Review: New Leatt Endurance 4.0 Jacket
Three-season performance in a sleek, minimalist design
When the temperature drops and your morning rides start in cold and moody conditions, layering can either make or break your ride. But what if one jacket could do it all — windproofing, insulation, breathability, ergonomic fit — without turning you into a sweaty mess or a human windsock? Enter this Autumn/Winter/Spring hybrid jacket from Leatt – it’s a masterclass in modern fabric technology, understated design and functionality.
The Rundown
The front of the jacket features a wind-resistant, 4-way stretch fabric that’s treated for extra insulation, exactly what you want when you’re facing early morning headwinds. Meanwhile, the back and sleeves are constructed from a super elastic WarmYarn knit, designed to improve thermal regulation and breathability. It’s also naturally antibacterial and antistatic.
Details
| Ride Style | XC, Gravel & Road |
| Fabric | Wind-resistant front panel, breathable rear, 4-way stretch |
| Temperature Guide | For cool to cold rides (18-degrees or lower) |
| Fit | Next-to-skin, aero fit, tall collar |
| Pockets | Seven |
| Colours | Black, Velvet |
| RRP | R2899 |
| More | leatt.com |
The back features four top-opening compartments and two zippered pockets. The front of the jacket has a lasercut chest pocket perfect for phones. All the pockets are made from a water-resistant stretch fabric that can handle light showers without soaking through.
The zippers are high-grade YKK and other thoughtful finishing touches include subtle reflective detailing and a special fluorocarbon-free treating to improve water resistance. There’s welded hems and overlocked seams to reduce chaffing and a gripper strip across the lower back to keep it snug.
Impressions
I tested this jacket through three months stretching from Winter into Spring, in the Cape. That test time includes Gravel and Road outings in temperatures ranging from 6-degrees to 18-degrees. Varying my base layer according to the forecast, I found the jacket is well-suited to that temperature range, – for me.
On one interval day, the chilly Cape breeze dropped, and the temperature swung up to 20-degrees, which proved a little warm, yet I wasn’t as uncomfortable as what I expected. The full-length zip and breathable rear-panel does help with cooling.
On colder rides, the jacket manages to trap warmth while letting excess heat and moisture escape. It’s a tough balance to strike, but this hybrid pulls it off beautifully. A couple other things I really like about this new jacket from Leatt is the sleek and aerodynamic fit, the understated syling and the excellent pocket layout.
Bottom Line
It’s a minimalist masterpiece for cold-weather endurance riding. If you’re the type who counts grams and kilometers alike, this jacket deserves a place on your hanger. The construction is brilliant – it’s the kind of jacket I think you’ll get 10-years usage out of. //
| Location: Avondale Wine Estate | Images: Chris Taylor |