Leatt DBX 4.0 gloves come in two flavors, Windblock and Lite.
Gloves are not something we usually review. Generally, folks are smart enough to sort those out for themselves.
However, when the bar gets meaningfully raised on any MTB product, we're excited to let you know about it. Leatt’s DBX and DBX Windblock (they also make a DBX 3.0 x-flow glove, which I didn't use) definitely punch well above the average offering - and are worth a hard look next time you shop for gloves.
At TGR, we'd like to think we put most things we write about through the wringer to offer solid insight. And that's true here; I've been beating on these for four months now.
The DBX 4.0 gloves feel carefully designed, engineered and built from the ground up. They’re comfortable, tough, light (something not usually true of products with a knuckle-plate) and offer greater protection than your average glove.
The DBX's most striking feature is the CE certified Armorgel finger and knuckle padding. It instantly gives you a good feeling about wearing the product. In terms of both badass looks and perceived safety.
Armorgel is Leatt’s flavor of impact gel (many companies offer a gel like it in knee and elbow protection). The compound is supple until impact and then the molecules magically align to create stiff protection. It's impressive that Leatt had it tested to get it CE certified as Personal Protective Equipment.
And, importantly, the armoring doesn't slide around; it stays over the knuckles.
The gloves are supremely comfortable. Soft, supple and you never notice you're wearing them. There’s no tradeoff of toughness for feel and control. The palm is as thin as any light glove.
I wore the windblock all winter and only had to go to an insulated glove on the severest of days. Though I don’t get cold hands very easily, so don’t take that as a promise of insulation-like warmth. But they definitely do what they say, which is block wind. And they don’t get sweaty or wet inside. They feel like a normal, supple glove.
Importantly, they’re durable. The blue DBX gloves shown here and above are an entire winter and spring old - used as the ONLY glove for that time. They still look new. Even the nose-wipe finger.
The nano grip fabric unders have suffered several hands-out skids and rock garden falls. And there’s not a blemish to be seen on the palms or uppers. They’ve been through the washer several times and look bright, seams are all still solid, and there’s no holes in them. Also, the Armorgel is not even hinting at peeling or coming off. It's on there.
They look good in action. ESPECIALLY if you have a blue bike. #glovesmatchyourbike
I'm someone who is particularly hard on my fingers; I put my hands out when I fall and sometimes ride with my last two fingers off the bars (it's not a smart thing to do, it happens subconsciously). So I really like the added confidence.
Gloves will not stop you from dislocating a finger from a direct impact, but the gel will block stick and rock strike bruising.
I appreciate a better glove, and a comfortable glove - but wrap that into a safer glove, and you've got something. The Leatt DBX 4.0 Windblock retails for $54.99 and Leatt's lighter-weight DBX 4.0 Lite retails for $49.99. (And again, the DBX 3.0 X-flow) We're into 'em.
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About The Author
stash member Gunnar Waldman
Editor-at-Large, IMBA instructor and east-coaster. Raced Trans-Savoie in France, SoCal Enduro and Endurance in Temecula and is psyched for all the great new races in the east. Article Ideas: gunnar.waldman@tetongravity.com