Leatt cycling clothing: Endurance collection - everything you need for the summer!
Marc Strucken
· 28.08.2024
In this article, we use so-called affiliate links. With every purchase through these links, we receive a commission from the merchant. All relevant referral links are marked with . Learn more.
The sun is burning, it's hot on the steep path through the already harvested fields somewhere in the south of the republic. There are still 64 kilometres to go and a few hundred metres of ascent. The water is running low and the power bars are almost liquid in the hip bag. The only thing that is really pleasant right now are the test products from the South African manufacturer of cycling clothing, Leatt.
In spring, the company had introduced a special collection for cross country and gravel bikes. The We have already presented helmets from the Endurance range and a favourite item on various test rides. So now we have also put on a selection of the cycling clothing on the tours, some of which were well over 30° Celsius, and tested it for its promised summer performance. The cycling jerseys have a sun protection factor of 50 and are made from a fabric that Leatt calls "Ice Yarn". It is made from recycled coffee grounds, making it environmentally friendly and 100% recyclable. The material is also said to have a particularly cooling effect. But the bike tops are designed with strategic ventilation in mind anyway. So does it all work?
The Leatt cycling clothing in a practical test
We tested 3 bike jerseys, 1 short bib and 2 different gloves from Leatt's Endurance collection on the XC MTB and on the gravel bike. The temperatures were mostly above 25° C, on a few tours even at 32 or 35° C. We didn't test the sun protection factor in the lab, but we didn't get sunburnt after more than 4 hours in the sun and without sun cream. Under clothing, mind you - all exposed areas of skin are of course moisturised with a 50-percent cream.
A little spoiler first, as far as the test is concerned: these parts will get you through the whole summer without any problems - and they look good too. There really is hardly anything to complain about and the durability seems to be quite high.
More outfits for warm days? Then we have a few tests ready here:
Leatt MTB Endurance 6.0 cycling jersey
The Leatt MTB Endurance 6.0 Jersey is the most athletic - i.e. the tightest fitting - jersey in this test. Leatt itself sees it that way and says it is high-performance racing clothing with a second-skin feel and therefore marks it with the 6.0 - the symbol for performance clothing in the Endurance collection. The ergonomic cut - you can't have too much fat on your ribs - was therefore designed so that the cycling jersey adapts to an aggressive riding position. The extremely light 360° stretch material, the extended back and the sleeves coated with silicone on the inside, which never slip upwards, all contribute to this.
The aforementioned UPF 50+ sun protection of the Leatt MTB Endurance 6.0 jersey, very good breathability and, above all, an antibacterial fabric that doesn't start to odour are very useful features in summer. There are also 3 jersey pockets on the back, which are easily accessible and have a silicone seal. A fourth pocket, which is sewn into the same area and can be accessed from the side via a zip, can hold a transponder or cards, for example. In terms of appearance, the MTB Endurance 6.0 jersey from Leatt is a road bike jersey with a slightly more robust fabric. It is therefore a pure performance shirt for XC and gravel bikes if you really want to step on the gas. However, you won't get overly warm in the jersey because it provides sufficient ventilation/cooling.
- Technical polyester/elastane knitted fabric; Ice Yarn (see above)
- Very light with 360-degree stretch
- Breathable and quick-drying
- Ergonomic cut for an aggressive riding position
- 3 pockets on the back (the size of a bottle)
- 1 additional zip pocket at the back
- UPF 50+ sun protection: blocks 95% of UVA and 98% of UVB rays
- Antibacterial
- Longer back with silicone moulding
- Welded and seamless front zip and hem
- Silicone panel at the sleeve ends
- Reflective print on the lower back
- Skin-tight seat
- Price: 70 Euro (available at a reduced price here)
Leatt MTB Endurance 5.0 cycling jersey
The MTB Endurance 5.0 jersey from Leatt wears the 5.0 - so it has a slightly more relaxed cut. Equipped with Ice Yarn, the material made from coffee grounds, this jersey also has a cooling effect, which we can at least confirm in that it was comfortable to wear even at over 30° C. The perforations in the fabric should also keep you cool. The perforation of the fabric should also provide cooling. The Endurance 5.0 Jersey is also designed to fit like a second skin and offers perfect ergonomics for long rides. In short: that's 100 % true. Nothing slips.
The features are similar to those of the cycling jersey described above. Sun protection (UPF 50+), cargo and zip pockets and silicone-trimmed cuffs offer everything you need on the saddle during the summer. This cycling jersey has even more pockets: In addition to the 3 "normal" ones, a mesh pocket has been added to the middle one and another zip pocket has been sewn in on the left. A total of 6 pockets on the back - who needs a hip bag? The style is typical Leatt - South African style!
- IceYarn made from coffee grounds with a natural cooling function
- 360-degree stretch
- Ergonomic cut for semi-aggressive sitting positions
- Breathable and quick-drying
- UPF 50+ sun protection blocks 95% of UVA and 98% of UVB rays
- Antibacterial
- 4 cargo pockets (bottle-sized)
- 2 additional zip pockets sewn in
- Longer back with silicone print
- Laser-cut vents
- Silicone panel at the sleeve ends
- Reflective print on the back (but in the mesh pocket)
- Sizes: XS-3XL
- Price: 99,95 Euro >> available at Bergfreunde for 55 Euro
Leatt Jacket MTB Endurance 2.0
Even in summer it can be cooler, or you can set off late and come back in the dark. But there is the Leatt MTB Endurance 2.0 Jacketwhich works wonderfully as a complement to cycling jerseys - and only works for close-fitting jerseys, as it has a rather sporty cut itself. It is made from a very light and stretchy ripstop nylon fabric that is supposed to be windproof and breathable at the same time. The entire front and arms are indeed windproof, but almost the entire back is made from a mesh material that is extremely breathable. And you need that, because otherwise the MTB Endurance 2.0 jacket from Leatt will quickly become very warm.
With a dirt and water-repellent coating, the cycling jacket even keeps out a little when it drizzles or splashes from below. Another practical feature is that it can be packed into its own back pocket and stowed away very small - for example in a jersey pocket. There is also a small loop for attaching it to a pannier. Perfect to always have with you for safety - even in summer, nobody should be freezing on the bike.
- Very light and stretchy nylon/elastane fabric
- Windproof due to material construction - no laminate glued in
- 360-degree stretch
- Dirt, water and stain-repellent coating
- PFC-free permanent impregnation
- Ergonomic cut for aggressive/semi-aggressive riding position
- Knitted mesh inserts on the back and in the armholes for ventilation
- Pre-shaped, stretchy cuffs with additional protection at the top
- Low profile collar with soft fabric on the inside
- Longer back with silicone print
- Zip pocket on the lower back
- Packable in the back pocket; with storage strap when packed
- Size: XS-3XL
- Price: 138,95 Euro >> available at Bergfreunde at a reduced price
Leatt Bib MTB 6.0 Endurance cycling shorts
After all the tops, we naturally also need something for "underneath". Here we have once again opted for the very high-performance Leatt MTB Endurance 6.0 Bib* was chosen. According to Leatt, the cycling shorts are equipped with a high-quality Italian seat pad from Elastic Interface with 4 layers. The seat pad has cut-outs at the front for ventilation. And they really do bring coolness to the basement! Why doesn't everyone have this?
The stitching on the seat pad is not clean (see picture below), which is not a problem when wearing and has not yet led to a defect. However, this is conceivable in the long term and after many washes. The leg cuffs are also starting to curl and roll up a little after the test period of three months. Should any damage occur, we will make a note of it here with an update.
MTB Endurance 6.0 Bib from Leatt also feels like a second skin. Depending on the length of the upper body, the straps can be quite loose - even compared to other manufacturers. They are also designed to be very airy with mesh fabric. The leg cuffs are equipped with silicone and are difficult to pull over the legs when putting them on; however, they are 100% stable. The cycling trousers have 50+ sun protection. Leatt itself claims that the Endurance 6.0 Bib is suitable for cross-country rides of up to 7 hours - but you can definitely go longer with ice cream parlour breaks without any problems. A little gimmick at the end: there is a small transponder pocket on the back.
- Premium seat cushion from Elastic Interface with 4 densities
- Laser-cut air holes on the front of the pad
- 360-degree stretch
- Breathable and quick-drying
- Carbon blended fabric antibacterial
- Ventilated straps with ultra-thin profile and mesh fabric
- Pocket on the back for radio/transponder
- UPF 50+ sun protection: blocks 95% of UVA and 98% of UVB rays
- Ergonomic cut for an aggressive riding position
- Silicone panel at the leg ends
- Size: XS-3XL
- Price: 120 Euro >> available here
Leatt MTB 3.0 Endurance cycling gloves
This test is about cycling clothing that can be used for gravel and XC biking. However, my personal preference for gloves is clear: no padding for MTB!
The Leatt MTB 3.0 Endurance cycling gloves confirm this once again and they were therefore worn exclusively on the gravel bike. However, they cut a very good figure there. The bike gloves are slim and yet appear to be quite robust. They are made from a stretchy material that is breathable. The inside of the hand is equipped with so-called MicronGrip material, which has good grip on the handlebars in both wet and dry conditions and - importantly - works on the mobile phone display. There is a towelling sweat wiper on the thumb, which has been put under a lot of strain this summer.
The fit could be more suitable for shorter fingers. The MTB 3.0 Endurance cycling gloves from Leatt are very comfortable to wear and easy to put on and take off even when sweaty. Only when the back of the hand is damp does the thin fabric tend to roll up over the skin - you have to pull it around a bit. After the test period, there was slight wear on the fingertips and minimal spreading of the seams there - we are continuing to monitor this.
- Padded palm to reduce handlebar vibrations
- MicronGrip palm: for dry and wet conditions; with touchscreen function
- New ventilated 360° stretch top for better fit and breathability
- Extended welding wiper
- Comfort cuffs
- Size: S-XL
Leatt MTB 3.0 Lite bike gloves
And because we also race through the woods on our MTBs, we also tested the MTB 3.0 Lite bike gloves from Leatt. Naturally in matching colours to the previous tops. And above all, without padding on the palm for direct feedback from the handlebars. These bike gloves obviously have a little more protective function thanks to the rubber plate and prints.
In fact, the MTB 3.0 Lite gloves* nevertheless allow good air circulation through the impact protection at the ankles. They are therefore comparatively "airy" like the blue models. The micro synthetic leather is reinforced on the outer palm - but seams do not interfere anywhere inside the cycling glove. They are also display-compatible and have the practical, large wiper on the thumb. Here, too, it has to be said: this glove will probably continue to accompany me on the trails because it is comfortable to wear all round. But here too, there is slight wear and tear on the exposed fingers.
- ReaFlex impact protection for ankles
- MicronGrip palm: good grip in dry and wet conditions; with touchscreen function
- Ventilated 360° stretch upper material
- Reinforced lower palm
- CE-tested and certified as PPE in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/425
- Ankle impact protection EN 13594:2015, reduced requirements adapted for off-road use
- Sweat wiper on the thumb
- Size: S-XL
- Price: 50 Euro >> available here
Marc Strucken
Editor
