Review: Leatt Trail 4.0 Long-sleeve Jersey
Trail-ready, long-sleeve jersey with cargo pockets
Built with Leatt’s Eco-conscious WarmYarn fabric – that is spun with recycled coffee grounds – this jersey feels surprisingly soft and is wearable right out of the packaging.
The Rundown
I’d describe the fit as athletic, close-to-body but not overly tight and there is some stretch in the fabric. I’m wearing a size medium – which feels just right for Backcountry riding, Gravel and Trail.
Details
| Ride Style | XC, Trail, eMTB |
| Fabric | WarmYarn |
| Temperature Guide | For cool to cold rides (22-degrees or lower) |
| Fit | Slim fit |
| Pockets | Four |
| Colours | Black, Peanut, Teal (tested) |
| RRP | R1499 |
| More | leatt.com |
When it gets under 12-degrees (and depending on other factors like windchill and the style of the ride) adding some layering would be the move. The Jersey has laser-cut perforations for climate control and a short zip for when more cooling, is needed. For storage, the rear of the jersey has three generous stretch cargo pockets and a smallish, zippered stash pocket.
Impressions
The first thing notable point is you may want to size up for this one. The medium fits the way I like – however my suggestion is if you prefer a looser fit then sizing up might be the way to go. Staying with the fit, the sleeves have plenty of length in them, reaching just over the wrists. The contoured/ tapered shape of the sleeves is spot on.
I’ve had what feels like a million trail jerseys and jackets where the zip is the first item to fail and so I appreciate the slightly more robust zip Leatt has used on this jersey. Although the zip is quite short – (Trail riding with a Jersey completely unzipped is not the look, for anyone, anywhere) – it’s effective for cooling.
A nice touch from Leatt is the grippy strips of fabric that run across the top of the shoulders – the idea here is to give the shoulder straps of backpacks a more grippy surface area to rest on, so the pack doesn’t slide. I tried it with a Thule hydration pack I’ve used with many garments and it does exactly what Leatt says.
The cargo pockets are sized right for essentials like bananas, bars, bottles, biltong or phones. The smaller zippered pocket, large enough for car keys and a credit card, is an excellent add on. I’ve used this Jersey on XC and Trail rides and there’s nothing off about it. It is warm – but there’s some stretch in the sleeves so you can slide them up the arms for cooling. The Leatt 4.0 Trail Jersey is a sleek and low-key technical jersey that is perfect as a single layer for morning or evening rides through our Spring, Summer and Autumn months – just add some layers and it’ll work in winter too.
Bottom line
Sure there are more wallet-friendly Trail Jerseys on the market but this is a technical garment with functional add-ons, eco-friendly credentials and it’s styled just right. //
| Location: Avondale Wine Estate | Images: Chris Taylor |