The South African company Leatt has long focused on developing 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 also 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 took a closer look at 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 should generally provide its rider with a perfect combination of comfort and safety while enabling an optimal connection between pedal and shoe. The model has now been in use for several years and has been extensively tested accordingly. 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. Sufficient ventilation is ensured 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 perfectly designed for running. Additionally, the profile is designed so that wet mud has no chance of sticking. The middle section is responsible for contact with the pedal or bike. Leatt has installed its specially developed “Sticky Leatt Lab” sole there. This is maximally tear-resistant, puncture-proof, and extremely 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, which offered everything from loose terrain to freeride spots with jumps to challenging downhill sections. Due to the current Covid-19 situation, we have not been able to ride in bike parks. We tested the shoes in combination with the Spank Spoon pedals, which we also tested once.
With the right MTB shoe, an important point: Is it waterproof? The Leatt DBX test shoe delivers here too!
At first, 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 is provided with very good support. However, this also means that you have to open the laces relatively wide to get your foot into the shoe. Not a problem, but slipping in and out easily is not possible.
When walking, the sole provides a good grip and is sufficiently stiff. Even on wet ground, the shoe doesn’t slip away quickly when pushing uphill. But much more crucial is, of course, the grip on the pedal, and it is gigantic. The design of the sole is such that the pedal pins dig deeply into it, making slipping virtually impossible. Whether bone-dry or soaking wet, the DBX 3.0 sole sticks to the pedal like 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 placing it 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 cap and the raised ankle area on the inside. After various contacts with roots and stones that caused the foot to be pressed against the crank, you learn to appreciate such features even more.
In terms of breathability and ventilation, the DBX 3.0 also makes a good impression, and sweating at around 18 degrees Celsius outside temperature and sunshine was absolutely within limits. This is partly ensured by the ventilation openings on the toe upper side. These are supposed to be waterproof with a special membrane. However, when we took the extreme test at the streambed, the feet were still wet. In normal rain showers and trails with puddles, however, there were no problems, 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 Flatpedal shoe fits snugly on the foot, is robust yet comfortable, and above all conveys an enormous amount of grip. In addition, it 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 clip 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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More MTB Shoes and Helmets Tested in the Bike Blog:
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- Ride Concepts Hellion MTB Shoe Test
- Leatt DBX 4.0 Mountain Bike Helmet Test
- Adidas Five Ten Trailcross Mid Pro Shoe in Test
- Five Ten Sleuth DLX Shoe in Test
- Fox Racing Proframe Fullface Helmet in Test
