Leatt MTB HydraDri 5.0 jacket test: The most extreme weather protection since the invention of the oilskin jacket

With the HydraDri 5.0 rain jacket, Leatt wants to leave no more excuses. There's no doubt that biking is fun - even when it's raining cats and dogs. But all too often it's the inner bastard that gets in the way. With strong rain protection and high breathability, the MTB Hydra Dri 5.0 aims to arm mountain bikers for all situations. But what really stands out is its wealth of detail. In the test, the Leatt jacket had to face adverse conditions on technical trails.

Leatt MTB HydraDri 5.0 rain jacket in detail

• Water column (impermeability) : 30,000 mm
• MVTR (breathability): 30,000 g/m2
• Features: helmet-compatible hood with magnetic system, anti-slip applications, ventilation slits, chest pockets, full-length waterproof front zip with opening system for cooling, abrasion protection, reinforced seams, reflective details, microfibre goggle cloth, lift ticket pocket, plastic-free packaging
• Sizes: XS / S / M / L (in test) / XL / 2XL / 3XL
• Weight: 707 g
• Price: 299 Euro

>> Leatt also has all kinds of cool bike clothing in its programme for children. You can find all the details in this article.

Weather protection and practical features combined

The strongest rain jacket from Leatt consists of the three-layer HydraDri MAX membrane. At 30,000 millimetres, its water column is higher than that of classic Gore-Tex membranes. At the same time, it is particularly breathable with an MVTR value of 30,000 grams per square metre. To keep the head dry, the Ride Adaptive Hood fits over the helmet and extends over the chin. Small embedded magnets allow the hood to be fixed in two positions on the back or on the helmet using an additional magnet supplied. Thanks to a stiffened front, the hood should even fit over full-face helmets. Leatt promises a good fit even with upper body protectors. Reflective details on the back help in the dark.

>> Gore also recently presented new jackets with a high-tech membrane. Here's the info.

A sewn-in microfibre cloth is ready to wipe the goggles dry. There is a small pocket on the left arm for your lift ticket. Two air intakes can be zipped open for cooling. The front zip can remain open on the uphill. To prevent the jacket from slipping, the opening can be secured with a press stud strap. As wet surfaces tend to slip, Leatt has added non-slip applications on the shoulders to hold a rucksack in place. An additional anti-slip unit at the bottom of the back is designed to prevent the MTB Leatt HydraDri 5.0 from sliding up. Reinforcements on the forearms are designed to protect the €299 jacket from damage caused by vegetation.

>> Still looking for click shoes with Gore-Tex? We have tested a particularly robust model from SIDI.

How the Leatt jacket performs in use

Even in the hand, the Leatt HydraDri 5.0 jacket looks extremely high quality. All the seams are clean, the zips run smoothly and the fit is good. At 190 centimetres tall and with a slim build, we found the size L to be a great fit. Due to its heavy-duty approach, the hardshell jacket is a little too big for the everyday hipbag, but is a suitable companion for all-day adventures in a rucksack or when bikepacking. We were able to test the Leatt jacket on a day of constant rain on alpine hiking trails and can confirm that it is really waterproof.

Not all rain jackets stay dry for four hours in the rain. The ventilation concept is practical, but on long, steep climbs you still couldn't avoid sweating - no surprise here either. Breathability is at a high level, but with such an approach every garment sooner or later reaches its limit. At the same time, comfort and manoeuvrability gave no cause for complaint. The magnetic hood system works great! A high collar with a light fleece lining provides additional warmth in the event of an emergency.

>> We have tested other clothing for wet and cold weather here.

BIKE conclusion

I was completely convinced by the Leatt MTB HydraDri 5.0 for extreme conditions. The hard shell jacket offers very good weather protection even in harsh conditions. Measured against this, the breathability is also okay. The workmanship and wealth of useful details are first class. You can even get over the high price. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor

>> By the way, Leatt now also builds MTB components. Here we have taken a closer look at the new products.