First Look: Leatt Gravity 6.0 Carbon Helmet and Velocity 4.0 X-Flow Goggles 1

After a mid-year release of their unique Enduro 3.0 helmet that utilized a 3-in-1 modular design, Leatt has opened the floodgates with the release of their 2024 MTB line. Featuring new products in nearly every category, including a brand-new endurance line for XC and gravel riders, the head-to-toe catalog is filled with fresh styles and clever designs. Check out the entire 2024 lineup HERE. 

Two products that spiked our interest were the Gravity 6.0 Carbon full-face helmet and the Velocity 4.0 X-Flow goggles. With a shared focus on breathability and versatility, the Gravity 6.0 offers premium protection in a DH-certified, lightweight package, while the X-Flow's progressive design aims to bridge the gap between conventional goggles and performance sunglasses. 

Gravity 6.0 Carbon Helmet

• M-Forge carbon shell with composite chin bar
• 360° Turbine Technology
• In-molded EPS and EPO foam
• Certifications: AS/NZS 2063:2008, EN1078, CPSC 1203, ASTM F1952–10
• Fixed visor with breakaway function to reduce rotational impact force
• 22 vents
• Removable mouthpiece vent cover
• Dri-Lex moisture-wicking, anti-odor, washable liner
• Optimized neckbrace compatibility
• D-Ring buckle
• Four sizes (55-56cm, 57-58cm, 59-60cm, 61-62cm)
• Three colorways
• Weight (size large): 975 grams
• MSRP: $379.99 USD

The Gravity 6.0 is Leatt's new flagship full-face helmet for enduro, e-bike, and bike park riders looking for a light, breathable helmet. Based on the same silhouette of the Gravity 4.0 helmet, the Gravity 6.0 features an M-Forge carbon shell with a composite chin bar. M-Forge carbon makes the Gravity 6.0 ~100 grams lighter than its predecessor, and the carbon is engineered to be less brittle and more flexible to prolong helmet life and increase protection. Comparing the Gravity 6.0 to Leatt's highest-end Gravity 8.0, the main differences are the 8.0 uses four foam densities, carries a motorcycle impact certification, has emergency removal cheek pads, and weighs ~300 grams more.

Twenty-two vents spread throughout the shell pull in fresh air and exhaust heat, while the liner inside does not block any vents, ensuring maximum airflow.  

Inside the helmet can be found Leatt's signature 360 ̊ Turbine Technology, along with in-molded dual-density EPS and EPO foam. Used in all Leatt helmets, the small blue Turbine discs are made from an energy-absorbing material. Their purpose is to reduce rotational acceleration to the head and absorb energy during a crash. Leatt states that 360 ̊ Turbine Technology can reduce peak brain acceleration by up to 30% at forces that cause concussions and reduce rotational acceleration by up to 40%. The visor also has a breakaway function to further reduce rotational force during an impact. 

A moto-style (meaning one-piece), moisture-wicking, anti-odor Dri-Lex linear provides a comfortable, all-encompassing fit. The liner and cheek pads are also easily removed and washable. Unlike the Gravity 4.0, which uses a Fidlock closure system, the Gravity 6.0 uses a traditional D-ring buckle.   

The Gravity 6.0 is available in four sizes, three colorways, and retails for $379.99.  

Velocity 4.0 X-Flow Goggle

• Unique open lower frame design
• Foam-free top vents
• Bulletproof RideViz MTB lens (same lens for all models)
• Anti-fog and scratch-resistant coating on lens
• 50mm anti-slip mesh strap to prevent blocking helmet vents
• Over-the-glasses (OTG) compatible
• Dual-layer face foam
• MSRP: $70 USD Clear lens // $90 Mirror/Iriz lens

The Velocity goggles represent Leatt's constant drive to develop outside-the-box, never-before-seen products. Featuring a wild open-frame design with foam-free vents, the 4.0 X-Flow goggles are intended to blend the protection, coverage, and fit of goggles with the airy, unrestricted feel of sunglasses. 

Instead of the face foam following the entire perimeter of the lens and fully sealing your eyes off from the elements, the bottom foam has been removed. The frame still holds the lens at the bottom, but when worn, there is a gap between your cheeks and the lower edge of the frame. The only contact the goggles make with your face is the foam on the nose and around the edge of your forehead. In theory, this open design should greatly lessen the chance of fogging the lens, and in the event something gets inside your goggles, it can easily fall out the bottom. 

Undoubtedly a wild and slightly polarizing design, the 4.0 X-Flow goggles feature the same bulletproof RideViz lens used in all Leatt goggles, along with a 50mm anti-slip mesh strap. 

Gravity 6.0 Carbon Helmet Impressions 

My first thought when I got my hands on the new Gravity 6.0 was that Leatt nailed the aesthetic of the outer shell. The visor length was balanced and proportional to the chin bar; the edges and lines created by the side details gave the overall shape a slender profile, and the colorway was eye-catching without being obnoxious. I have to tip my hat to those whipping-up designs at Leatt because the last few seasons have been great.  

I wear a medium helmet about 95% of the time, but I tested a size large (59-60cm) Gravity 6.0. It could be because my luscious locks are becoming a force to be reckoned with, but it's more likely that sizing runs a tad small. For comparison, I wear a size medium Bell Full-10 Spherical that fits 55-57cm heads. Luckily, I was able to try on a medium and large back-to-back, so if you can, seek out a Leatt dealer to try on the Gravity 6.0. 

Once slipped over my noggin and out on the trails, the fit of the Gravity 6.0 was great, providing a snug, even fit around my head without causing pressure points or squeezing my cheeks. The padded liner is on the thicker side, which gives the helmet some additional compression to mold to your dome. Looking out through the helmet, the chin bar stuck out far enough not to hinder my breathing when sucking in air on climbs but was short enough not to affect my field of view descending. The same goes for the fixed visor. I never move my visor, so as long as it isn't obstructing my view and looks proportionate with the rest of the helmet, I don't mind that it's not adjustable. I could only see the tip of the visor in the Gravity 6.0, which wasn't enough to bother me riding.

I tested the Gravity 6.0 during an exceptionally hot Fall in San Diego. Opting to wear the helmet on enduro and e-bike rides during sunny, 80-degree weather proved to be a sweaty endeavor. That said, the Gravity 6.0 did an adequate job keeping me from overheating on climbs. It wasn't as airy or breathable as lightweight enduro helmets I've worn, but it kept me much cooler than most downhill helmets. Once flowing back downhill, the helmet offered a solid, confidence-inspiring feel. While its ability to exhaust heat on the climbs made me think the Gravity 6.0 was aiming to be yet another enduro-focused helmet, the security and confidence it provided on descents slotted it firmly into the downhill full-face helmet category. No questions asked. A huge part of this was the soft liner and D-ring buckle that offered a more definite fit than helmets with a ratcheting adjuster.  

Luckily, I never had to test the abilities of the Turbine Technology to mitigate forces during a slam. For anyone questioning the safety of the Gravity 6.0, it passes all current safety standards, and more info about Leatt's helmet tech can be found on their website. 

What's The Bottom Line?

The Gravity 6.0 Carbon is a welcomed addition to Leatt's helmet line for riders wanting a carbon downhill helmet with most of the bells and whistles as top-tier models at a friendlier price point. Effectively balancing breathability with well-rounded coverage in a lightweight package, the Gravity 6.0 is an excellent option for descent-focused riders looking for a helmet they can pedal in all week and bang out shuttle or park laps on the weekend. 

Velocity 4.0 X-Flow Goggle Impressions 

The Velocity 4.0 X-Flow goggles are one of those products that few were asking for, but many will be surprised by their functionality. When Leatt first pulled out the goggles, I let out a chuckle of slight disbelief. Really? No lower foam or upper vent foam? Well, one of my favorite parts of my job is eating my own words, and despite judging the X-Flow goggles as part gimmick, they've proved to be a very useful piece of eyewear when pedaling in a full face.  

I'm a big-time sweater. Sometimes to a degree that feels unhealthy. With that has always come the ability to fog goggle lenses regardless of anti-fog treatment, helmet compatibility, or weather. So when I was 15 minutes into a tough climb and had yet to fog the X-Flow goggles, the performance of the open-air design began to set in. There is no denying that the design increases airflow a ton compared to regular goggles. Compared to riding glasses, they did cause my face to heat up more and lessened my field of view slightly, but neither of those downsides outweighed the added eye protection of having a full-coverage lens. I'm also someone who refuses to wear glasses in a full-face helmet, so the X-Flow goggles were a great solution to my style-conscious lifestyle. I was weary of sucking in dirt or dust into the goggles but never had any issues during testing. Compared to riding glasses, the X-Flow goggles have a tighter fit around more of the lens, providing fewer opportunities for debris to get inside the goggles despite the large bottom openings. 

The only downside of the goggles was the fit. There are a few factors at play with how goggles sit on each of our faces, but looking at the dimensions of the X-Flow goggles, the size of the nose piece foam, and the distance between the brow of the goggles and the nose pad was too big for my face. When I wore the goggles where they felt most comfortable and natural, the foam was up against the crease of my eyes, my helmet was rotated back on my head, and the chin bar sat higher in my field of view. When I would pull my helmet down where I wanted, the goggles would slide down my face, and the nose pad would squeeze the tip of my nose. I tested the X-Flow goggles most with the new Gravity 6.0 helmet but also tried them on with a few other helmets, experiencing the same issue at varying degrees. I still plan to use the goggles moving forward, but only with helmets that require the least fitment compromise.

What's The Bottom Line?

The Velocity 4.0 X-Flow goggles look unlike anything that's come before it but offer numerous performance benefits that are tough to achieve with other eyewear. If you are someone who pedals in a full-face helmet and is tired of deciding between goggles or sunglasses, this could be your ticket to fog-free riding. Yes, added vents and openings increase the odds of dirt getting in your eyes, but unless you live somewhere super muddy or dusty, the odds are low. The X-Flow goggles provide the same protective field of view as other goggles but with noticeably better breathability, making them more wearable throughout the course of a ride. 

For more information about the Gravity 6.0 helmet or the Velocity 4.0 X-Flow goggles, please visit leatt.com