Leatt HydraDri ProFlat 7.0 Boa shoes

Being a brand that never settles, Leatt has brought a range of tweaks to its HydraDri ProFlat 7.0 Boa shoes. The new Boa dial, combined with the waterproof membrane, bootie construction, WaffleGrip tread, and top-notch comfort make for a near-perfect waterproof shoe. They’re a little pricier than others, but waterproof shoes don’t often come quite like this.

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Leatt HydraDri ProFlat 7.0 Boa waterproof shoes – Technical details

Unlike regular mountain bike shoes, waterproof variants rely on a few more features in order to help them do what they’re built for, and Leatt’s HydraDri ProFlat 7.0 Boa shoes are no exception. Bringing waterproofing capabilities, these kicks use the brand’s HydraDri EVO membrane to fend off water and dirt, but that’s boosted thanks to a water-resistant gaiter that’s closed via a taped zip.

• Buy the Leatt HydarDri ProFlat 7.0 Boa waterproof shoes from Tredz for £192.99

Departing from the older version of the shoe, this new model employs a Boa dial, rather than a speed lace setup for its main closure. While this system is excellent for on-the-fly microadjustment, it also removes the faff of tucking laces under the gaiter.

The shoes then benefit from a slightly raised ankle cuff to add a hint of protection against crank knocks, and there’s an Active Carbon insole to keep sweaty foot stench at bay, as well as an anti-compression EVA lining.

Moving towards the outsole, it uses Leatt’s softer RideGrip Pro rubber with a WaffleGrip Pro tread pattern. Everything’s very professional here. That tread pattern is also cut with mud flow channels to help clear mud and improve walking traction.

Leatt claims that a single EU43 shoe would weigh 470g, whereas I weighed my EU44 at 552g, though it wasn’t totally dry upon weighing.

Leatt HydraDri ProFlat 7.0 Boa waterproof shoes – Performance

I was quite the fan of Leatt’s original waterproof shoe, the 7.0 HydraDri, but I wasn’t completely sold. Although these newer shoes have a lot of the same features, it marks a notable improvement to the point where they’ve become my go-to flat pedal shoe for wet rides. In fact, they’ve outshone many I’ve used.

First off, the fit. Leatt has absolutely nailed it. Where even the same-sized shoe across different brands and models can vary a lot, Leatt has managed to settle on a fit that’s both snug in all of the right places, but with just enough wiggle room for comfort. With that comes a toe box that’s not unnecessarily spacious, but with enough give to stop it from feeling restrictive. That’s riding with both thicker and thinner socks.

A real benefit of the HydraDri ProFlat 7.0’s upper is that it’s an incredibly easy shoe to put on and take off. Where many waterproof shoes rely on tall and sealed cuffs for weather protection, which can be really tough to slip your feet into, Leatt’s zipped gaiter makes putting the HydraDris on simple. It’s merely a case of shoving a foot in, making sure the Boa’s cables are all in the right place, zip it up, and cinch it down. That said, like with the older shoe, mud can get caught in the zip and make for a more difficult time pulling it up. But straightening the ankle and applying a smidgeon of elbow grease quickly overcomes this. Keeping the zip clean is also a must.

As for waterproofing, not much comes better than these shoes. With any waterproof shoe, I’m still holding back when smashing through puddles, and that’s even the case with these, but with them, I really don’t need to. As long as they’re combined with a good pair of waterproof trousers, water doesn’t find its way in at all.

With such effective waterproofing comes little in the way of ventilation. There are no perforations around the shoe at all, which makes perfect sense. And usually, I would be moaning about the lack of airflow, but given that these are shoes for wet weather, and in the UK at least, winter, all it takes is a solid sock choice to manage any excess warmth.

Despite Leatt not making any changes to the rubber compound used for the outsole, I’ve found that the traction the shoes provide is fairly unwavering. When riding with Pembree’s D3A pedals, Outlier’s Void, and Race Face’s Turbine pedals, I’ve had plenty of traction to keep my feet exactly where I’ve wanted them. Off the bike antics are certainly catered for, too, just don’t be stepping down anything too steep, or too wet. Logic, people.

Leatt HydraDri ProFlat 7.0 Boa waterproof shoes – Verdict

Waterproof shoes for flat pedals have become a lot more common over the past couple of years, and there are some real competitors to consider before dropping the cash on the HydraDri ProFlats, but as with most things, none of them are perfect. Fox’s Union All Weather shoes are well worth a gander. They’ll set you back £219.99, so they’re pricier, but they’re tougher to get into and out of, says Jimmer, who has a review of the Union All Weather clipless shoes coming soon.

Northwave’s Multicross Mid GTX MTB shoes are another option to look at, at £194.99. These are thermal shoes, so they’re warm enough for sub-zero temps, but that does hinder pedal feel, and while the outsole is grippy, they’re not quite as confident off the bike.

Five Ten’s Trailcross GTX Gore-Tex shoes are the real competitor. They do all of the good things, and provide the grip that you would expect of a Five Ten shoe, but they’re not as comfortable as their thin laces can dig into the top of the foot.

Where I liked the original shoe, I’ve loved the Leatt HydraDri ProFlat 7.0 Boa waterproof shoes. They’re comfortable, waterproof, and grippy. The only mild niggle I have is that the zips can get a little tough to use when crusted up with mud, but given the overall weather protection and performance they offer, that’s a tiny fly in the ointment.

• leatt.uk

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