Each year since 2020 we have seen the Leatt brand appear in our annual South African Mountain Biking Survey – growing steadily. From its Moto roots, to gravity mountain biking and now endurance mountain biking and gravel, this progressive South African brand is on the charge.
Paid partnership with Leatt
You can be forgiven for not knowing that Leatt is a South African brand. Leatt clothing, gear and protective wear is worn by some of the world’s highest profile mountain bike racers. Although we seem to be reaching a point where South African success doesn’t really surprise us anymore, it’s still quite special to see a South African brand succeeding at the highest level.
It all started more than two decades ago when Cape Town motor bike racer, Chris Leatt, set about finding a way to prevent neck and spinal injuries in motorbike falls. He established Leatt in 2005 after designing and manufacturing a neck brace that became indispensable to motorbike racers around the world. Leatt added various protective gear items to the Leatt Moto stable after that and then added helmets and apparel.
The first Leatt product in mountain biking, was also the Leatt neck brace, added in 2010 and from then on, the brand committed completely, designing more and more gravity mountain biking shoes, protective gear and apparel.
Here’s a video describing how the Leatt brand was founded. It’s an inspirational story.
After earning trust as a world-class brand in the high-risk world of gravity mountain biking, Leatt chose to expand into endurance mountain biking and gravel. You may recall that Leatt is one of the primary sponsors of the Orbea Leatt Speed Company Racing team, winners of the 2022 Absa Cape Epic as well as numerous other international stage races.
This significant investment gave Leatt immediate and global exposure as well as credibility among the endurance racing market. If the helmets, gloves, shoes and clothing are good enough for Lukas Baum and Georg Egger, they’re good enough for everyone that’s committed to endurance racing, be it marathons, ultra-marathons, stage races or gravel races.
Here’s a video where Darkfest riders see how the Leatt helmets are tested.
Leatt has collaborated with the German duo, who race year-round at a variety of high-profile events to work on the development and design of both helmets and shoes. Leatt gets access to their honest feedback in their quest for the highest performance under pressure to ensure the products offer the best balance of light weight, efficiency, comfort and safety.
“Leatt has achieved significant progress in terms of our range of products both internationally and in South Africa in the mountain bike gravity segment. Since 2021 Leatt has been investing in creating the best quality gear and clothing for the endurance market where we have been able to innovate with our own designers and engineers,” said Martin Prest, Leatt MTB Sales and Brand Manager – Africa.
“Leatt is now an established international brand. Our pay-off line is ‘The Science of Thrill’ and we’re constantly innovating to deliver the best products that enhance the mountain biking experience. Earlier this year we launched our first hard parts for mountain biking, including pedals, stems, handlebars and grips. Our lightest components are made with CERAMag a patented blend of Ceramic coating and Magnesium Alloy for the optimal strength and light weight combination. But unlike carbon, which is unrelenting, CERAMag also offers a damping effect,” added Prest.
LEATT ENDURANCE
With endurance mountain biking the largest sector in South Africa, Leatt’s Endurance Range has already been well received. From jerseys, to bib-shorts, helmets, gloves, shoes and socks, the Leatt Endurance Range is designed to deliver optimal comfort and efficiency, while also looking stylish.
LEATT APPAREL
The Leatt Apparel range, which caters for both endurance and gravity segments, includes gloves, jerseys, bib-shorts, baggy shorts, liners, pants, ride kits, jackets, gilets and socks.
LEAT COMPONENTS
The Leatt Components range, which is currently predominantly mountain bike focused, includes grips, handlebars, flat pedals, cleat pedals and stems.
LEATT HELMETS
With its roots in adrenaline-sport athlete protection, Leatt’s helmet range not only meets, but exceeds all international safety standards. It includes some unique design features, including the 3-in-1 Enduro and technology such as 360° Turbine Technology and offers a three-year warranty (purchase a replacement helmet at 40% discount if less than three years old).
LEATT SHOES
Leatt makes mid-to-high end shoes for all mountain biking disciplines, including XCO, Marathon, Enduro, Downhill and Slopestyle.
For more on the Leatt brand and its products, visit the main website here.
Paid partnership with Leatt
