I'm a big believer in good gear. Yes, you can save some money here and there, and boy howdy, do I. But good, solid, indestructible gear is worth its weight in gold and saved hospital trips, as it can mean the difference between a sprained ankle and a shattered tibia.
Sometimes, however, you can get both, i.e., a great price and killer performance.
And Leatt's new 8.5 ADV HydraDri boot looks to fit that bill, too, as the hybrid adventure/enduro/dirtbike boots have an incredibly reasonable price tag, along with offering some seriously good performance specs. Plus, how good do these damn boots look?!
According to Leatt, the new 8.5 ADV HydraDri boot "combines the durability of offroad boots with the lightweight comfort of adventure boots for optimal performance on and off the bike," adding, "Perfectly balanced for enhanced maneuverability, this boot offers outstanding control and agility in every ride." Basically, Leatt took what works for a hard-enduro/dirt bike boot and combined it with the all-day riding wants and needs from adventure boots to get this one.
And that sounds pretty good.
The way Leatt achieved that duality—Slipknot intensifies—is by splitting the boot into two sections, with the lower portion being more enduro-oriented with reinforcements around the sole and ankle for better protection, while the upper portion is Nubuck leather, which becomes more pliable as it ages and is worn. In other words, more comfortable as you ride with it. There is, however, a shin plate to protect yourself against hazards or slamming into the pegs when you misjudge a jump and end up losing your footing.
That's definitely not something I've done...
Moreover, the whole thing gets Leatt's HydraDri interior lining, which makes the boot 100% waterproof, perfect for everyone's river and/or puddle crossings. These boots also look amazing in the Black/Bronze colorway, though a Black/Grey (very millennial of Leatt, honestly) is also available. Likewise, they won't break the bank, with Leatt offering them at a retail price of $494, which isn't bad considering others within the space start over $600 and only rise from there.
And while I said that Alpinestars' new boots may be replacements for my aging O'Neals, Leatt might have me rethinking what I spend my hard-earned cash on. What say you, internet denizens?
