Leatt Vs Alpinestars Vs Evs R4

Hey guys,

I know there has probably been a squillion threads regarding Neck Braces, but I kinda need some help.

I have been riding for a few months now and I am contemplating buying a Neck Brace. All this came about after a stack at the first race of the season.

I have see that there are several different ones being worn around the place, but I'm a bit in the dark as to which one is best.

I have seen heaps of Leatt getting about, but they are pretty pricey.

Does anyone have any advice on the Alpinestars BNS or the EVS R4?

Some help and advice would be awesome.
 

Nautonier

Eats Squid
Does anyone have any advice on the Alpinestars BNS or the EVS R4?.
I have some advice on the Alpinestars BNS as I used to own one. Quite possibly the worst bike-related purchase I have ever made. I had the carbon model and it was heavy, much heavier than the entry level Leatt. Very poorly made, the bottom of the back strut broke off just from being in transit and I've seen several others that have done the same. Incredibly uncomfortable and for the ridiculously over-inflated price you don't get any kind of padding at all, which results in a godawful 'knocking' noise whenever your helmet hits the non-adjustable back plate. Safety wise they only work with full moto helmets, I had a gap of about 100mm on each side with a 661 full face that essentially rendered it completely ineffective for a spinal compression injury, which is kinda what we buy then for.

After wearing that turd of an expensive necklace for far too long I purchased a Leatt and not only do I not even notice that I'm wearing it, but I also feel confident that it will actually save me in a crash situation.

A lot of people will tell you that they love the BNS, so ultimately it's up to you to do the research and make the call. I'm just saying that spending a bit more on a Leatt in the first place might save you money in the long run.
 

driftking

Wheel size expert
First up there wasn't much reason for a new thread search and do the reading don't be lazy haha. Im not sure how well the EVS is covered but leatt vs alpine debate has been done a million times

Not sure what the EVS is like but on the spline vs leatt debate.
Leatt win Everytime. People like alpine as they tend to have more freedom of movements, this is not wheat a brace is for if you have too much movement the brace isn't working.

I use a leatt and there are no movement issues, if people are having movement problems it more likely a vision issue is not having correct technique on the bike or the brace is set up wrong.

To throw an important note in, you also need a neck race compatible helmet. Otherwise you still might not get the use from the brace.
 

Nautonier

Eats Squid
To throw an important note in, you also need a neck race compatible helmet. Otherwise you still might not get the use from the brace.
Exactly. I did the research and apparently the best helmet to use with a Leatt is a TLD D3 or anything with that (low cut) shape.

The other thing that is extremely important is that you have compatible body armour. Unless you have armour that has a slot cut out front and back to accommodate the brace, it will ride too high up and obstruct movement massively.
 

wesdadude

ウェスド アドゥーデ
I ride the base model Leatt but haven't tried any other braces.

Fit is probably the most important thing. The Leatt size chart said I fit a small but it was very uncomfortable. I borrowed a friend's (who was off the bike due to a knee reconstruction) medium and it fit beautifully.

I never really had any comparison point of neck brace vs no neck brace as my first full face helmet (661 evo comp II) purchase was when I started using braces.

Go into a store and give it a try, correct fit is probably the most important thing with a brace.
 

24alpha

mtbpicsonline.com
Go to your moto shop and try both on. You'd be surprised how easy it is to make a decision based on comfort.
I went in with my mind made up that I'd buy the base model Alpine star, left knowing I'd purchase the carbon Leatt, which I now have.
I have also brought the Leatt body armour for compatibility, comfort and protection.
 

frdlvr

Likes Dirt
Had a old EVS and couldn't get it in the correct position for when I was riding (MX might be different as as your not facing DH most of the time) Leatt seems to be the most common one used... BUT to be honest im not to sure if they do actually work, the proof isn't really there that they will protect in mountain biking impacts are different.
 

driftking

Wheel size expert
Like above go in store for fitment, I'm the reverse to above I'm very lean so height wise it said medium but it shifted too much so I ended up with a small.
 
Hey Guys thanks for the responses.

As I said there are probably heaps of threads regarding neck braces, but hey I'm new to this.

From what you have all said the best thing is to try one on, which I will try and do.

Does anyone know if a Leatt will work ok with 661 body armour? I have found one that won't cost me my left nut or first born.

Cheers again.
 

drivebytrucker

Likes Dirt
OMEGA, is one of the best out there in terms of fittment, adjustability and if you believe the different munufacturers, levels of safety/protection. Remember the manufacturers design their equipment not to a legal or medical standard but to what THEIR interpretation of catastrophic injury means, hence why different braces fit differently and feel differently. Find the big article from the mx mag in the u.s thats in the forums somewhere, it tells you all about how they were tested and what they are designed to do. but like most say it comes down to comfort, which comes down to body shap most of the time.
 

driftking

Wheel size expert
OMEGA, is one of the best out there in terms of fittment, adjustability and if you believe the different munufacturers, levels of safety/protection. Remember the manufacturers design their equipment not to a legal or medical standard but to what THEIR interpretation of catastrophic injury means, hence why different braces fit differently and feel differently. Find the big article from the mx mag in the u.s thats in the forums somewhere, it tells you all about how they were tested and what they are designed to do. but like most say it comes down to comfort, which comes down to body shap most of the time.

Leatt use medical practitioners and specialist in thier development I believe they also use cadavers for testing.
As for the previous comment about evidence it is too hard to prove you would need a control group. Because the issue is neck injuries you cannot subject a person to a neck breaking force without a brace as a control group, they would have a high chance of serious injury or death. It's unethical.
In terms of shear numbers, the chance of a serious neck injury might only be say 0.1% but if you are unfortunate enough for that to happen the brace should significantly reduce that.

Eg. (these are not proper numbers just fabricated as a example) you have a 0.1% crash without. Brace your lying on the ground with a 60% chance you have done serious damage to your neck.
With a brace you will be lying on the ground with only a 5% chance of having serious injury.

People will argue the chance of these crashes are very low and they are however on the off chance it may happen I'd be significantly happier knowing that in this rare instance my chance of serious injury is very low.
 

Nautonier

Eats Squid
Does anyone know if a Leatt will work ok with 661 body armour?
No armor will work unless it is specifically designed to be worn with a brace, ie has the slots cut out front and back. If you get armor that isn't compatible it will piss you off no end and you will end up wearing only the brace or the armor, which is kinda pointless imo.
 

24alpha

mtbpicsonline.com
Does anyone know if a Leatt will work ok with 661 body armour? I have found one that won't cost me my left nut or first born.

Cheers again.
The new 661 does support Leatt braces, as does the Troy Lee stuff. Most manufacturers are jumping on the neck brace band wagon. Note, most require removing plates.
I have the Leatt Adventure, it's heavy compare to my older Mace flack jacket, but fits so much better than any other armour I have worn and fits perfectly with my brace.
 
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