The South African company Leatt has long focused on the development of neck braces and then gradually expanded its range. Over time, protectors, helmets, entire clothing lines, and goggles were added. It was only a matter of time before Leatt launched its own shoe line. In March 2020, the DBX flat pedal and clipless pedal shoes were introduced. Reason enough to take a closer look at one model. We examined the DBX 3.0 flat pedal shoe. Here you will find our assessment.
General information about the Leatt DBX flat pedal shoe
The brand new Leatt DBX 3.0 flat pedal shoe is fundamentally designed to provide its rider with a perfect combination of comfort and safety while enabling an optimal connection between pedal and shoe. The model has been in use for several years now and is therefore well-tested. But if you want to buy a pair of MTB shoes, our test report is a good decision-making aid both then and now. The shoe is designed for enduro and downhill use and must therefore be robust.
The Leatt DBX MTB shoe does not impress with a spectacular Look, but with excellent wearing comfort and performance.
The material of the Leatt MTB shoes
The outer material of the DBX 3.0 is made of synthetic leather, which is additionally reinforced with synthetic suede in the toe area. Adequate ventilation is provided by the use of a waterproof membrane, making the shoe well-suited for use in both good and wet weather.
To protect the ankle from contact with the crank, Leatt has extended the inside of the shoe higher. Even with aggressive cornering or botched landings where the foot is not optimally positioned on the pedal, there is no painful contact. The heel of the DBX 3.0 has also been optimized to relieve the Achilles tendon while still improving the hold in the shoe.
For the inner material, Leatt uses a moisture-wicking, quick-drying, and antibacterial material to keep comfort as high as possible. Quick-drying and breathable shoes are, of course, an important factor against odor development.
The connection between MTB and shoe – the sole
The most important part of a flat pedal shoe is, of course, the sole , which is divided into three areas in the Leatt DBX 3.0. The front and rear areas have a grippy profile and are ideal for running. Additionally, the profile is designed so that wet mud has no chance to stick. The middle section is responsible for contact with the pedal or bike. Here, Leatt has installed its specially developed “Sticky Leatt Lab” sole. This is extremely tear-resistant, puncture-proof, and highly abrasion-resistant to ensure a long lifespan. To further enhance comfort on the pedal, an anti-compression midsole has been integrated.
These features made us even more curious, and so nothing stood in the way of some extensive test rides.
Our test result for the DBX 3.0 flat pedal shoe
For the test, we moved on different home trails that offered everything from loose terrain to freeride spots with jumps to challenging downhill sections. We have not been able to ride in bike parks due to the current Covid-19 situation. We tested the shoes in combination with the Spank Spoon pedals, which we also tested once.
A crucial point for the right MTB shoe: Is it waterproof? The Leatt DBX test shoe delivers here too!
Initially, two things are noticeably clear when putting on and wearing the shoe: it is extremely comfortable and soft, yet the foot stands very firmly in the shoe. This feels pleasant and gives you the feeling of standing securely on the pedal.
The heel provides very good support. However, this also means that you have to open the laces relatively wide to get your foot into the shoe. No problem, but slipping in and out easily is not possible.
When walking, the sole provides good grip and is sufficiently stiff. Even on wet ground, the shoe does not slip away quickly when pushing uphill. But much more crucial, of course, is the grip on the pedal, and this is gigantic. The design of the sole is such that the pedal pins dig deep in, making slipping virtually impossible. Whether bone dry or soaking wet, the DBX 3.0 sole sticks to the pedal like chewing gum. This makes you feel very secure even on rough sections and always have good contact with the pedal. To reposition the foot or after setting it down on the ground, you have to slightly lift and reposition the foot – “sliding around” on the pedal to find the right position is hardly possible due to the high grip.
The sole of the DBX ensures perfect contact between shoe and MTB
We were also convinced by the reinforced toe edge and the raised ankle area on the inside. After various contacts with roots and stones, which caused the foot to be pressed against the crank, you learn to appreciate such features additionally.
In terms of breathability and ventilation, the DBX 3.0 also performs well, and sweating at around 18 degrees Celsius and sunshine was absolutely within limits. This is partly ensured by the ventilation openings on the top of the toe. These are supposed to be waterproof with a special membrane. However, when we took the extreme test at the creek bed, our feet were still wet. In contrast, there were no problems with normal rain showers and trails with puddles, so you can definitely ride this shoe in bad weather.
Our Conclusion on the Shoe
The first impression was extremely positive. The DBX 3.0 flat pedal shoe fits snugly on the foot, is robust yet comfortable, and above all, provides an enormous amount of grip. It also offers a good mix of breathability and waterproofness, so it can impress in both good and bad weather. Overall, we can highly recommend the shoe – even though a long-term test regarding the durability of the material and the shoe sole is still pending.
The DBX 3.0 is available in the colors gray/black and green/black. The DBX 2.0 model is available in black, blue and gray. Those who prefer to ride with clipless pedals can get the DBX 4.0 model in blue/black and black, as well as the DBX 5.0 model in black.
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