Convertible Helmet Review | Leatt 4.0 MTB Enduro Helmet
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- Опубліковано 2 лип 2024
- Convertible helmets have been around for some time now, offering versatility and convenience for many riders who don’t want to take two helmets around with them, or despise climbing in a full-face helmet. However, it’s safe to say that many convertible helmets come with a level of compromise, be it the looks, comfort, or ventilation. Leatt hoped to change that with their MTB Enduro 4.0 convertible helmet, a Downhill certified lid that is packed with features to tick both a trail rider and enduro racers boxes. As a big fan of breathable full-faces I was yet to be sold on the benefits of a convertible lid, but I love to be proven wrong when it comes to reviewing products, so was excited to put one to the test in the Scottish Winter.
THE DIRT
I’m a huge fan of a breathable full-face helmet for my general aggressive trail through to enduro riding but had yet to find a convertible helmet that I was stoked to wear. I’m pleased to report that Leatt’s MTB Enduro 4.0 convertible helmet is the lid that changes that - it’s really good, though not without some niggles.
Getting the fit dialed in proved to be an easy task as the slightly thicker stock pads worked well for my 56cm head in a medium shell. The dial adjuster in the back has a good range and nice level of sensitivity to the adjustment increments, letting me cinch the helmet down to a comfortable and secure level easily. The band can slide between three positions to fit different shaped heads, which also aids removing the helmet as it can be moved out of the way. With that taking all of 10 seconds, a quick clip of the Fidlock dial and tug to tighten the chin strap had me ready to hit the trails.
I did the obligatory removal and re-fit of the chin bar when new to test how intuitive it was and get some feeling for how to do it out on the trail. Removal couldn’t be simpler - you undo the latch, pop the jaw out directly sideways, then just pull forwards. Fitting it back in is quite tricky when on the head, as you need to align two small tabs into the half-shell, which you can’t see unless you look in a mirror. It occasionally went back together easily, but for the most part I took the helmet off my head to re-fit and prevent any hair trapping incidents. When off the head it’s still a little awkward, but far from unmanageable once you figure out the motion. It has a reassuringly solid “snap” when you close the latches properly, letting you know it’s locked and loaded and ready to drop in.
With the most DH-focused setup, climbing with the chin bar and mouth grill fitted wasn’t as bad as many dedicated downhill helmets thanks to some reasonable airflow, but the claustrophobic “hot breath” sensation presented itself as effort levels began to rise. Popping out the grill made an instant difference, letting air flow through much more freely and putting it into the same realm as Fox’s Proframe. Instantly the Scottish slop began to find its way into my mouth on the descents without it though, so I chose to spend most of the test with it fitted. Popping it back in isn’t the easiest task and led to one of the 4 tabs snapping off after about 8 re-fits, but the sub-zero temperatures may have been to blame for a bit of embrittlement of the plastic.
The full-face setup offers the reassuring feeling of a downhill lid, with that same solid feeling on the head and the burly chin bar appearing ready to take a beating. The helmet looks aggressive and purposeful, conjuring up reassuring notions of safety. Thanks to the retention system, pulling the helmet on and off isn’t as tight and uncomfortable as a full-time full-face can often be, which is always good for the days you’re going in and out of the helmet often. The need to take the helmet off may be reduced compared with some downhill lids, as the ventilation is generally very good, save for a bit of excess heat around the ears. The brow vents do a good job of sucking in air and channeling it over your head, keeping things decently cool. It’s not the most breathable helmet out there, but in the beefed-up enduro helmet realm it does a good job at moving air.
Keep Reading the Review here:
Get the 4.0 Enduro Helmet Here: alnk.to/d3x97pl
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Visit Leatt's Website: leatt.com/us/shop/mtb/protect...
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:19 The Basics
1:04 Tech and Features
8:54 The Review
11:58 Final Word
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Started riding this helmet about 2 months ago and I'm very impressed! Hands down the best looking convertible helmet on the market!
Best looking or best working?
I look like a dummy in my bell convertible.
@@thematthewsextonshow I'd say both! Most of my friends think it's a normal dh full face till I take the chin bar off. Most are very surprised it is convertible!
@@thematthewsextonshow I agree the bell convertibles definitely aren't the cleanest looking. Or the most comfortable
@@SouthernSender Hi, any comments on how's the helmet after a year of riding? :) Just considering buying one, thx!
@@SimpleSouls Still have and still love it!
I've got the non-convertible 4.0 helmet and love it, the fit is awesome. I'm skeptical of the removable chin bar helmets though, I have a SwitchBlade (great as a 3/4 shell this time of year) but when that needs replacing I'll be getting a dedicated full-face. Too many horror stories out there of the chin-bar breaking off.
13+ min video and doesn't once demo how the main feature, the removable chin bar, works.
Hit the side switched from lock to unlock and pull out
Just got my kids 7and 4 yo the Enduro 3.0 because it has ear port holes for them to (selectively) hear me on the trails and Fidlock strap The love it!
I own this helmet in black. I can confirm it’s a great fit and light weight. For bike park days I throw on the chin bar and all other pedally type days I stay in open face. It’s a bit finicky to put the chin bar back on and I’ve tried to do a longer ride with the chin bar on and felt like it was really hard to breathe. So I don’t recommend longer rides with the chin bar.
I got the same one, honestly I have just been leaving the chin bar on almost all the time. Don't have any problems breathing with it. Do seem to go through my camelbak faster with it than my old open face helmet though.
Hey Jonathan, we found it significantly easier to breathe with the grill removed from the mouthpiece - did you try that?
@@TheLoamWolf I haven’t tried that yet but maybe I will!
@@jonathan.lastra hey mate, may I ask how's the helmet after riding with it for a while now? Does it a good job at protecting you? I am considering one but even in spite of the DH certification I am a bit worried the chin bar will just snap off and I'll break my face. Thanks!
@@SimpleSouls the helmet is still going strong! Thankfully I’ve not had any crashes with it but I have no doubts about the strength of the chin bar.
Thanks so much for the video. Funny enough I ordered the black version of this helmet just a couple of hours after this video posted. I had searched and searched for good video reviews but none I found had really given me full confidence in what looks like the perfect balance for my riding. I’m a little older but I like to push local trails as hard as I can. I also want to start going to some local bike parks. This helmet will hopefully be perfect for what I need to do and not too bad in the North Carolina summer. I’ll post back once I have some miles on it.
Awesome to hear and thanks for sharing.
hey mate, may I ask how's the helmet after riding with it for a while now? Does it a good job at protecting you? I am considering one but even in spite of the DH certification I am a bit worried the chin bar will just snap off and I'll break my face. Thanks!
I remember riding DH in a motorcycle helmet. What a change
It's a good time to be a mountain biker, isn't it?
4:53 wird they removed the side grill, and no mesh on the head, so I would get insets in the hair. i think I will stick with the Gravity 1.0 DH. But the visor is too short on it.
Damn, did he memorise all that?
Hi, you dont talk about the size of the helmet and your head and the fitting ?
I have bought this helmet in M, i have a 57cm head, but returned it because my head wasnt touching the helmet...
Robert tested the helmet in the Medium with a 56cm head (and a lot of hair), and it was perfect. We'd always recommend trying a helmet on first as they're so specific to your head - this Leatt seems very average in shape and size though.
@@TheLoamWolf just received the S. Definitely more snug. Have to swap the cheek foam for the souple. Have a little pressure point on my head. But no gap between my front head and the helmet. I think it will be safer.
Also my head is 56cm no 57.
This or Met Parachute MCR Mips?
I should wear one, but I feel like a wobble head in a full face, or even a heavier open face.
Need to get on those neck exercises! We've built our muscles up after years of head bouncing on flat landings and rocking out haha.
Out of curiosity, do EWS riders use convertible fullface helmets?
Depends on the rider and their personal preference...
tiny visor?
This dude moves his hands and arms a LOT!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rob's still trying to get comfortable in front of the camera. He'll get there eventually.
@@TheLoamWolf I'm not complaining...He is doing a great job...That's the only thing I noticed
dude.. thanks for the video but.. close shots of the helmet???
Thanks, check the website for pictures but we’ll work on adding more close up video shots in future video!
So not a single shot of it being worn in its half shell mode in amongst all the waffle 🙄
The only problem with this kind of helmet is that they don't work at all as a full face helmet. I have seen several helmets with the chin part just broken right off. 2 of them resulted in hospital with broken jaw. Just get a proper helmet if you do steep rough stuff.
You're absolutely correct that if you'd be primarily wearing this as a full-face, just get a proper full-face; they're noticably cheaper, inherently more reliable, and they're generally a little more comfortable. You've also pointed out an important detail for someone to look for if they want a convertible helmet; is it DH rated?
I know that I would trust this specific model in a bad crash, because it is DH rated in full-face mode. By comparison, most older and/or cheaper convertible helmets (including Leatt's own 3.0 Enduro helmet, and every Bell convertible helmet except the Super DH) are not DH rated, and are therefore much more likely to fail as you described.
@@gpearce11 The Giro Switchblade is DH rated, and the chin part of the helmet still broke off (I have seen 2 cases of this, one of which ended in broken jaw and hospital). It is a heavy helmet with the chin reinforced with metal. It still did not save the mans face.
I am of the impression that these convertible helmets serve as little more than false sense of security, as they don't help much in an actual crash. The argument that it's better than no chin at all if the alternative is just that - I am actually not sure that is true. I'd probably rather go with a helmet like the Fox Dropframe if you don't want the chin or Proframe if you want a highly ventilated light helmet with chin or similar offering from one of the many other companies.
@@TeamCykelhold I used to think DH rated was just for the chinbar.
But I was wrong.
DH rated is for the whole Helmet..front rear, sides and top.
Perfect example of a strong helmet that lacks DH due to this fact
Kali invader 2.0
Full face with a super strong chin bar
It didnt get a DH rating due to too many vents in the rear of the Helmet..
With that said, upcoming 3.0 will be DH rated, possibly even NTA 8776 rated
Id take an invader 2.0 vs any convertible did to the fact that you mentioned
@@PghMtbRides Yeah the DH rating is somewhat arbitrary and doesn't seem to cover all important aspects, just some. The DH rating on the Giro Switchblade was only obtained because the chin mount is reinforced with steel, but in reality it does not hold up to a crash because the mechanism that holds it in place is incased in plastic that does not handle a crash, so even though the steel part holds, the chin folds because of the plastic construction. That altered my stance on the whole "DH Rated" claim. I'd rather have an invader 2.0 than any helmet with removable chin too, just like you.
@@gpearce11 That's the reason I waited months for stock to come back in, the DH rating on this. The way it secures compared to the 3.0 just seem a lot more secure.
Anyone got any tips for cleaning the straps on this helmet? I can remove the pads and throw them in the washer, but not the straps, and they're getting S T I N K Y Y Y Y Y
You get some fabric cleaning sprays that can work pretty good
@@TheLoamWolf ill check that out. Thanks!
You lost me at 280 sorry
Can you give me one?
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
J.K
dude didn’t even show how it looks as a half face helmet. 🤦♂️