LEATT MTB HYDRADRI 3.0 MONO SUIT
£280 www.hotlines-uk.com
One-piece waterproofs may look a little, erm, ‘unusual’, but as long as they fit well, they’re one of the best ways to stay warm and dry when the cold, wet weather hits. Because the top and bottom halves are joined together, there’s no way for rear-wheel spray to get to your lower back, and the trousers can’t start pulling down even when caked in mud.
Leatt’s HydraDri 3.0 suit is made from a slightly stretchy material with 10,000mm waterproofing and 10,000g/ m2 breathability. These 10k ratings aren’t market-leading, but are pretty standard for mid-priced waterproofs. Onesies are warmer than separate items, but the venting options included here make temperature regulation possible.
The collar has a soft lining and is cut high enough to cover your mouth. A pair of magnets on the volume-adjustable, over-helmet hood connect together to keep it from billowing when down, and the suit comes with a stick-on magnet for your lid, to keep the hood in place when riding. We found the hood kept us warm in cold conditions, but did hinder head movement a bit on descents.
You get a two-way main zip, which extends low in the crotch – handy for pee stops. If you open this while riding, to dump heat, there’s an excellent poppered tag (the ‘ClimbVent’) that keeps the two sides of the suit linked at the chest to prevent it from filling with air. Leatt also provide a mesh-backed, zipped vent on each leg and additional venting on the back and chest. We found the mesh caught on the zips occasionally if we weren’t careful.
The wrists have an elasticated hem and the cuffs extend slightly at the top to improve coverage. They could be longer still, though, and a wider opening would be appreciated, too. The legs have Velcro-adjustable cuffs to ease fitting and removal, the knees are slightly articulated and there’s room for pads. A pair of Velcro tabs on the waist help ensure you can get a good fit. The suit has three pockets – one per leg and one on the chest, each with a weatherproof zip. They’re just big enough for a large phone, but we preferred to keep bulkier items in the chest pockets, so they didn’t rub on our thighs.
On the bike, Leatt’s sizing proved accurate. The suit didn’t tug on our shoulders when in the riding position, so wasn’t restrictive or uncomfortable. We found the leg length just right, too, covering the top of winter boots easily. If you regularly ride in the wet, aren’t fussed by splashy rides and don’t mind the slightly ‘storm-troopery’ looks, this is an excellent option. Tom