It all began in 2004 with a groundbreaking protective product: the Leatt-Brace.
Fast forward to today, and Leatt has become a force in mountain biking and extreme motorsports protection.
After witnessing the heartbreaking loss of a fellow motocross racer, Dr. Chris Leatt, a neurosurgeon in training and a passionate rider, saw the urgent need for a neck brace to guard against common neck injuries. Over the next three years, Dr. Leatt developed a rough prototype designed to work with a helmet to provide significant neck protection.
Founder Dr. Chris Leatt says, “For the past 20 years, it’s been incredibly rewarding to know that our passion and products have revolved around saving lives.”
This was the humble beginning of our brand. The award-winning Leatt-Brace not only defined the category but also revolutionized neck protection. As more riders embraced the brace, neck injuries declined.
A ten-year independent study by Great Lakes EMS Inc. showed the effectiveness of wearing a neckbrace: Without one, neck injuries were 89% more likely, death from a cervical spinal injury was 69%more likely, non-fatal cervical spinal injuries were 75% more likely, and collarbone fractures were 45%more likely.
Link to study: https://www.actionsportsems.com/case-study-neck-brace
“These studies back up what we’ve seen in our testing-and validate the importance of riding with a neck brace,” Dr. Leatt shares. “It’s incredibly fulfilling and a huge point of pride to see my life’s work making such a real difference.”
Expanding the Product Line and building on the success of the Leatt neckbrace, Leatt expanded the range to include helmets, body armour, knee braces, elbow guards, hydration systems and apparel.
By 2025, there will be more than 430 different Leatt products across three line categories. Today, Leatt designs comprehensive head-to-toe protection for all kinds of riders: Mountain Bikers, Motocross, enduro and Adventure riders.
“Our commitment to ongoing research, development, and testing happens at the Leatt Lab in Cape Town,South Africa.”
“Here, products are meticulously designed and rigorously tested. The result is high-performance protective gear for both pros and casual riders. We collaborate directly with pro athletes, using their feedback in our R&D efforts to ensure every product is state of the art”
Dr. Leatt notes, “Our mission revolves around saving lives and preventing injuries, and with this core of our vision, we’ve attracted some of the smartest minds in the industry.”
“As a cross-country rider myself, I’m thrilled to see our endurance line grow. But look out for new product categories. We’re constantly innovating as technology advances. We’re exploring what’s needed in different sports, and we have some exciting new stuff coming. Stay tuned!”
