In the battle of protection versus comfort, Leatts new Gravity 5.0 full face helmet ticks all the boxes. The Gravity 5.0 is a very lightweight lid, and it offers excellent ventilation. It also includes a BOA retention system and provides a wide field-of-view, making this a very comfortable full face for enduro riding.I picked up the Gravity 5.0 helmet at Crankworx Whistler last summer. This helmet was quietly released in January, but Leatt kept promotions limited until recent weeks when more inventory became available.I got some time in the Whistler Bike Park with the Gravity 5.0 last year, plus several trail rides this Spring. This helmets weight, ventilation, and fit left me pretty impressed, and I have no complaints about it! I was also given a pair of Leatts Velocity 6.5 goggles to ride with. These goggles arent a brand new product, but Ive included some quick notes on them as well.Gravity 5.0 Full Face Helmet Construction Features:For complete details on the Gravity 5.0 helmet, check out my launch article from last summer, but heres an overview of its main features. This lightweight, highly vented full face is aimed at enduro riders, but is certified for DH racing.The mid and back sections of the shell are made from thermoplastic carbon, while the top and chin bar are made of polymer. Inside the shell is an EPS foam liner, and the helmets in-mold construction features ventilation channels to promote airflow. The Gravity 5.0 gets Leatts updated 360 turbine EVO anti-rotational pads. The pads were redesigned with a triple-density construction that allows the turbine to slide better on the inside of the helmet shell. This promotes more sideways movement than Leatts previous turbines.Available in S/M/L sizes, the Gravity 5.0 helmet fits heads from 51-63 cm. A height-adjustable BOA FS2 dial retention system ensures a snug fit for any rider. The helmet also comes with two sets of thicker or thinner interior pads. One unique feature of this lid is how the cheek pads can sit in two different positions: further forward or back on the chin bar.Other details include a Fidlock chin buckle, a removable bug/mud guard, and a fixed visor. Leatt also includes a visor extender for extra protection on rainy days, and the visor features a grippy area for mounting POV cameras.The size small Gravity 5.0 helmet is a very light lid, weighing just 673g on my scale.Ride Impressions Fit/Comfort:Im wearing a size small helmet, listed as 51-55cms. Ive measured my head at 56cm, but this helmet fits really nicely. The interior shape matches my skull almost perfectly, with no tight spots or gaps anywhere. On my first test ride, I rode the Gravity 5.0 for four hours in the Whistler Bike Park and remained perfectly comfortable the whole day.I combined the thicker interior padding with the thinner set of cheek pads, and this lid fits like a dream! The cheek pads are snug enough to keep the helmet in place but not uncomfortably tight. I have the cheek pads in the more forward position of the two options, but on that note the two positions are only about a centimeter apart. It does make a difference you can feel, but its not a huge front-to-back shift.Being an enduro helmet, the Gravity 5.0 doesnt have the fully padded interior of a dedicated DH race lid, but I always found it perfectly comfortable.The BOA FS2 retention system cinches down for a snug, secure fit, and its easy to use. Mine is set in one of the highest height positions, and its still easy to access the dial beneath the helmets shell.This lids low weight is great; it helps keep the helmet comfortable for long days of riding. I left it on for several chairlift rides in the bike park because I just wasnt anxious to pull it off!Goggle Compatibility:I tried on five different pairs of goggles with the Gravity 5.0, and all of them fit into the helmet nicely. The only thing I noticed is that, on my head, every pair of goggles sat a bit higher up on my face than Id like. It wasnt uncomfortable, but the goggles were in the fringes of my lower peripheral vision. I frequently found myself pushing my goggles downwards with the 5.0 helmet, but they would creep up.Before I sound too critical, though, I tried two other full-face helmets with Leatts Velocity 6.5 goggles. One of them fit exactly the same as the Gravity 5.0; my Bell Full 10 allowed the goggles to sit a tad lower.Field-of-View:I was pleased to find that the Gravity 5.0s chin bar is lower than the Gravity 6.0 full face I tested two years ago, allowing better visibility of the trail while climbing or descending. Climbing without goggles on, I had no problem seeing the trail below me. I can see right down to my front tire before the chin bar gets in the way. Side-to-side visibility is pretty much unlimited, so Id say the 5.0s field-of-view is easily adequate for trail/enduro use.As described above, I would be slightly happier if the goggles sat a bit lower on my face with this helmet, but it was not problematic.The Gravity 5.0s visor is non-adjustable and a bit narrow. There were times when the sun was getting around it in the bike park, and while I climbed or traversed around my trail network. A wider, adjustable visor would definitely offer better sun protection, but Leatts visor did its job just fine when it really mattered On downhill trails. Anytime I was looking down at the trail as I rode, sunlight was never a problem.Ventilation:The Gravity 5.0s ventilation is excellent overall. My first ride in the bike park got pretty warm, but the helmet offered good airflow. I could feel the wind coming through the side vents on my cheeks and blowing over the top of my head.A couple of hot trail rides confirmed the Gravity 5.0s great ventilation: At anything more than climbing speeds, or with any breeze, air flows nicely everywhere through this lid. Some heat will build up inside it as you climb, but its still very cool for a full face. As soon as any wind gets through, air flows in and out of the helmet easily. After a hot two-hour ride at 30 Celsius, I came home feeling pretty comfortable. I noticed ventilation is good from all angles, too. I turned my head sideways while riding and still felt plenty of airflow.This helmet stays pretty cool since the interior pads make limited contact with your head, allowing air to flow everywhere around them. The cheek pads are not big, and there is plenty of open space around the ears and the sides of the head. The forehead pads sit fairly high up on me, keeping a good portion of my head exposed to airflow.While riding trails, I had no problem at all breathing in this lid. The chin bar does not restrict air at all, with or without the mud/bug guard in place. Other Notes:If youve ever owned a MIPS-equipped helmet with a creaky liner, youll appreciate how Leatts 360 Turbines make NO NOISE. On top of being silent, I also noticed I could hear the outside world quite well while wearing the Gravity 5.0. The FidLock chin buckle is convenient and easy to use; the magnets find each other and it snaps together quickly. I also noticed the helmets shell shape makes it easy to feel where your goggle strap should sit.As a final note, if you are riding trails/enduro with this lid, the chin bar leaves enough room to sneak in a hydration pack straw from below.The Gravity 5.0 Full Face helmet retails for $349. It is available in Blue (as tested), Black, Brown, Red, and White colorways.Velocity 6.5 Goggles Construction Features:I was given the Velocity 6.5 goggles in their desert colorway, with Sand/Lime frames and an Iriz Platinum UC (Ultra Contrast) lens. This shaded lens is recommended for bright sunny conditions.The Velocity 6.5 goggles feature a bulletproof double lens, and they offer a 170 WideVision field-of-view. The lenses have a permanent anti-fog coating, and they are roll-off or tear-off ready. A pack of tear-offs is included with each pair. The lenses clip in and out easily, and Leatt sells a selection of Velocity 6.5 lenses separately.The Velocity 6.5s frames were designed to fit over prescription glasses, but their outer shape tapers down to fit helmets with smaller eye ports. Outriggers ensure good strap placement on various helmets.These goggles have some high-quality face foam. Its made from triple-layer, dual-density sealed EVA with an anti-sweat fleece backing, and is designed to keep dust and sand out. Best of all, the foam/inner frame is replaceable, extending the life span of these goggles. Final details include a 50mm wide strap with anti-slip silicone bands, and a removable nose guard.Ride Impressions:With their Iriz Platinum UC lens, the Velocity 6.5 goggles are ideal for sunny conditions. I rode a mostly exposed trail on a bright day, and found the lens is easily shaded enough to take the harshness out of direct sun. This lens doesnt get too dark unless youre deep in some shady pocket of forest. A little cloud cover isnt going to inhibit your visibility, and I had no issues riding between exposed and semi-lit forested areas.The Velocity 6.5s frame sits within your field-of-view, but only marginally limits my lower peripheral vision. Thankfully, the goggles never really impeded my view of the trail. The foam on these goggles did its job very well. After a very hot ride, the foam was super sweaty, but no sweat or dust got past it, and it remained comfortable on my skin.I didnt do any long climbs with these goggles on, but I did pedal through some ups and downs, left them on while setting up photos, and rode home from the trails with them on. At no point did I produce any condensation on the lens.While I never found these goggles uncomfortable, I did notice the lower sides left marks on my face after one longer ride. I didnt notice any discomfort during my ride; I only saw the marks afterwards. Despite those minor impressions, I found the goggles perfectly comfortable on my face and nose.MSRP for the Velocity 6.5 Desert goggles is $131. Leatt offers a wide line of Velocity 6.5 models with optional photochromic lenses, roll-off kits, etc., with prices ranging from $109 to $197.leatt.comThe post Leatts Gravity 5.0 Full Face Helmet Is Light, Well-Vented and Comfortable appeared first on Bikerumor.