It began in 2004 with a groundbreaking protective product: the Leatt-Brace. Fast forward to today, and Leatt has become a top name in motocross, mountain biking and extreme motorsports protection.
Founder Dr. Chris Leatt says: "For the past 20 years, it's been incredibly rewarding to know our passion and products have revolved around saving lives." After witnessing the heartbreaking loss of a fellow motocross racer, Dr. 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. This was the beginning of the Leatt brand and the award-winning Leatt-Brace "not only defined the category, but also revolutionised 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 neck brace: 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.
“These studies back up what we’ve seen in our testing - and validate the importance of riding with a neck brace,” Dr. Leatt states. “It's incredibly fulfilling and a huge point of pride to see my life’s work making such a real difference.”
Building on the success of the Leatt neck brace, the range has expanded to include helmets, body armour, knee braces, elbow guards, hydration systems and apparel. By 2025, there will be over 430 different Leatt products across three different line categories - offering "comprehensive head-to-toe protection for all kinds of riders: motocross, adventure moto riders and mountain bikers.
"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.
“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.”
