If riding in even the wettest weather is your thing, Leatt’s Hydradri 3.0 Mono Suit is the perfect companion. The mix of its effective waterproof fabric and range of weather-resistant features make it a top contender for some of the best waterproof kit on the market, but be sure to check the size chart before you buy.
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Leatt MTB HydraDri 3.0 Mono Suit - Technical Specification
The 3.0 Mono Suit 3.0 is part of Leatt’s latest range of weather protective kit and the cheaper option in the two model range. This particular suit is built with the brand’s HydraDri three-layer waterproof fabric. This offers a waterproof to breathability rating of 10k/10k. The fabric includes a soft backing for comfort against the skin, and the outer gets an additional DWR coating.
It’s easy to assume that a one-piece mono suit would struggle with ventilation but Leatt has included a number of fabric-backed vents. There are two large vents just behind each arm, two at the front of each thigh, and another on the chest. These can be opened and closed thanks to YKK Aquaguard zips. When it comes to ventilation, the 3.0 Mono Suit comes with the ClimbVent connector as found on the MTB Trail Insulated jacket. Essentially, it’s a simple strip of fabric that attaches one side of the main zip to the other, so when the zip is open, it doesn’t go too far.
The 3.0 Mono Suit is rich with features. It comes kitted with Leatt’s famed magnetic hood system, which keeps the hood pinned in place when it’s packed down or in use. The latter is aided by a stick-on magnetic that you pop on top of your helmet. Leatt claims the hood will fit over both half shell or full face helmets, and when the suit is fully zipped up, it offers weather protection right up to the chin.
Then there’s a whole host of adjustments built in, including an internal waist belt, Velcro outer waist adjustment, adjustable ankles, and a fully adjustable hood. As for the main zip, it’s a double zip, so when nature calls, it’s easily answered.
Elsewhere around the suit, there are abrasion-resistant patches and three pockets, two on the thigh and one chest pocket that’s home to a handy microfiber wipe.
Leatt MTB HydraDri 3.0 Mono Suit - Fit
As a one-piece garment, it’s naturally tough to fit all body proportions, but Leatt has made a fine effort to offer a size to suit nearly everyone. The 3.0 Mono Suits sizes range from S to 3XL which is a pretty comprehensive size range.
On test, I got the medium, though I sit in between the medium and large sizes. I opted for the smaller of the two, fearing that a large would be too long, but the Mono Suit’s sizing isn’t quite as simple.
In terms of arms and legs, sizing is ideal, leaving no patch of skin uncovered, and if anything, the legs may be a little too long as there’s some bunching towards the ends. But where the fit doesn’t quite suit me is the shoulder width and torso. It’s by no means the wrong size, and 99% of the time I’ve been absolutely comfortable, but when hunched while pedalling, these areas have felt a little tight.
Again, it’s a tough job to suit proportions in all sizes, so even with my long torso, and short leg build, the fit overall is rather good. There’s plenty of space for body armour too.
Leatt MTB HydraDri 3.0 Mono Suit - Performance
After taking the HydraDri 3.0 Mono Suit home, my eyes were glued to the sky, waiting for the blackest cloud to roll through and dump its worst. Thankfully, it didn’t take long and the Mono Suit almost immediately impressed.
When combined with the Leatt 7.0 HydraDri Flat shoes, the 3.0 Mono Suit is a puddle-smashing force to be reckoned with. Its fabric shrugs off even the worst weather and I’ve traversed some deep stream/river crossings without the slightest ingress. 10k/10k protection isn’t the highest rating in the world, but it’s been more than enough for the deluges I’ve experienced while wearing the suit.
However, the addition of storm cuffs as seen on the DBX 5.0 jacket, would provide extra coverage around the wrist and hands, while accommodating long-cuffed winter gloves better.
Thanks to its breathability properties, it’s not a garment that’s reserved solely for horrific weather. With its top wet weather performance cemented, I took the Mono Suit out on some drier and warmer days just to see how it held up when it’s not ridden through the extremes, and while it takes a bit more vent management, it held up really well.
As mentioned before, it’s easy to assume that a mono suit would become a bit ‘boil in the bag’ but to my surprise, that never really happened and that’s mostly thanks to the simple ClimbVent strap. It allows the rider to drop the zip as far down as they like without the chest panels becoming unruly when the wind ramps up. This creates a big vent running down the centre of the suit and employs the rear vents to exhaust moisture and excess heat.
Any kind of garment that comes with a good range of pockets instantly wins a few brownie points in my book and the 3.0 Mono Suit nearly earned them, though the pockets at the legs aren’t particularly deep. When riding with my phone in one of them, it was tight and the shallow pocket made the phone dig in. This isn’t a huge issue, as the chest pocket is vast, but it would be great to see some deeper pockets here.
Things got tight in a couple of areas, but for the most part, it’s been unnoticed. During descents, the Mono Suit has allowed for all of the manoeuvrability I’ve asked for. Though through serious over-the-back-of-the-bike moments, the narrow shoulders have pulled the sleeves back a smidge. This isn’t a regular occurrence though, and if it is, sizing up is a viable option.
While its wet weather protection is particularly attractive, peeling off one wet and muddy layer to reveal dry and clean kit below is a luxury that traditional jackets and trousers can’t offer. The look of the mono suit may have your mates on the phone to the fashion police, but you’ll be feeling pretty smug during the post-ride pack down as you undress to find yourself clean, dry, and with only one thing to chuck into the wet bag.
Leatt MTB HydraDri 3.0 Mono Suit - Value and Verdict
On the subject of value, the HydraDri 3.0 Monosuit is an interesting proposition. Because it’s a one-piece suit, it can’t offer the all-out flexibility and ventilation of a jacket and trousers, though it does also perform when the weather isn’t so harsh.
Compared with trousers and jacket, the price is rather attractive. Using Leatt’s current range as a reference, the HydraDri 4.0 jacket is £170 and the HydraDri 5.0 trouser is £210. So if you’re only after a full wet weather garment, the HydraDri 3.0 Mono Suit is a viable option as it is £100 cheaper.
Touching back on one-piece suits, Endura’s MT500 Waterproof One Piece II is £440, but it’s designed a little differently and offers a more traditional jacket-type front that’s attached to the trouser at the rear.
Then there’s Dirtlej, of course. The Dirtsuit Core Edition will set you back around £310. The benefits to this are removable legs, so you can up the airflow with shorts instead of a full trouser, and its fabric offers a slightly higher 18k/13k waterproof breathability rating. Its cuffs look better designed to cover the hands too. Though, for £30 extra, if you’re looking for ultimate wet weather protection, it doesn’t offer that much more.
If you’re looking for something that can keep you bone dry through the worst of the weather, or the deepest of puddle smashes, the Leatt HydraDri 3.0 Mono Suit is an effective option that’s not too harsh on the wallet. It’s breathable and seriously waterproof, with plenty of ventilation options. However, it's worth making sure you thoroughly check the size chart or even try before you buy to get the fit right.
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