RUST magazine: Rust#10

Tested
movement is
dangerous, so
I’ve had to resort
to securing the
shoulder cups with
zip ties threaded
through the
triangular clips.
Only that means
the neck brace
securing straps
can’t be used
properly… Then there’s the
velcro adjustment that your
arms go through to secure the
shoulder cups – they‘re just way to
small. I’ve had to fashion a homemade
Velcro extension to both straps so
that I could comfortably extend the adjustment to fit around my arms to
prevent cutting off the blood flow! I’m not an oversized guy with huge arms
so I can only imagine that this is a widespread issue for anyone over 160
pounds (c.80kg).
So I would rate the 5.5 Pro for the core protection a 9/10 but a lowly 2/10
for extremity protection. Only here’s the thing, it turns out Leatt have
already updated the 5.5 Pro and rectified exactly those shortcomings I’ve
identified. The shoulder cups are now sewn into position so cannot detach
and the elbow protection – which you can zip off if you don’t like (many
riders suffer arm pump when wearing elbow pads) – is also nicely secured.
I’m impressed that they’ve addressed those shortcomings so quickly.
So now I think the revised 5.5 Pro is worth a solid 9/10 all round. Just make
sure you’re buying the latest version when you shop!
Warren Malschinger