SEVEN DAY CYCLIST
CYCLING, BUT NOT USUALLY RACING

Specification

The HydraDri 5.0 Jacket aims to combine “full-weather protection and robust durability with a light, flexible design for all-day comfort on the bike.” It is a three-layer fabric - Leatt’s HydraDri Max, which delivers 30,000mm waterproofing to block heavy rain and 30,000g/m² breathability to release sweat and heat. You’ll not find much higher stats. A PFAS-free DWR finish should shed dirt and water.

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The cut has been “improved” and 4-way stretch should ensure easy movement. Leatt’s ClimbVent system lets you unzip for ventilation on long climbs – as do many zipped garments with underarm zips; but there are also small, neatly cut holes at the top of the chest.

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Whilst your tool kit will probably stay on your bike, there’s plenty of thoughtfully designed storage on the jacket; a chest pocket with goggle wiper, padded phone sleeve, and lift-pass pocket – yes, it is designed for down-hilling as much as anything else, but if Michael adds “bus pass in Steve’s case” I shall not be at all offended.

Hoods on cycling jackets can be a point of discussion and disagreement. Vital to go over your helmet for protection when out in the wilds with equally wild weather, or waving like the Jolly Roger atop a pirate ship’s mainmast.

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So, Leatt have a Ride Adaptive Hood’s (RAhD) patent-pending magnetic system.” This aims to keep it in place — either fixed to your helmet so it won’t blow off at speed or secured to your back so it won’t billow behind you. Of course, the hood on the Hydradri 5.0 is designed for MTB rather than road or commuting helmets, but that need not be a problem with a bit of common sense and adaptation. Add to all this innovation some more traditional features; reinforced elbows, very sturdy waterproof storm cuffs, and reflective details.

 

Rather nicely, there’s a press stud closure halfway up the front. Finish it all off with an external loop at the base of the hood for hanging up. Fundamentally, this is MTB way-out-in-the-wilds gear, with features designed for durability and protection in “brutal weather.” To me, that also shouts “touring!”

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Size and fit 5/5

As an MTB jacket, you’d expect a generous fit as opposed to a body-hugging road jacket. I must admit, I prefer a bit of additional space, so the size guide on the Leatt and Zyro Fisher websites suited me perfectly. With the four-way stretch fabric and that bit of extra space, you should have no trouble twisting around when hitting technical sections of the trail. From my perspective, the ability to layer clothing on a multi-day, inevitably mixed weather, tour is practical. With more road-orientated gear, I may well go up a size if close to the upper measurement on the size guide; with this I would not.

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Care and durability 3.5/5

I have found this surprisingly easy. Just follow the instructions. They are pretty standard for technical garments. Above all, I do not take risks with garments of this type. If unsure or in necessity, cool wash either soft soap flakes or technical wash. After a day in the rain, I have found it dries overnight - and it has dried out strapped to the rack after shorter periods of rain. I have not tried to make contact with undergrowth or masonry. Best avoided in my opinion. However, the fabric looks as robust as any I have seen, and more than most. As I have said, it feels like a heavyweight garment.

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Performance 4.5/5

So, here goes. Typical changeable UK month of June, 7C when raining, 11C in the wind when the sun shines (this is actually unusually cool for this time of year); terrain rolling with descents and climbs up to 15%. Needless to say, the rain and the wind were kept at bay; on the steepest climbs with zips done up, sweat built up quickly; without them, less so, but still some moisture. Rolling on form the top, it quickly became evident that the moisture had gone almost before I’d thought of checking.

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This promises great performance on warm-but- wet days in hilly country or when forcing the pace on the trail or lugging a fully loaded tourer over the mountain pass. And that was how it turned out, although I should point out that these were English mountain passes (cue laughter from the Alps and Pyrenees and further afield). Even better, descents were comfortable, even when another relatively chilly day turned up.

 

Whilst summer has been pretty dry, I have had enough days of rain and showers in Germany and Sweden - not a drop of rain in Denmark - to reach a few conclusions. Firstly, working hard on hills with a fully loaded tourer has felt pretty comfortable. Naturally, fully battened down with all vents closed got warm, but you would expect that. Having said that, there were days with an autumnal 11C on the Swedish weather app; now the jacket felt perfect over a jersey.

 

Heavy showers did not catch me out, wearing the jacket all day, with the vents and hood easy to adjust on the go. The front zip was a tad trickier and is vital for keeping the hood in place on rapid descents - even with the little helmet magnet. So, all very good. The design of the hood allows good vision behind - not necessarily a prime consideration for hard-core MTB riders - but a real plus for the tourer on the road. With a bit of care the hood can be made snug and secure. I have found that the pockets can become damp in the inside during heavy rain. Best not store your phone there. Inside the pocket you’ll also find some mastic pulls for finer adjustment.

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Sleeves are suitably long with Velcro closures in the outside. I have tended to use these during driving rain; you know, the sort that blows up your sleeves. They are very much the additional defence. Generally, I have found the internal baffle defence enough, even in long descents. Chill and damp can be kept out very effectively. back length is sufficient, but remember, it is designed for a more upright position. I have no issue with this on your and even hunkered over the drops on my day-Audax or short your machine, I have had no chilly feelings around the kidneys.

 

Overall, this is a heavyweight jacket, perfect for colder weather or exposed riding when reliability is absolutely vital. It’ll keep you warm, even when you have been sweating like a pig, and the breathability won’t let you feel your sweat for too long. I’ll not be using it for day rides, but for long tours it could well become a favourite.

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Value 4/5

Well, you may get a great deal from this Leatt Hydradri 5.0 but you’ll pay for it. Let’s ignore the value if high level performance when heading out into situations where you maybe exposed to some serious weather and stuff terrain, and think money. Well, the Endura MT500 does not have quite the same level of detail - pockets and vents are combined, for example - but I have seen very good reports from a number of riders. At around £250 rep price is comparable, but I have seen it discounted on-line. The same can be said for their Freezing Point model.

 

Pricier is the Paramo Velez Jacket. I have used one for a while and like it a great deal. However, it is not cycling specific so lacks some of the more technical features. As you’d expect, it works best as part of a Paramo system. It comes in at over £300. There are a number of offers from high-end brands with good reputations. In fact, despite the seemingly high prices, this is a pretty competitive market. A lot depends on the level of protection you want and how bulky you want to go. However, the Leatt Hydradri 5.0 Jacket is a real competitor with lots of great features and by no means the most expensive for garments if this type and quality.

 

Summary

Excellence comes at a cost, but this is a go-to when high levels of performance are needed and reliability and adaptability are required. It does more than one job very well, great for the tourer. For the MTB rider or those venturing into exposed places, it is something to rely on. Moreover, it does not look bad off the bike.

Verdict: 4.5/5 Top-notch jacket for MTB or on tour.

 

Steve Dyster

https://int.leatt.com

https://zyrofisher.co.uk