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If you don't want to switch to indoor cycling in winter, you need something to combat water, mud and cold. Three wishes at once...? Yes! The Leatt 7.0 HydraDri winter MTB shoe promised exactly that when it was launched in autumn 2022. And because there's nothing more demotivating than cold feet on a long mountain bike tour, we tested the flat pedal shoe thoroughly over the last three months.
The HydraDri is based on a flat MTB shoe with an all-round gaiter that extends over the ankle. A press stud at the top forms the closure. Tight calves might find it too tight here; the button is quite difficult to fasten, especially with dirt. The inner shoe is closed with a practical quick lacing system - this fits quite well, but is not as "tight" as I am used to with normal laces. It's also not as easy to "slip into" the MTB shoe. Laces here, cords there - everything has to be sorted out when you put it on.
The gaiter, i.e. the upper, as well as the entire Leatt winter boot, is really waterproof, as the manufacturer promises with reference to the 10,000 water column. However, as is always the case with truly waterproof membranes, condensation forms on the inside at some point. It's never uncomfortably sweaty, but when it's strenuous and very cold, sweat clearly condenses on the instep.
Waterproof MTB shoes from Leatt: Splash water and dirt stay outside
As you can see in the pictures, not only does water roll off the outer layer of the Leatt 7.0 HydraDri, but fortunately also a lot of mud. When wet, dirt can almost be shaken off. And none of it penetrated the inside in our test, even in heavy rain and a mixture of snow and mud.
According to Leatt, the RideGrip Pro rubber sole is softer than the RideGrip normally used. The MTB shoe should therefore offer optimum grip on the pedals even in wet conditions. Together with the WaffleGrip Pro sole structure, my pedals bit into the sole to such an extent that I had to shake my knees out at times because I lacked the minimal lateral movement of my clipless pedals. Incidentally, the soles are also excellent for walking on mud. If the soles weren't quite stiff, the Leatts would have become my winter boots for walking through the city.
Leatt states that the 7.0 HydraDri winter bike shoes are cut slightly wider at the front so that thicker socks can also fit. This actually depends on the shape of your foot. If you have rather wide soles, you can fit fewer socks in the shoe - narrow feet leave more room. In principle, however, medium-thick socks should fit, especially as you are likely to sweat too much with too thick insulation.
Speaking of sweating: At least after several months of testing, the shoes still have a neutral odour. We have not tested whether this is due to the insole with activated carbon.
Details on the Leatt 7.0 HydraDri winter MTB shoes
- Price: 209 Euro >> available here
- Hydradri membrane with waterproofness of 10,000 mm water column
- RideGrip Pro rubber compound and WaffleGrip Pro sole structure for good grip on the flat pedal - even with short pins
- Abrasion and tear-resistant outer fabric
- Quick lacing system inside
- Water and dirt-proof zip on the outside with press stud
- Reinforced toe and heel area
- Insole with activated carbon for quick drying and odour prevention
- Sizes: US 6-13, UK 5.5-12.5, EU 38.5-48.5, CM 24-31
Marc Strucken
Editor
