- Made by rider protection experts Leatt.
- All-weather riding gear. The AirTour range is available for hot weather.
- Extensive testing with adventure atheletes has got the formula just right for Adv riding.
Adventure riding requires that you to be ready for anything, and that includes what the weather might throw at you. The Leatt DriTour 7.5 adventure gear has been developed with the knowledge of adventure riders and atheletes who know what good gear should be like. Paul has been running the gear for almost 12 months through summer and winter to check out whether it can handle Kiwi conditions.
Tester: Paul | Distributor: Whites Powersports | Price: Jacket $1,249.99 / Pants $999.99 | Check It: www.leattmoto.co.nz
A look at the extended weather forecast before heading to the launch of the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 in Aussie wasn’t exactly convincing. It could be dry but could be wet. And the temps were near frosty at night but peaking in the early 20s during the day. And with a demanding ride promised, picking what gear to take was going to be tough.
Then came the call from the team at Whites, who told me the new Leatt Adventure gear had arrived and would I like to try some? Well, the timing couldn’t have been more perfect, as a look on the Leattmoto website showed the Leatt DriTour gear was going to be my best option for an outfit which could handle a bit of everything.
Leatt, if you don’t know the company, began by producing neck braces for dirt bike riders when Dr. Leatt witnessed a fatal crash in 2001. Since then, he’s made it his mission to produce truly protective motorcycle gear, and it’s easy to see that plenty of thought has gone into this new adventure gear. And with Kiwi international adventure legend Chris Birch switching to it recently (he could wear anything he wanted!), you know it’s got to be pretty good.
Good Times
The Himalayan launch was the perfect occasion to test the new Leatt gear, although it was more the ventilation than the waterproofing I was concerned with. As it was, the venting is excellent, especially once you open the large panel at the rear, with good flow from the front and out the back. The adjustable straps meant I could get the fit just right, while touches like the handwarmer pockets and the stretch cuff material simply make it a nice jacket to wear. The neck closure was also nice and soft – there’s nothing worse than the neck of a jacket chaffing all day long!
Having so much protection in the jacket adds to the weight, and when I first picked it up, I was a bit surprised. But when you realise there are the excellent Leatt protectors in the chest area and the back fitted as standard, I was happy for a bit of extra weight and the added protection rather than a lighter feeling jacket and no protectors. And I did try them out, with one hill climb just a fraction too far, resulting in me toppling off the Enfield and tumbling back down the hill. The DriTour gear took it all in its stride, with the only sign the Leatt gear had been off-road the amount of Aussie dust it was coated in. But with a quick bang it was all gone.
Other Adventures
Since that launch I’ve worn the Leatt DriTour gear on many different adventure rides including a tough week riding to Hawkes Bay and then having three intense days on the Yamaha Adventure Ride. Once again, the temperatures ranged from cold in the mornings and up in the hills, to hot and sunny in the afternoons or when struggling to get the Yamaha Ténéré World Raid up a particularly slippery slope. And while wearing more ventilated gear like Leatt’s own FlowTour gear or even their MX gear would give more ventilation, it’s the combination of decent crash protection and the ability to handle whatever weather I happen to be riding in that has made the DriTour gear my go-to when I have an adventure bike to test.
After many rides and getting it seriously dirty on a number of occasions, a visit to the washing machine is all it has taken so far to get the Leatt gear looking as good as new. There are no wearing marks on the inside of the knees where I grip the bike, and the waterproofing still seems to be up to the job.
Leatt has done what they always do and produced another well-designed, stylish and extremely protective set of motorcycle gear. If you’re in the market for new threads for your adventure missions, make sure to check out Leatt at your nearest stockiest or head to Leatt Moto.
FEATURES
Heavy Duty
Leatt has their own on-site testing facility which is used to put their products through rigorous impact simulations and also to test durability. The outer material of the DriTour is designed to be heavy-duty when it comes to protection, with the Leatt Ripstop mainshell supplemented with Superfabric in the critical impact areas. But weight has been kept to a minimum with the waterproof membrane laminated to the inside.
Waterproof
The Hydradri Dri+ liner is a 3-layer waterproof and breathable membrane (35,000mm) which repels water while still allowing moisture (i.e. sweat!) to escape. Having it laminated to the inside of the outer shell reduces weight and also reduces water retention in the outer fabric, meaning you’re less likely to feel like a sponge after a day in the rain.
Protection
The 3DF protectors feature energy-absorbing foam, which makes the jacket soft and flexible to wear while also reducing forces during an impact. CE Tested to Level 2 rating, the protectors also feature holes to maximise airflow. Protectors are located in the shoulders, elbows, back and chest (Level 1), which is really reassuring.
Vents
Keeping cool is important when riding, especially when your adventure riding gets more, well, adventurous. The two front vents open and fix back out of the way, while a huge panel and the back unzips and rolls out the way to offer massive through-flow.
Pockets
The front pockets feature magnetic closures and are waterproof. A nice touch is the handwarmer pockets, with a felt lining there to keep your hands warm. A large rear pocket is also waterproof, as is the vertical phone pocket on the chest.
Inner Jacket
The inner thermal liner zips in to keep you warm. But when removed, it looks like a casual puffer jacket, meaning one less thing to pack if you’re touring.
