INNOVATION THROUGH SCIENCE

PIONEERING SAFETY THROUGH ADVANCED RESEARCH

Based in Cape Town, South Africa, the Leatt Lab is where breakthrough protection technology comes to life.

From conceptualization to pre-production prototypes, our world-class facility combines cutting-edge equipment with global collaboration.

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20

Years Innovation

1M+

Lives Protected

30+

Patents Awarded

OUR STORY

BEHIND THE SCIENCE

Every innovation starts with a story. Meet the visionary founder and the silent hero who helps us test every piece of protection we create.

DR. CHRIS LEATT

MB CHB (UCT)

Rider. Father. Inventor. While training in neurosurgery, Dr. Chris Leatt witnessed a tragic motocross accident that claimed the life of fellow rider. Determined to prevent similar injuries, especially for his young son who had just started riding, Dr Leatt walked away from medicine to design what would become the game-changing Leatt® neck brace.

Born in South Africa, he studied medicine at the University of Cape Town and gained trauma experience in hospitals across SA and the UK. He also served as a medical officer at multiple FIM MX Grand Prix events. In 2004, he shifted his full focus to rider safety. Today, Dr. Leatt leads the Leatt® Lab in Cape Town, where science, engineering, and passion collide to create world-class protective gear. He still rides, and remains as committed to saving lives as he was the day it all began.

MARTIN THE DUMMY

50th Percentile Hybrid III Test Dummy

Martin the crash test dummy in testing setup

Martin, is a crucial part of product testing at the Leatt® Lab. With 23 sensors and a motorcycle-specific MATD neck, he simulates real-world crash scenarios, especially unrestrained impacts, to give us accurate, repeatable data.

Crafted from high-biofidelity materials like rubber, foam, and steel, Martin closely mimics how the human body responds in a crash. He meets global testing standards like FMVSS 208 and ECE regulations, making him a trusted benchmark for safety validation. Each impact test with Martin helps us refine our gear - dialing in protection where riders need it most.

15000

Impact Tests

23

Built-in Sensors

Our cutting-edge laboratory features precision testing equipment designed to simulate real-world impact scenarios and validate protection performance.

From initial concept to final product, our Cape Town facility serves as the birthplace of revolutionary safety innovations that protect riders worldwide.

Every product undergoes rigorous testing protocols using Martin and specialized equipment to ensure maximum protection and performance validation.

Our multidisciplinary team of biomechanics experts, engineers, and material scientists collaborate to develop breakthrough protection technologies.

Our engineering team combines decades of experience with cutting-edge technology to create protective equipment that sets new industry standards.

Every component undergoes meticulous quality control testing to ensure consistent performance and reliability in real-world conditions.

OUR PROCESS

TESTING & SIMULATION

Our comprehensive approach combines real-world testing with advanced simulation to deliver protection that exceeds industry standards.

TESTING

Real-World Validation

The philosophy of testing at Leatt® has been to develop test rigs and methods that allow comprehensive in-house testing and exploration of product performance.

Using a range of real life scenarios similar to the types of situations that might be encountered in a motorcycle, bicycle, kart, automotive racing or other accident, tests are conducted at intensity levels that allow Leatt® engineers to fully understand and characterise accident dynamics and product / rider interaction, in order to optimise product performance.

It also gives Leatt® engineers the confidence to expect a first round approval when submitting product to certification facilities where appropriate for examination.

In the early innovation of the motorcycle neck brace, Dr. Leatt had no standard against which to test quality and performance, no theory to guide the design and no practical testing methods to measure the results.

SIMULATIONS

Advanced Modeling & Analysis

Dr. Chris Leatt working with simulation equipment

Extensive modelling and simulation is used in the development of products. Some of the tools used are:

Validated H-III ATD Simulations using MSC Adams, LifeMOD™

Detailed Spine Model using MSC Adams, LifeMOD™

Finite Element Analysis using MSC SimOffice™ with NASTRAN

FEA in collaboration with Strasbourg University

FEA in collaboration with Stellenbosch University

Mold Flow Analyses

Helmet FEA in collaboration with Newton Test Labs

Tekscan Pressure Mapping in collaboration with Stellenbosch University

WHITE PAPERS

Our comprehensive research documentation and technical papers that detail our testing methodologies, findings, and innovations.

Neck Brace - White Paper

2.3 MB PDF

Research and Development Efforts towards the Production of the Leatt Unrestrained Torso Neck Brace.

Download Paper

Turbine - White Paper

1.8 MB PDF

Research and Development Efforts towards the Development of the Leatt® Turbine System.

Download Paper

Knee Brace - White Paper

3.1 MB PDF

Research and Development Efforts towards the Production of the Leatt ® C-Frame Carbon Knee Brace.

Download Paper

BEHIND THE SCENES

STEP INSIDE THE LEATT LAB

Go behind the scenes and see our cutting-edge research and testing in action. Watch exclusive footage of our lab facilities and meet the team behind the innovation.

Team Solitaire rider Dominique Thury Stopped by Leatt US HQ

Step inside the Leatt Lab and discover how cutting-edge research and testing creates the world's most advanced protective gear.

Official Leatt

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Darkfest Riders Visit The Leatt Lab

Professional riders experience firsthand how Leatt protection is developed and tested to extreme standards with Martin's help.

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Pro Athletes

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