Since I’ve been riding my motorcycle in conditions other than paved roads, I’ve been using Leatt protection products, of which I’m a big fan.
My Leatt elbow and knee protectors accompany me on every ride. However, this protective equipment is optional. Boots, on the other hand, are without doubt the most important piece of equipment after the helmet. This is especially true for those who ride on gravel or in more challenging situations.
Introduced to the market a few seasons ago, the Leatt 4.5 Hydradri caught my eye. So when my editor asked me to test these boots, I had no hesitation in volunteering.
First contact
When you take them out of their packaging, you realize that the Leatt 4.5 Hydradri are quality boots. A lugged sole for muddy situations, reinforced by a steel shank. 4 stainless-steel composite polymer lugs. These are adjustable and lockable. This model is also equipped with a sliding closure at the top of the boot for improved watertightness, very effective for those who wear knee protectors. Leatt calls this closure SlideLock. The heel and shin protectors are a good size and inspire confidence. If you wear your motorcycle pants inside your boots, you’ll surely appreciate that the inside of the boot is smooth with a non-slip part for better contact with the bike.
Comfort
The size I ordered was perfect, neither too big nor too small. However, the first time I put the boots on, I felt a pressure point at the ankle. I could only feel this pressure point on one foot. I had to wear the boots a few times before the pressure point disappeared completely. The 4 buckles help the boots to fit properly. The “Slidelock” fastener, which is independent of the shin guard, also helps with comfort and fit.
As I received the boots in February, I was able to wear them and “break them in” before using them on my motorcycle. Much to the dismay of my wife, who was totally at her wits’ end to see me walking around the house in my boots for almost a month…
Slight heel play to watch out for.
Unlike other boots I’ve worn, with the 4.5 Hydradri Evo, even with all the adjustments the lugs offer, I can’t get my heel to lock into the boot. The rest of the foot doesn’t move. But when it comes to the heel, there’s always a little movement up and down. It’s a bit unpleasant to have movement in the boot, especially during low-speed maneuvers that require subtle control of the rear brake. As for this detail, I’d like to stress that it’s not a question of choosing the wrong size, but more a question of physiognomy. So, if you try them on, you might not have this problem. As I don’t have this problem with my other boots, I wanted to point it out.
First Real Test
As I always ride with motocross-type boots, I had no ergonomic problems with the Leatt 4.5 Hydradri. In other words, I had no trouble reaching the gear selector and rear brake lever. Whether sitting or standing, the feel of the sole gives good control of the levers, and maneuvering is easy. Very comfortable, the Leatt 4.5 Hydradri didn’t give me any pressure points and, after a few kilometers, I’d forgotten all about them.
Forgotten, that is, until I realized that my feet were getting hot. Indeed, on my first ride of the season, the temperature was a balmy 8 degrees Celsius. When I got home after almost 2 hours of riding, my feet were damp, even wet. Yet I didn’t ride in water on my first ride.
Hydradri EVO system
According to Leatt’s website, the inner membrane of the 4.5 Hydradri is 20,000 mm waterproof and 20,000 g/m² breathable. To be waterproof, they definitely are. I tested them by walking in water up to the third fastening, and not a drop seeped through. However, every time I wear them, my feet feel wet. And that’s even with humidity-controlling sports socks, when the mercury never rose above 10°C.
Every time I took the boots off when I got home, my feet were so wet that they left footprints on the floor. I can’t imagine what it’s going to be like in the warmer months, when the temperature rises above 25°C…
Protection
All Leatt products are designed first and foremost to offer maximum protection. Leatt neck guards, chest protectors, knee protectors and boots never let you down when it comes to protection. The 4.5 Hydradri boots also offer all the protection found in the brand’s products.
The rigid sole provides support and surefooted protection against impacts. The boot offers really solid lateral support to protect the ankle. However, it is possible to move the ankle for gear shifting and other purposes, thanks to pivot points on either side of the boot.
Shin and calf protection are also solid. The same applies to the toe of the boot, which is very rigid and offers the required protection for the toes.
The Leatt 4.5 Hydradri EVO are impact-tested and CE 13634:2017 certified (European regulation on personal protective equipment).
Ready for almost anything
Leatt 4.5 Hydradri Evo boots are in the mid- to high-end range. For a price of around $580, I consider them quite honest and recommend them to anyone looking for motocross-type boots for adventure or dual-purpose riding. Their resistance to the elements is a very often sought-after criterion, and they’ll serve you well in that respect.
The build quality is very good for this price range. However, I would have preferred metal fasteners to the polymer composite ones found on the 4.5s.
My only negative point is that they are warm, too warm for my taste. For spring and autumn, they’re more than adequate. But for summer… too much for me.
One thing’s for sure, I’m going to wear these boots because I like them so much. But I’m going to have to buy another, less warm pair for summer days. The long summer days that start early in the morning and end late at night. Because when I’m riding, I don’t have time to stop and cool off. I prefer ventilated boots, even if they let water through.
Pros:
- Excellent protection.
- Good build quality.
- Resistant to the elements.
- Comfortable.
Cons:
- Warm
