Windproof weight but waterproof protection? That’s what Leatt says about its MTB HydraDri 6.0 jacket, and the brand’s claims are pretty darn close. Thanks to its lightweight and stretchy fabric, it’s one of the most comfortable waterproof jackets I’ve worn, but despite its massive breathability claims, it can still get a little boil-in-the-bag, just much less so than others.
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Leatt MTB HydraDri 6.0 waterproof jacket – Technical details
Leatt reckons that this jacket can keep you dry from water, and from sweat, and to do that, it boasts a pretty high-tech, HydraDri Air+ 3L 20D Nylon 66 fabric that offers 15k waterproofing with a whopping 70k breathability rating. That fabric then features two-way stretch, but rather than relying on added elastane, the stretch is built into the fabric’s weave, in pursuit of durability. Additionally, the jacket rocks a pair of Deflextion reinforced elbows to help fend off scrapes.
For added water resistance, Leatt has finished the fabric with a PFAS-free DWR C0 finish, and the fabric itself is bluesign approved. There are a few reflective prints around it, too.
As well as Leatt’s now-famous Ride Adaptive Hood that uses magnets to keep it both stowed away neatly and securely on top of a helmet. On top of that, there’s a taped main zip, extended cuffs complete with hook and loop adjusters, a single zipped check pocket, and another pocket at the rear that can be used to store plenty of things, with space to pack the jacket itself into.
The jacket’s available in four sizes, from S to XL, and two colours, the black pictured, and a Lager Yellow.
Leatt MTB HydraDri 6.0 waterproof jacket – Performance
For my time with the HydraDri 6.0 jacket, I used it both to fend off back-wheel spray when trails have been wet, and through heavier deluges, and it’s a mighty impressive bit of kit. I wore a large size, and the fit is excellent. The rear is long enough to cover any gap between trousers and the jacket, and there’s plenty of length in the pre-shaped sleeves. Then, the extended cuffs minimise any gaps between gloves and skin, so there’s plenty of coverage on offer here.
The big headline above the jacket is its super breathable, but waterproof fabric, and with that, the jacket’s ability to let through a breeze is unlike any other waterproof jacket I’ve worn to date. The fabric itself is super light, and it’s got a soft touch to it, so it’s comfortable as it is, but when there’s a bit of wind, whether that’s a breeze with riding, or actual wind, the jacket remains impressively cool, and even the lightest bit of airflow is mega noticeable.
There aren’t many vents, however, so while the fabric welcomes in wind for cooling, during slower climbs, the jacket struggles to exhaust sweat and hot air. Because of that, the jacket still gets a little steamy under the collar, but notably, far less so than many other jackets on the market. And really, I’ve remained reasonably comfortable, if a touch warm.
Now, a 15k waterproofing rating certainly isn’t the highest around, with Leatt’s HydaDri 5.0 jacket being rated at 30k, but the trade-off is the lightweight of the 6.0’s fabric. That said, the HydraDri 6.0’s ability to fend off the wet stuff is far from shabby. Yes, in heavier downpours, the fabric will wet out, but for most of the rides I’ve used the jacket in, the combination of the DWR coating and the 15k fabric has shed water commendably.
For a while now, I’ve been a big fan of Leatt’s hood design. It’s convenient, easy to use, and brings real benefits to the jacket, where others render them a bit of a pain. The magnets built into the fabric do an excellent job of holding the hood down when it’s not in use, but with an extra magnet (included) stuck on the top of a helmet, the hood stays in place when worn. The hood benefits from a great cut, too, allowing plenty of space to be worn over a helmet, but then there’s the taller collar, which adds a bit of extra protection, which has come in handy when the wind’s howling, and the rain’s hammering. That collar is cut with a bunch of perforations, too, meaning there’s a smidgeon of ventilation around the neck.
Apart from the jacket’s fairly techy fabric, the rest of the build is fairly simple. The single chest pocket comes in handy for storing keys, and the rear pocket handles anything a bit larger, but it would be good to see some hand pockets and a few other features, such as the glasses wipe hung by an elastic strap. It’s just a few creature comforts that are missing on Leatt’s high-end jacket but are found on its other offerings.
Leatt MTB HydraDri 6.0 waterproof jacket – Verdict
Costing £300, the HydraDri 6.0 jacket is towards the spendier end of the scale, but it does grant you that super breathable fabric that makes it so good. At this price, it’s not without its competitors, however. Endura’s MT500 Waterproof Jacket is a strong contender at £270. Endura doesn’t list its waterproof and breathability rating, but it is packed with similar features. It’s not nearly as breathable as Leatt’s jacket, and it does wet out sooner.
Like the Endura jacket, Leatt’s own HydraDri 5.0 (not too dissimilar from the DBX 5.0 All Mountain Jacket), isn’t as breathable, but it gets a higher waterproofing rating of 30k. This one is loaded with more features, such as a glasses wipe and storm cuffs, and it’s more capable in the waterproofing department. Its fabric is noticeably heavier, however.
There’s then Fox Racing’s updated Ranger 2.5-Layer Water Jacket that comes with a 10k/5k waterproofing/breathability rating. It’s similar in build with extended cuffs and a DWR finish, but it’ll set you back £115.
Where the HydraDri 6.0 jacket finds its value is in that breathable fabric, which provides a level of breathability that’s far more effective at letting cool air in than any other waterproof jacket I’ve worn to date.
Although the Leatt HydraDri 6.0 waterproof jacket still struggles to exhaust heat and sweat, it’s one of the very few jackets that I’ve not regretted wearing when it’s not raining. Despite getting steamy during slow speed climbs, its impressive breathability rating allows plenty of cool air through, making it fairly versatile. It’s a well-built jacket with a bunch of well-thought-out features, but some extra vents would make it cooler during those slow-speed efforts, and it’s a little on the pricy side.
