Brace yourself to help prevent life-altering neck injuries.

Ever seen a rider with an awkward-looking neck brace on while riding? It’s certainly more common in enduro and motocross crowds, and it’s now becoming more common for Adventure riders to also wear a neck brace while riding.

Dr. Chris Leatt first created the neck brace after he experienced a friend’s passing when that rider took a low-speed fall over the handlebars of his mountain bike. Dr. Leatt started working immediately after seeing the outcome of this crash to create better protection against neck and spinal injuries, with his first patent on the brace in 2003, and his first product coming to market in 2006. The brace works to create less stress on the neck using what’s called Alternative Load Path Technology (ALPT). In other words, in the event of a crash, the force of impact is distributed into the brace and transferred to other body structures, reducing the force down the neck and spine, and limiting the risk of injury. This is mainly through crashes that involve the head rolling with force into the ground; the brace prevents full movement of the neck in more extreme crashes, seen more commonly in off-road riding.

The neck brace has now gone through several revisions and has become a mainstay in the off-road gear industry. Nowadays, there’s a lot of evidence that supports the immense benefits of riding with a neck brace. An Independent Moto motorcycle study done by Action Sports EMS concluded that a neck brace can reduce critical cervical spine injuries by 89 per cent and reduce collar bone injuries by 55 per cent.

I remember years ago when I first heard about the neck brace becoming a popular piece of riding kit, along with inaccurate suggestions that the brace creates more collarbone injuries while wearing it (independent studies suggest that there is actually prevention of collar bone injuries with the brace). Leatt has also done testing showing that it reduces these injuries, especially in incidents when the rim of the helmet hits the collar bone, because the brace redistributes that force.

I opted for the Leatt Neck Brace 5.5 (there is now an updated 6.5 version on the market). The neck brace is offered in four sizes (S/M, L/XL, 2XL, and junior) and is easy to determine the size needed. You then have to ensure the brace is properly fitted to you. A knowledgeable retail staff member can fit the brace or you can look up tutorials online to properly fit it. Once fitted, it quickly feels quite natural, still allowing full rotation for the rider’s neck without allowing the helmet to touch the rider’s shoulders or chest. Although I haven’t had a bad crash wearing the neck brace, I do know many people who have crashed badly and attribute their positive outcome to a Leatt neck brace.

Leatt is most known for the iconic neck brace, however, it has now become a leader in off-road protective gear as well. If your chest, knee and elbow pads are up for replacement anytime soon I encourage you to look at its lineup of low-profile rider protection. On top of this, all chest protectors from Leatt are neck brace-adaptable, so it’s easy and comfortable to wear while riding.

So why wear a neck brace? It’s for the probability of a “shit happens” moment. While, for many of us, putting on our riding gear doesn’t often include a neck brace, it is becoming far more common, and for good reason. Do yourself a favour: If you ride gravel or trails, understand the value of a neck brace. It’s becoming common practice to wear one, and it’s saving lives. For those with a concern for fashion, the Leatt Neck brace is offered in a wide range of colours.

Go to leatt.com for more information about the neck brace and other safety products. Price for the new Leatt neck brace 6.5 for men and women is $760 at Kimpex, or $600 for the 5.5 version. Available at kimpex.com or your favourite retailer that deals with Kimpex’s product line.