REVIEW
Any kid sliding down a snowy hill on a toboggan/skis/garbage bag/saucer would be profoundly confused and disheartened to learn that some adults reject the pure joy of snow-sliding if the snow texture is not to their liking. What a bunch of pricks. I have been that prick. Skiing legend Doug Coombs once said: “There’s no such thing as shitty snow, only shitty skiers.” Amen. FFS, everyone, lower your expectations, feed your basic inner child. Not every ski day will feel like a TGR movie, so get out there and learn to rip in crummy conditions! You’ll be that much stronger when the pow finally flies.
After an unplanned 7-month hiatus from the bike, I’m damn thankful to be riding again. What better training (or penance to the loam gods) to rekindle my mediocre skills and fitness during early winter deluges? Doug Coombs waxing poetic over riding in the mire might say something along the lines of: “There’s no such thing as shitty dirt, only shitty attitudes”, and he’d be right. Putting two wheels back on dirt makes my inner child happier than a pig in poop, though he’d cry bloody murder if his wittle feet got soaked riding in frigid slop. Akin to a hot chocolate and a hug, waterproof shoes are the antidote to riding in the piss.
Leatt recently re-tooled its premier waterproof flat pedal shoe, the HydraDri ProFlat 7.0 Boa. And thanks to a shipping hiccup, ended up on my feet, reducing Cam’s head-to-toe Leatt wardrobe to…neck-to-ankle. Sorry Cam. Let me tell you how my tootsies have stayed comfortably dry during conditions better suited to growing moss.
Revamped styling of the HydraDri 7.0 is subversively flashy, compared to the zippered galoshes aesthetic of the previous boot.
What’s New
The 7.0 ProFlat is Leatt’s third iteration of waterproof flat shoes. Check Pete’s 2023 review of the previous 7.0 HydraDri Flat shoe here. The all-new 7.0 remains a lightly insulated, fully waterproof flat pedal shoe packing some thoughtful changes over its predecessor. The low-cut has grown into a sleek high-top, complete with ankle protection. Waterproofness and breathability ratings have doubled, using a 20K/20K membrane that fully wraps around the one-piece inner clog. A Boa lace system replaces the in-house cinch laces. The zippered weatherproof gaiter remains, doing away with the snap-top, which I’ll talk about later. Internally, an aft spine from the base of the heel cup extends upward to the top of the gaiter, mating to an external pull tab, letting you slide them on quickly without faffing.
A single BOA dial snugs up the forefoot uniformly without any pressure points.
The robustly built aft achilles spine keeps the gaiter high, and is a solid anchor for donning thy waterproof boots.
Fit & Feel
With the gaiter zipper open and the BOA lace dial fully slack, pulling on the 7.0 HydraDri takes slightly more effort than other shoes, due to the well-defined heel cup. The aft achilles spine provides a framework to keep the gaiter high, and the pull tab is rugged enough to reef on without worrying about blowing a stitch. Feet fully in, the anatomical shape supports my heel well enough that I don’t instantly feel compelled to crank the BOA dial down.
Leatt has drastically leveled up ergonomics in the fit department. With their first MTB shoe lineup, I’d frequently deal with the tongue migrating sideways, creating annoying pressure points on my instep. The new 7.0 model forgoes a dedicated tongue and features a one-piece inner clog, eliminating seams and potential pressure points.
Turning the BOA dial hugs my forefoot and instep evenly. The low to medium inner volume fit requires less cinching down than higher volume shoes, such as the Five Ten Freerider Pro BOA. Once dialed in, the waterproof zipper of the gaiter zips easily into place, secured above the ankle.
Leatt’s RideGrip Pro sole compound is slightly less tacky than rubber from Fox and Five Ten.
A faint imprint of aft pedal pins has appeared after 20 rides, with minimal degradation of the sole.
The Ride
I used these with the Hope F22 and Leatt 6.0 flat pedals. The RideGrip Pro sole compound has enough tack to keep my feet locked in while blasting through chattery chunk, but I can also micro-adjust my foot position without having to completely take it off the pedal – nice. I hate stopping or awkwardly fighting the pedal pins for proper foot positioning. Out of 10, I would rate the Leatt RideGrip Pro at 8 on the grip scale, compared to the 9 of the Fox Union, and 10/10 of Five Ten Stealth rubber.
The sole flex is medium-stiff and the shank supports my feet well without any fatigue. The flex is comfortable during small hikes, and feels robust enough for bike park or big shuttle days. In the protection department, low-pro ankle padding wards off crankarm strikes, and the toebox protection feels strong enough to kick occasional rocks. Thicker textile panels surrounding the toebox and crankarm zone show no signs of abrasion or wear.
Are they waterproof? Damn right they are. I’ve ridden in tons of slop, to the point my pants were absolutely saturated, while my feet stayed completely dry. My feet get cold easily, and the addition of water would be the death knell of an otherwise great ride. Luckily, that’s never happened. And while not a dedicated winter shoe, I appreciate the ability to add layers when the mercury dips close to zero. A thicker wool sock paired with an Esker insole is the move to keep the chill away.
Breathability is high, and I plan on riding these well into the warmer spring wetness. The minimal inner padding doesn’t have a chance to retain moisture, leaving the waterproof membrane to purge dampness.
One minor gripe is that Leatt should have kept the button at the top of the zipper, which was featured on their previous HydraDri 7.0 shoe. The now-buttonless zipper tends to open halfway, negating some of its purpose. Luckily, the superb waterproofness of the lower shoe saves the day.
The bells and whistles Leatt has added to the HydraDri 7.0 make it a worthy contender against the Fox Union Allweather and the Five Ten Trailcross GTX, depending on your preferred level of grip. They are made exceptionally well and will keep your feet dry while stuck to your pedals during monsoon season.