Q: How can I determine which is the correct size Leatt-Brace® for me? 
 
SIZE CHART
 
Q: What are the differences between the braces in the Leatt® range? 
 
RANGE CHART
 
Q: What kind of helmet can I use with a Leatt-Brace®? 
Answer: We suggest the purchase of a  D.O.T, Snell, ECE or other similar industry standard approved helmet, simply because we believe that a helmet built to a defined standard offers a more consistent guarantee of protection and performance. However, in practice, the Leatt-Brace® is designed to work with all full-face helmets, or a deep profile open face helmet that covers your ears.
 
Q: How does a helmet interface with a Leatt-Brace®? 
Answer: The interface between the helmet and the brace is an important aspect in our ‘Alternative Load Path Technology™’ (ALPT™). In the event of an accident, the first reaction of the head (and neck) is naturally to move out of the way of the applied force. This is an extremely effective method (provided by Mother Nature) of reducing the total amount of force transmitted to the neck. Thereafter, the ALPT™ offered by the Leatt-Brace® comes into play, effectively transferring significant force away from the neck safely to other body structures. Our braces are delivered with a user manual that simply explains the way to optimize the brace set up.
 
 
Q: How do I get the best fit for my Leatt-Brace®? 
Answer: Optimal brace fitment is achieved by selecting the correct combination of adjustment pins, thoracic strut angle and (for Club and Sport models) setting the height adjustable front and rear sections to a position that suits your body shape and the size, length and range of motion of your neck, as described in our user manual.
 
 
Q: How is the safety of the Leatt-Brace® qualified or quantified? 
Answer: In the European Union the GPX and Kart versions are certified in terms of Health & Safety requirements of directive 89/686/EEC that covers Personal Protective Equipment. The Leatt -Brace® is currently the only CE certified motorcycle neck protection system and able to display the CE mark.
During the certification process, because no standard exists in the EU against which to evaluate the performance of a neck brace, the Notifying Body was very cautious. It meant that we had to convince them that our design philosophy, manufacturing specification, quality processes and the extensive testing was appropriate and sufficient to back up the claims we make of our brace. Only then was a CE certificate awarded.
 
 
Q: Is there a third party organization that rates or approves this type of device? Are there any CPSC regulations or standards that must be met? 
Answer: Unfortunately in both the European Union and in the USA there is no standard against which the performance of unrestrained torso neck protective devices can be measured. Nor can we find any CPSC regulations or standards in the USA that apply to motorcycle neck braces. For this reason Leatt® is collaborating with the SFI Foundation in the USA to create what will become Standard SFI 57.1 that will cover these products.

Testing has formed an integral part of the research, prototyping and development of the Leatt-Brace®.
Initial formal testing was done at the SABS (Southern African Bureau of Standards) Land Mobility Technologies Laboratory and followed by extensive biomechanical pendulum testing at the BMW Accident Research Center in Munich, Germany. Results were meticulously combined with field studies by professional motorcyclists, bicycle riders and medical authorities and the ride and comfort of the brace was evaluated by KTM Factory Riders

In support of testing, the Leatt® Biomedical Division – the Leatt® - Lab – is well equipped with pendulum, dynamic and static test rigs, sophisticated simulation, modeling and finite element analysis software and a Hybrid III Anthropometric Test Dummy. Based on their in depth understanding, our biomedical engineers are able to develop the most sophisticated models that depict what happens in the neck during an accident and then evaluate new brace prototypes on the test dummy to determine their design effectiveness.
 
 
Q: Can I use the Leatt-Brace® with an airbag jacket?  
Answer: Leatt® highly recommends that you do not, in any circumstances, use the Leatt-Brace® in conjunction with any type of airbag jacket or vest. The use of both of these devises at the same time can lead to serious injuries.
 
 
Q: Can I use a Leatt-Brace® with a chest-protector? 
Answer: The Leatt-Brace® can be worn over a chest protector as long as it sits correctly on the shoulder, chest and the thoracic member areas. Installing the 20mm or 30mm (extra) pins might help in allowing the brace to fit comfortably over the chest protector. Using the strap system will help in stabilizing the brace. Any alterations that are not expressly authorized in the owner’s manual voids any warranty and may reduce or eliminate the protection afforded by the Leatt-Brace®.

Any reference to a third party product is not an endorsement by Leatt® Corporation.

From the User Manuals, which can be downloaded from the respective Product pages on our website www.leatt-brace.com; pages 7 and 8 of the Leatt® Moto GPX, and page 11 of the Leatt® ADVenture™ brace Users Manuals respectively; the best placement of the thoracic strut is directly up against the body, i.e. under the chest protector. The purpose of the thoracic strut is to prevent rotation of the Leatt-Brace®.

As Leatt®, we cannot endorse any third party products. There are several chest protectors which need no modifications.

Users of our products should refer to the manual accompanying their respective Leatt-Brace® product for information on permitted uses and features of our products.  Our website provides product profiles that highlight the difference between models.  Any conflict or ambiguity between the foregoing responses and the information in the product manual should be resolved by reference to the appropriate product manual(s).  Nothing contained herein is a warranty or guarantee, express or implied, with respect to our products.  Motorsport is an inherently dangerous activity and no protective product can prevent or lessen the consequences of every possible accident scenario, especially if the protective product is not used as designed or improperly.  Govern yourself accordingly.
 
Q: What is the best way to use a Leatt-Brace® with a pressure suit? 
Answer: The Leatt-Brace® should sit on the front member, shoulder wings and thoracic member. Any other arrangement may adversely impact the protection afforded by the Leatt-Brace®. We cannot provide any assurances with respect to use of third party protective gear with the Leatt-Brace® since the manner in which such third party gear is used or worn, and its condition, may significantly affect the function of the Leatt-Brace®. As for the touching of the helmet on the rear member of the brace, it is quite normal for there to be slight contact when tilting the head backwards.
 
Q: Is there a specific way to use the Leatt-Brace® with a Fox Launch Suit pressure suit?  
Answer: The Leatt-Brace® once set-up correctly should work with the majority of pressure/safety jackets, in the case of the Fox Launch Suit; it has been designed with a built-in-back protector that requires further fine tuning of the suit or brace depending on whether you want to run the thoracic member on the inside or on top of the back protector.

We recommend having the thoracic member on the inside of the suit, but in the case of the Fox Launch this may not be possible as the back protector shells and padding are not compatible with the thoracic member. The best option in connection with the Fox Launch would be to have the thoracic member placed on top of the back protector. This is accomplished by using the longer 20mm or 30mm pins and Leatt-Brace® strap system to keep the brace positioned on the shoulders and the thoracic lined up with the back protector.

As we cannot comment on your specific build and height you should take your pressure suit and brace to an authorised dealer and have that dealer set up the brace correctly to be as accommodating as possible.
 
Q: Can I use a Leatt-Brace® over a motorcycle jacket with integrated armour? 
Answer: The Leatt-Brace® can be worn over a chest protector as long as it sits correctly on the shoulder, chest and the thoracic member areas. Installing the 20mm or 30mm (extra) pins might help in allowing the brace to fit comfortably over the chest protector. Using the strap system will help in stabilizing the brace. Any alterations that are not expressly authorized in the owner’s manual voids any warranty and may reduce or eliminate the protection afforded by the Leatt-Brace®.
 
Q: Can I use the ADVenture™ brace for downhill mountain biking? Is the geometry the same as the GPX? 
  Answer: We have found that the ADVenture™ brace works well if your riding position is more upright.

The ADVenture™ brace has the same structural design and integrity as the tried and tested Club brace, but is lower in cost due to fewer adjustability options. We made the ADVenture™ more affordable by reducing the adjustability by replacing the front and rear upper and lower tables with a single front and single back table, which is fixed in a mid position. We also changed the rear thoracic strut adjustment mechanism and used a more affordable padding system.  Our policy is to never compromise safety for reduced pricing and we believe that the ADVenture™ is true to that policy.
A GPX (Club or Sport) brace has five major members or groups of assembled parts; front and rear, upper and lower members and a thoracic strut. The front and rear upper members, are located (are fitted) onto the lower front and rear members by means of a screw in an adjustment slot. An ADVenture™ brace can still be adjusted for size (like wearing protective gear) and the strut angle can also be adjusted. The ADVenture™ brace does not have separate upper and lower members. They are moulded as one unit and set in the mid-range position and thus less adjustment than Club or Sport. It is the basic model. This set position is still suitable for most riders who ride in the upright position, i.e. adventure/endurance bike riders and commuters
 
 Q: Why is the ADVenture™ brace cheaper? Will it break easier? 
Answer: The ADVenture™ brace has the same structural design and integrity as the tried and tested Moto GPX Club brace, but is lower in cost due to fewer adjustability options. We made the ADVenture™ more affordable by reducing the adjustability by replacing the front and rear upper and lower tables with a single front and single back table, which is fixed in a mid position. We also changed the rear thoracic strut adjustment mechanism and used a more affordable padding system. Our policy is to never compromise safety for reduced pricing and we believe that the ADVenture™ is true to that policy.
 
Q: Will the padding be removable from the ADVenture™ brace? 
Answer: The padding can be removed in accordance with the written instructions for cleaning, but the padding is intended to be used with the brace for added protection.  You should refer to and follow the instructions in the user manual for the Leatt-Brace®.
 
Q: Will the Leatt-Brace® ever become a compulsory protective device for competitive racing? 
Answer: Leatt® Corp. believes that its neck braces provide effective spinal (neck) protection to Motor Sport participants. As part of our future marketing efforts, we intend to lobby governments and industry associations and organizations to mandate use of our neck braces in Motor Sports.
 
Q: What is Leatt®’s opinion on competitive neck protection devices? 
Answer: At Leatt® Corporation we feel that the Leatt-Brace® is the only tried and tested neck protection device on offer in the motorcycle industry today.  Considering that the market place is made up of people desirous of protecting themselves against catastrophic neck injuries, consider the two key words above; tried - we have sold in excess of 200 000 Moto GPX neck braces, we run an active injury assessment on all injuries with the Leatt-Brace® in use, we can realistically retrieve information on and work together with various racing authorities to understand injury patterns before and post the advent of the Leatt-Brace®. Tested – Leatt® is the only company to freely publish their test data, and we are not aware of any other company that has actually conducted extensive rider surrogate testing to date and widely published the results. We have drafted a list of questions / technical data we believe important in evaluating a neck protection device for Motorcycle, ATV and Karting applications (unrestrained torso);
 
Q: What are the points I should look for in a good brace? Does a Leatt-Brace® meet all of these points? 
Answer:
• Was the device developed by Biomechanical Engineers and Medical Professionals? Leatt-Brace® - YES

• Does the device claim to reduce catastrophic neck injuries? Leatt-Brace® - YES

• Does the device act as a rigid alternative load path? Leatt-Brace® - YES

• Is the device shaped so as to limit helmet movement enough so that it can come into play as an alternative load path in the event of a loading force being applied to the neck? Leatt-Brace® - YES

• Does the rigid alternative load path yield at pre-determined anatomical loading forces so as not to produce further injuries? Leatt-Brace® - YES

• Is the device of the correct size and shape to prevent helmet projection over the device? Leatt-Brace® - YES

• Does the device have a padding, or other structure, that actively prevents the helmet from projecting over the device as well as cushioning the chin so as not to cause soft tissue trauma to the chin and other body structures in an impact? Leatt-Brace® - YES

• Is the device rigid enough to prevent injuries, remembering that a fulcrum action can produce more neck forces than no device and compression of a device can increase neck torque (bending moments)? Leatt-Brace® - YES

• Can the device be easily located inside of a chest protector and be stable enough not to open, say in the front, on a rearward helmet strike (hyperextension)? Leatt-Brace® - YES

• Can the device be opened and removed post fall, with a chest protector in place? Leatt-Brace® - YES

• Can the device be opened after force has been applied to the device, for example after an accident, or will the deviceís locking mechanism render the brace difficult to remove and can the device be removed from the front completely, to reach the riderís airway, with the rider lying on their back for immediate CPR (cardio pulmonary resuscitation) if required? Leatt-Brace® - YES

• Does the device offer adequate padding to protect the user’s soft tissue neck structures, as well as contain the devices rigid components if they fracture in an impact? Leatt-Brace® - YES

• Is the device adjustable to suit different anatomical body shapes and neck lengths? Leatt-Brace® - YES

• Will the device’s rearward upper table collapse after a direct fall onto the back to prevent the device from being pushed into the mid cervical spine? Leatt-Brace® - YES

• Does the device offer a collarbone (clavical) relief area that is padded and sculptured so as not to come into contact with a clavical during an impact? Leatt-Brace® - YES

• Has the device been proven to be comfortable over long and grueling rides? Leatt-Brace® - YES

While no protective gear can protect against all forces or impacts and prudence is always a key component of safety, we believe our brace is an effective safety device for specified impact or forces.
 
Q: There are a lot of manufacturers producing soft neck protection options and claiming these are better for the rider. Is the Leatt-Brace® too rigid? 
Answer: It is interesting to note that to date we are not aware of the companies producing any of these soft brace products publishing any independent test results proving their marketing claims. In accordance to our published research, one of the critical aspects for reducing neck forces is to create an effective alternative load path.  Our approach is that the more rigid the design, the lower the neck forces are. This of course needs to be balanced against other body structures so that the neck protection device doesn’t cause other injuries.  In keeping with our philosophy, Leatt-Brace® was designed to offer the most rigid alternative path possible, but it is designed to fail in a controlled manner before other body structures such as the sternum and thoracic spine fails.  When we began research and development, we extensively tested the complete and rigid systems and found the rigid system was the only system to reduce neck forces.  We believe soft foam collar designs increase and prolong neck force values (for instance, bending momentum torque).
 
Q: Other products sell for less than Leatt-Brace®? What is the difference? 
Answer: Leatt-Brace® is the product of years of research and development and is made from quality materials.  We believe it represents excellent value for the money.
 
Q: What kind of injuries does it prevent against? 
Answer: The Leatt-Brace® helps protect against the following extreme movements that could result in serious injury:
• Hyperflexion – over-bending of the head in a forward direction
• Hyperextension – over-bending of the head in a rearward direction
• Lateral Hyperflexion – over-bending of the head to one side
• Posterior Hypertranslation – extreme movement of head and helmet, rearward on the neck
• Vertical Forces – induced axial loading forces transmitted vertically down the neck causing spinal column compression or tension.
 
Q: Does the Leatt absorb energy, or redirect the energy of the fall? 
  Answer: The Leatt - Brace® does both. Alternative Load Path Technology™ helps reduce forces on the spine by redirecting and dispersing energy away from critical areas during impact. The design of the Moto GPX ensures that the head is decelerated in a controlled way so as to limit sudden deceleration forces on the brain, where the head is “stopped early” therefore reducing relative brain/head motion. The brace acts as a physical constraint through which an alternative load path can be developed providing an optimized combination of rigid motion limitation and deceleration through absorption. This principle is pivotal to the Leatt-Brace® design and a world first.
In other words, if the head and neck are subjected to a force, and you can mitigate that force somehow, in the neck, and transfer that energy elsewhere – you may be able to mitigate the incidence of neck injury.

In the design of the brace – both front and back – are biomechanical zones where the brace will flex to a point absorbing energy, offering a resilient surface to work as an alternative load path, and thereafter it will give. These zones are designed to yield well before anatomical structures such as the sternum and the thoracic spine are at risk of damage.
 
Q: What happens if/when my chin hits the brace? 
Answer: The Leatt-Brace® has been specifically designed in such a way that the front platform limits extreme neck extension by bringing the head to a controlled stop against the helmet rim, chin and brace upper members. The brace itself has sufficient padding to decrease the chances of concussion in the case of an impact to the chin.  No safety device can protect against every possible situation, provide stated protection if worn improperly or modified by the rider or others, or against reckless behavior.
 
Q: Can I use a Leatt-Brace® if I have sustained previous injuries affecting my neck and/or spine? 
Answer: We cannot provide advice in cases of pre-existing medial conditions for a number of reasons. You should consult a qualified physician about the appropriate protection. We suggest you take the product information from our website to your physician consult.
 
Q: Does the Leatt-Brace® cause collarbone injuries? 
Answer: Clavicle fractures (collar bone injuries) are approximately 50 times more likely than  cervical spine fractures in Motocross and Supercross. We should expect to see 50 times more clavicle fractures than Cervical Spin Fractures. This data is based on the last 5 years of The American Motorcycle Association (AMA) injury results. Clavicle fractures usually occur in three ways, namely; i) a fall onto an outstretched arm, transmitting the force up the arm to the clavicle,  ii) a direct fall onto the shoulder, transmitting force to the clavicle, or iii) helmet rim striking the clavicle in a fall with lateral flexion of the head/neck. The Leatt-Brace® is designed to limit this type of clavicle fracture by protecting the clavicle from the helmet rim as the clavicle passes inside of the designed Clavicle Relief Area on the underside of the Leatt-Brace®. It is important to remember that with the Leatt-Brace® on, the arm/shoulder can be abducted (lifted up) all the way without the Leatt-Brace® Clavicle Relief Area coming into contact with the clavicle, and preventing or reducing a bending force on the clavicle around the Leatt-Brace®.
 
Q: Can a Leatt® GPX brace be used in a harnessed seat? 
Answer: No.