as to your question regarding the Turbines – I think it’s tough to say how effective they are in the real world. I know Leatt has done a fair amount of testing, and their tests most definitely show that the 360 Turbines help. But, like MIPS, the Turbines are primarily intended to address rotational impacts, and that situation I think is somewhat inherently complicated to test. I would say most crashes have some amount of rotational force involved, but depending on the specifics of the crash and the impact, that rotation may or may not be problematic. And then, depending on how the rotational forces are introduced, a system like Leatt’s Turbines may or may not be able to address those forces.
So I guess my take away with the 360 Turbines, MIPS, 6D’s ODS, and Kali’s LDL is that they almost certainly work as advertised to reduce the effects of a rotational impact. But it’s not every crash where those features will come into play, so those features really work to improve safety in a fairly specific set of circumstances. What I don’t know, and can’t really say, is which of these systems works best. My hunch is that each system has a particular set of circumstances in which it’s superior. E.g. if your crash looks like “this,” then MIPS does the best job of minimizing the impact, but if it looks like “that” then the 360 Turbines do a better job. But given that this is 1) speculation, and 2) even if it’s true, I don’t know which system works best in which situation, and none of that really matters because 3) I don’t know what my next crash is going to look like.
So at the end of the day, I think these systems are worthwhile, and I’ll continue to buy helmets with some sort of technology for addressing rotational impacts. But I’ll also continue to ask the companies to release more (and better) test data on that subject so that we can all make a more informed decision.
Cheers,
Noah
Hi Noah,
I’m pleased you have the Enduro version to test.
I’ll really look forward to reading that piece.
Yeah, you’re right, nobody knows about real world crashes as against a rubbery surfaced test-form behaviour. Like you, I think some kind of rotational damping can’t be a bad thing as long as it doesn’t increase helmet size too much, or reduce foam thickness too much either..
This linked piece is pretty informative from helmets.org (The Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute). https://helmets.org/mips.htm
My original post was too ling, sorry – but DO you perhaps have any thoughts about my question about how those turbines might work in circumstances where the head isn’t filling up all the helmet (as it rarely does)?
As you’ve had a head inside the DH version of the helmet and now have the V3 too, I guess you can feel the ability to rotate once its on.
It’ll be interesting to read whether you feel the DBX 3 Enduro V2’s rear retention device / tensioner kinda “locks the head in” potentially reducing the effect of the turbines.
I saw that Giro’s rear retention device rotates WITH the MIPS liner part, i.e. separately from the helmet. Leatt’s doesn’t
I wrote
“there are almost always voids between the skull and the inside of a helmet, the internal pads just don’t touch everywhere, (unless you’re amazingly lucky I guess).
So. I’m wondering how effective those turbines are when/if they are not all touching the head.
On the DBX 3 the rear tensioner isn’t apparently part of the damped rotating mechanism as far as I can see (unlike Giro’s Montaro MIPS).”
Maybe your “money” will move from being on the 6D to the DBX 3 Enduro V2 for trail-rides.
Hey Noah
Happy Holidays
I wonder if you’ve any early thoughts on the DBX 3.0 Enduro hat?
I am thinking for general trail rides, then add the chin bar on uplift days.
I am definitely thinking to buy one, but really appreciate your take, so I’m waiting.
Really liked the DBX 6 review. Very thorough and informative.
Ps
in case its of interest, (I know that you like grippy tyres and its that time of year):
I am loving the Michelin Wild Mud 27.2 / 2.25 MAGI-X series Enduro F TL Ready 50A/52A – if you need a super grippy “not quite” spike. Grips and clears better that a Shorty. I have it on the rear for those inevitable sticky rooty climbs.
Lots of clay where I live.
Thanks man
And happy trails
Hey Noah
Hope you’re keeping well and getting some Sping riding in.
How are you liking the Leatt Enduro helmet?
I did try one and it fitted pretty well and felt very light but unfortunately I was scared off as the fitting (locating) tab in the chin piece snapped off 2nd time I replaced the chin bar (done very carefully on my lap, no forcing involved). Once snapped it revealed that those tabs aren’t at all sturdy, this one was apparently fitted to the chin bar by a bit of glue and a kind of rawlplug. Tough to know if it’s functional in a crash or just for location. If it’s vital to the integrity of the helmet it’s just not good enough I fear.
No feedback from the distributor when i returned it.
I’m gonna use a Giro Montaro MIPS for trails and maybe a DBX6 for heavier days.
Thanks for the informative review
N