New Gear, New Tricks
There is something rather satisfying about putting on a fresh set of race kit before heading out to the dirt. Everything feels new, tight and ready for battle.
“Better grip on the bike. More ventilation. Less weight. More freedom of movement. Better durability around knee braces.”
For 2027, Leatt has given its 5.5 Racewear a proper rethink, concentrating on the things that matter when you’re actually riding: movement, ventilation, durability and, perhaps most importantly, keeping you connected to the bike.
And there is some clever stuff going on here.
The Pants – Goodbye Leather, Hello HeatGrip™
The big talking point with the new 5.5 I.K.S Pants is something you might not immediately notice, Leatt has moved away from the traditional leather inner-knee panels and introduced its new HeatGrip™ material.
The new material is designed to give riders increased grip against the bike in both wet and dry conditions while, they say, also offering excellent durability. It is backed with aramid for added strength an unlike leather, is designed to be easy to maintain.
The pants themselves have been built around movement. Leatt uses a five-panel, 3D anatomical construction with four-way stretch material, allowing the pants to move with the rider rather than fighting against you when you’re hanging off the back of the bike, squeezing the tank or attacking a corner.
There are also 250 precision laser-cut ventilation perforations, helping get air moving through the pants when things start getting properly sweaty.
Leatt has also developed inner I.K.S construction with knee-brace wear in mind, helping reduce the wear and tear that can happen where your braces constantly rub against the pants. Add the 360° Hypalon Waistlock, which helps keep the pants securely in position and your jersey tucked in, and you have a set of race pants designed with the realities of riding in mind.
And at approximately 660 grams for a size Large, they’re not exactly carrying a lot of unnecessary baggage either.
The Jersey – Less Is More
The matching 5.5 UltraWeld Jersey follows much the same philosophy: Remove what doesn’t need to be there and make what remains work harder.
Leatt has somehow managed to make the new jersey 10% lighter than its predecessor, while using a three-panel construction with four-way stretch material and a semi-compression race fit.
Jersey ventilation also gets plenty of attention, with 238 precision laser-cut ventilation perforations, breathable mesh sections and a cooling treatment designed to help keep things a little more bearable when the temperature climbs.
One of the details we particularly like is the no-collar design. It keeps things clean around the neck and is designed to work comfortably whether you’re riding with a neck brace or without one.
The result is a jersey that is designed to move with you.
Built For The Dirt
What makes the new 2027 5.5 Racewear interesting is that Leatt hasn’t simply changed the colours and called it a new range. The company has gone after the small details that can make a difference during a race or a hard day’s riding.
Better grip on the bike. More ventilation. Less weight. More freedom of movement. Better durability around knee braces.
And let’s be honest, you’ll looking damn good while you’re at it!
The new Leatt 2027 5.5 Racewear brings some genuinely interesting changes to one of the company’s premium raceware ranges. The HeatGrip™ inner knee material is probably the feature that will get riders talking, but it’s the combination of all these little improvements that could make the biggest difference once the gate drops.
Now all you need is a perfectly prepared bike, a freshly groomed track and enough energy left in the tank to actually make the most of the new kit.
Good luck with that last one.
