TESTED: Leatt MTB 3.0 Flat Pedal Shoe

Words: Hayden Wright | Photos: Gerard Lagana

Many moons ago, if you wanted to wear a pair of gravity specific flat shoes you had one viable option, the 5.10 Impact. While their grip was undeniable their durability, styling and availability could easily be critiqued when put under the microscope. Fortunately, we now have an abundance of flat pedal shoes at our fingertips, be it mild like the dark coloured lace up options many brands offer, or the wild such as the Leatt 3.0 Pro being reviewed here. Available in sizes 38.5 to 48.5 and carrying a retail price of $229.00 the 3.0 Pro has a long list of features typically reserved for high end clipless shoes, and eye-catching styling to boot.

RRP: $229
bikecorp.com.au

Hits
– High end materials and closure system
– Soft rubber
– Plenty of ventilation
– Compostable packaging

Misses
– Sizing will not suit some
– Inverted sole pattern not compatible with some pedals

Out of the box

The first thing I noticed when I took these shoes out of their packaging was their light weight at 440 grams per shoe for the EU44.5 size. This is around 100 grams less than the equivalent from Ride Concepts or 5.10. This has been achieved by Leatt taking the ‘less is more’ approach to materials which do not make up the structure of the shoe itself. The synthetic leather upper and neoprene ankle collar scream quality in your hand, and while being thin and full of ventilation holes do not feel cheap or delicate in any way.

The sole on the other hand is thick and stiff, and is made of Leatt’s own Ride Grip Pro rubber – a softer alternative to their standard Ride Grip rubber. This is mated to reinforcing strips on the toe box and heel cup, which are made of separate pieces of hard rubber that are not integral to the sole itself and provide additional protection should you smash your toes or heel on a trail side obstacle. Closure is taken care of by a Moz cable lacing fit system (think BOA) with a velcro strap at the top.

Fit of the Leatt MTB 3.0

The EU44.5 shoes I had on test were on the larger side for that size, but were adequately comfortable on my foot with no hotspots or blisters to speak of during testing. The toe box is spacious, so those with wide feet may want to give particular consideration to the 3.0 Pro when looking for their next set of flat shoes. The Moz/velcro closure combination did a sound job of keeping my foot in place, and while I do fret that one day I am going to have a cable failure while out on a ride I am yet to experience even a single hiccup from this style of closure system through years of use on different pairs of shoes. The lack of laces did also make these shoes very quick and easy to clean after rides, with a quick wipe from a microfiber towel being sufficient at bringing the snow camo pattern back to its former glory.

On the Trail

Let’s get down to the make or break moment for any flat shoe and discuss how grippy the 3.0 Pros are when riding. First and foremost, I would say the new Ride Grip Pro rubber is definitely softer and tackier than its predecessor and also Vibram sole shoes I have previously used, giving better traction and stability on the variety of pedals I cycled through during testing.

One thing that took some getting used to was the inverted tread pattern, which I found gelled with some pin layouts better than others. As you can see in the images, the tread has large raised sections with small channels for your pedal pins to sit in. On some platforms, I found that the pins did not key in with the channels quite right, leading to a degree of float while riding that was difficult to avoid without squirming my foot until it found a more stable engagement on the pins. On other sets of pedals the pins suited the tread pattern well and I had more than enough grip under foot every time I put it down on the platform.

As is with most flat shoes, their performance is dictated by the pedal you mate them with, and it seems in this case that marriage may take some particular consideration. Sole aside, I found these shoes to be well ventilated, stylish and comfortable enough to become my go-to footwear for any flat pedal riding I have been doing of late. Their light weight and breathable construction will lead them to being quite susceptible to water ingress however I will happily take that to gain increased ventilation any day of the week.

Our Take

Leatt’s 3.0 Pro Flat Shoe takes the fairly routine offering we expect to see from a product in this market space and turns it to 11. Between the materials, closure system and styling they really do stand out from the crowd and offer a point of difference to those looking for a high performing shoe to partner with them in their next flat pedal adventure. Given their large fit and unique sole pattern I would recommend trying them on before you buy to ensure your money is well spent.