The Leatt ADV Rally 5.5 kit is a complete rethinking by Leatt on what their Adventure riding kit should be, aimed at the more technical adventure rider looking to explore way off the beaten path. With their experience in Enduro gear and through working with athletes at events like the World Rally Raid Championships and Dakar, they have produced a riding jacket and pants combo for the performance focused Adventure rider.
With the new ADV Rally 5.5 riding gear Leatt tells us that they have “Focused on balance, combining modular safety options, really good heat management as well as the mobility needed for negotiating extreme technical and extreme adventure riding conditions.”
That’s a claim a lot of manufacturers make with varying degrees of success, so we asked what makes the Leatt ADV Rally 5.5 kit any different to those?
“Well, it is class A rated with CE level 1 protection, which means it meets all the rigorous safety standards making it safe for road use, because let’s face facts, the old 80/20 principle is a reality. We have to commute on tarmac further and further nowadays just to find a bit of decent dirt to go adventuring in with most of us spending at least 80% of our time on the tarmac and only about 20% of our time proper adventure riding. And as with most high end motorcycle kit manufacturers, safety is our number one priority.”
The ADV Rally 5.5 jacket features a modular body armour design, optimising protection from the back, along the shoulder and elbows, all made of CE Level 1 armour with the option to add a 3DF chest protector. All of these bits are easily removable and replaceable making it customisable to your specific needs as well as simplifying the washing process.
The ADV Rally 5.5’s party piece is the fact that the entire 3DF liners and pads can be replaced with alternative body protection options like the CE Level 2 Flex Mesh Pro or similar.
Leatt does however advise that changing the jacket from its original configuration is not CE approved or A-Rated, however the quick and easy swapping out of the modular protection and CE liners does allow the rider to adapt the levels of protection needed to suit each ride.
Lounging around a campfire at night, you may want protection from the night chill without the discomfort of all the armour which can be easily removed.
The jacket also features deflection panels on the shoulders and elbow, further enhancing against cuts and tears, and naturally, as with all Leatt wear, the ADV Rally 5-5 jacket is designed for full Leatt neck brace compatibility thanks to the ‘Brace On’ system and the thoracic tunnel.
“The ideology behind the Leatt ADV rally 5.5 jackets was to tackle varying weather conditions through layering rather than trying to achieve that with a single garment. Which allows for a lighter more performance focused construction and effective weather control.”
Proper heat control is also crucial, especially in SA summer heat when toiling through the rugged, technical countryside. The ADV Rally 5.5’s design incorporates features inspired by rally and enduro gear with zip off sleeves that detach below the shoulders and serve as vents that promote airflow through the jacket pushing the heat out through the exhaust vent on the back.
By placing the zip off point on the upper arm, Leatt were able to retain the CE level protection as the inner sleeve of the protection liner has the required abrasion resistance and protection levels to pass certification. Additionally, the main front zip has two zip up points, opening up a full torso length vent with extra ventilation at the armpits and the chest.
“The relaxed fit of the jacket enhances air circulation for hot weather and allows enough room to comfortably layer up when it gets colder. The inner liner body is made from ventilated mesh while the outer sleeves feature abrasion resistant rip stock.”
The fabric is coated with an eco-friendly DWRC0 to keep light showers at bay, and is not a fully laminated waterproof design, so if you know you’re going to be riding in the rain take along the appropriate wet weather gear to keep the wind and rain out.
Long, technical adventure rides under our African sun, summer or winter, hydration is a crucial safety feature. The Leatt ADV Rally 5.5 jacket features a 2 litre vertical hydration pocket on the back of the jacket complete with internal routing for all the plumbing and clips. The hydration bladder is suspended from a harness system which helps distribute weight evenly and reduces bouncing while you are riding.
“During the design process, rider comfort was a big consideration aiming to create a jacket you could wear all day without feeling restricted. Inspiration was drawn from high performance outdoor gear in conjunction with Leatts philosophy to specifically develop advanced materials for their tear and abrasion resistance and combine that with comfort.”
“The lightweight stretchy ripstop outer material allows for incredible mobility both while riding and during down time at camp. The material hangs comfortably around your body and the jacket features adjustable elements around the neck and body for a customisable fit to your preferences.” says Leatt.
The jacket has two large cargo pockets with magnetic closures for easy access as well as two fleece lined hand warmer pockets behind the cargo pockets for those chilly days. For extra storage there are two more chest pockets, and on the back a larger pocket with a zip for carrying large items like your rain suit or goggles.
“The Leatt ADV Rally 5.5 Pants were designed with the same considerations for the extreme adventure rider.Made for agility and durability, the ADV Rally 5.5 pants feature a rip-stop 4-way stretch construction to handle the toughest riding conditions. Despite their ruggedness, they are lightweight and comfortable, with breathable X-Flow mesh lining and large, one-handed thigh vents for airflow.”
The pants include CE level one 3DF protection for the hips and knees, with adjustable knee guards to fit riders of all heights. Their design also accommodates knee braces for extra protection. Reflective details improve visibility, and large cargo pockets ensure your gear is always accessible.
Like the jacket, the pants come with a 5-year warranty for peace of mind.