The Leatt brand has long been a name synonymous with protection for motocross and enduro riders. In the past, the South African manufacturer has dipped their toes in gear that crosses over to the ADV world but just recently it has launched an entirely new line designed specifically for Adventure Riders. One of the stand out products in the new ADV line are their HydraDri 7.5 waterproof Adventure Boots, developed with comfort in mind for long periods both on and off the bike, yet with the primary protection you need for adventure-style riding.

The main boot body is constructed with Nubuck leather with an exterior waterproofing and stain-resistant treatment, along with an internal HydraDri EVO membrane with an effective 20,000mm / 20,000g/m² waterproofing/breathability rating.

As a relatively tall boot, the HydraDri 7.5s offer good off-road protection. The ankle includes a flex limiter that helps prevent flexion and hyperextension injuries, plus 3DF foam helps guard against impacts. There’s also plenty of impact protection in the shin plate and heel, as well as a steel reinforced shank, to give the boot an overall tested and certified CE rating of prEN 13634: 2017 — the same rating found on their top-shelf motocross boots.

The HydraDri 7.5 is built to be durable too with a patent-pending SlideLock one-way locking, hook and loop top closure, along with forged aluminum buckles with a stainless-steel base. A toe box covered by protective rubber includes a top shift panel, further ensuring the boots retain their structural integrity on the trail. 

Comfort was not ignored at the expense of protection though. The mid-sole gets foam dampening, while the soft rubber sole itself gets a hiking boot pattern for excellent grip on or off the bike. A protective TPU panel allows for easy gripping of the bike around the calf area plus a roomy footbed offers comfort even for wide feet. There’s also a reasonable amount of flex in the toe and ankle to make walking around town or a short hike completely doable.

First Impressions

We recently got our hands on a pair of the HydraDri 7.5 ADV Boots and so far we’ve had them out on a few different rides to get a feel for them. Slipping them on, I instantly noticed a high level of comfort with no hot spots or pressure points to speak of. There’s a soft even pressure encompassing the foot and they feel light to walk in, without any extra bulk.

Going down the highway, a significant reduction in vibration through the foot pegs was noticed. The soft rubber sole and foam dampening mid-sole absorb or deaden most of the reverberations that can become annoying on a longer journey.

Riding in hot weather, the boots did a good job of breathing for a waterproof boot and didn’t feel swampy at all. And out on rough trails, I caught a few big rocks on the toe and ankle that I expected would hurt but the boots deflected the force with nothing more than a light thud and no painful impact.

The steel shank underfoot offers good support for standing long periods on the pegs as well and my arches never got sore. Despite the soft sole, there’s still plenty of feel for the controls too. Getting off the bike for a short stroll or setting up camp in the evening, I never yearned for my shoes because the HydraDri 7.5’s comfort lasts well beyond the ride.

There’s still more testing to do, especially in wet weather, but so far it’s an impressive offering from Leatt for their first Adventure Boot. And let’s face it, there are a lot of options on the market from reputable brands. It’s not easy to enter a competitive environment with something truly unique. Luckily, Leatt avoided the urge to come out with some gimmicky, must-have feature in an attempt to make their boots stand apart. 

What Leatt did do is put together a solid ADV boot that offers all the things you need for adventure riding at a good value. It’s waterproof, lightweight, comfortable, walkable, offers good protection off-road, and they’re durably constructed. Plus, it’s a nice looking boot at a price point that won’t break the bank, but you don’t feel like you cheaped out on a critical piece of kit either.

The new HydraDri 7.5 ADV Boots are available now in sizes US 7-13 (EU 40.5-48) and colors Stealth Black or Desert Brown, with a price of $349.99. For more details on the boots, check out the Leatt website.

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Photos by Rob Dabney and Leatt

Author: Rob Dabney

Rob Dabney started a lifelong obsession with motorcycles at the age of 15 when he purchased his first bike – a 1982 Honda MB5. Through his 20’s and 30’s he competed in off-road desert races, including the Baja 250, 500 and 1000. Eventually, his proclivity for exploration led him to dual sport and adventure riding. Rob’s never-ending quest to discover what’s around the next bend has taken him on Adventures in Latin America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and throughout the American West. As a moto journalist, he enjoys inspiring others to seek adventure across horizons both near and far.