Review: Leatt Endurance 4.0 Long-sleeve, Merino Blend Jersey
A cold weather companion with race-ready functionality.
In the world of high-performance riding gear, hype often outpaces functionality. But every now and then, a piece comes along that flips the script – understated and versatile, this is the jersey that got me through winter and is an absolute gem.
The Rundown
There are no flashy graphics, just a sleek silhouette with subtle branding. The Merino-blend fabric is the big deal here, giving this jersey it’s lightweight and soft feel, plus there’s the magic property of Merino Wool – it’s ability to thermoregulate.
Details
| Ride Style | XC, Gravel & Road |
| Fabric | Merino blend |
| Temperature Guide | For cool to cold rides (20-degrees or lower) |
| Fit | Next-to-skin fit |
| Pockets | Six |
| Colours | Black, Lava, Teal (tested) |
| RRP | R1699 |
| More | leatt.com |
It’s a next-to-skin fit, which makes it a performance-orientated item, yet it isn’t overly tight. The rear panel is slightly extended which is ideal for aggressive riding positions and has a silicone gripper to keeps things planted. Leatt has put a lot of attention into the smaller details that bump up the comfort, like laser-cut vents, a welded full-length front zip, hidden seams and over-locked stitching.
Impressions
On the road bike, I’ve used this jersey as a base layer under a jacket and rode in comfort, through the thick of the Cape’s winter. I’ve also used it a couple times on gravel and mountain bike rides, and it rides warmer than the soft and lightweight feel suggests – which is when the full-length zip comes in handy. Overall the versatility is great – meaning it works well across Endurance disciplines. It breathes well too.
For longer rides I prefer a contoured sleeve that doesn’t flap about and that’s exactly how Leatt have shaped and styled the sleeves on this jersey. Initially I used a size medium but then sized down to a small which was a closer, more snug, fit. After several rides and machine washes, I’ve noticed it hasn’t lost its shape and still fits perfectly. The stitching is as new, the garment is odor free and mud stains seem to wash out easily.
I’ve used various Merino or Merino-blend garments for many years and whilst they are pricey, I’ve always thought them to be great investments. At just R1699, the pricing on this jersey is very competitive.
Bottom Line
The Leatt 4.0 Endurance Jersey is a top-quality and stylish Jersey that’s great for shoulder-season rides, winter interval sessions or just looking sharp while staying warm. It’s labelled as an MTB item, but works just fine on Gravel rides, Road Rides or even mountain hikes. //
| Location: Avondale Wine Estate | Images: Chris Taylor |