Leatt MTB Trail 1.0 Shorts Review

The Leatt Trail 1.0 is a decent all-around riding short that is a little too tight in the legs for bigger riders. The stitching on the seams is messy, which poses concerns about quality. Yet, the price is right, and the functionality speaks to peddle-focused riding.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

The Leatt Trail 1.0 mountain bike shorts have decent ventilation with small panels on the inner thigh, which can be described as better than nothing. The synthetic fabric feels nice and smooth to the touch, with a microfiber pile inside that wicks moisture and decreases friction. The overall fit is on the tighter side for our bigger testers, especially in the legs. However, smaller riders appreciated the fit. The waistband is fairly low-profile, but the hook on the waist closure is a bit bulky and may rub some the wrong way. These shorts do not come with a chamois liner.

Fit and Pedal Friendliness

The Leatt Trail 1.0 shorts sport a tighter cut with tapering legs that may feel a little snug on taller or bigger riders and, at the same time, can be a bit baggy on shorter riders. Yet, the 4-way stretch polyester blend construction material moves well with the body. The shorts are more pedal-oriented with a 13 3/4" inseam and 19 1/2" leg opening circumference. The pockets are well placed, but the tighter fit pushed the contents against the leg in a noticeable way that may irritate some on longer rides.

Features

The Leatt Trail 1.0 has all the key mountain bike features. For example, the shorts have three pockets, two on the hips and one on the thigh, that fit a cell phone. Although these hip pockets are not ideal for putting one's hands in, they are decent for everyday carries, and the cellphone pocket is spacious. The vents on the inseams are average but not exceptional because they are on the smaller side. The waistband has a microfiber liner but lacks a grip strip to help keep it in place while riding. Yet, the low-profile Velcro waist adjustments are discreet and effective. Finally, while the unique hook and snap waist closure is cool, the hook is a little bulky, posing concerns about potential rubbing.

Durability

The Leatt Trail 1.0 has a robust hook and snap waist closure system that uses a stretch panel in lieu of a zipper. The Velcro waist adjustment tabs seem quite sturdy. YKK zippered pocket closures also speak to a robust build. However, we have concerns about these shorts as the stitching and welded seams have loose ends here and there, suggesting a hasty construction. The shorts have heavy, serged, double stitching that generally holds up well. The 94% polyester, 6% elastane construction material is medium weight, supple yet tough, and capable of enduring rough interactions with rocks and such.

Style

The Leatt Trail 1.0 has a busy design. However, they are suitable for off-trail use based on the functionality of the pockets, which effectively accommodate everyday carriers like keys and a phone. They have a bit of flair and are available in black, lava, and pistachio. Yet, the Leatt logo on the back left and front right thigh is reminiscent of an athletic short. This sporty look is furthered by the tighter fit and longer inseam. Unfortunately, the narrow leg openings cause the material to stack on top of the knee pads (as opposed to overlapping them), sometimes rendering an unsightly pad gap. All told, these are not the sharpest-looking model.

Protection

The Trail 1.0 shorts offer decent protection with their knee-length design. Still, their narrow leg opening caused the material to bunch up above the knee pads on some of our testers. The material is heavy enough to withstand interactions with rocks and tree branches. However, these are decidedly not gravity-oriented shorts.

Should I Buy the Leatt MTB Trail 1.0 Shorts?

Given the low cost of the Leatt Trail 1.0, we can not say these are a poor selection. However, we had trouble with the fit, and the sloppiness of the construction is a little concerning. All told, there are better options to consider.

What Other Mountain Bike Shorts Should I Consider?

We highly recommend looking at the Troy Lee Designs Skyline if they are within your budget. These shorts fit the same do-it-all niche as the Trail 1.0, but the cut and features were more to our liking, and there were fewer concerns about durability.