While a relative newcomer when it comes to the best mountain bike shoes, South African company Leatt has used all of its know-how to develop the 6.0 Clip shoes and it shows. The combination of a stiff sole and a well-ventilated upper results in a shoe that’s ideal for long summer days out. Along with a heft of other excellent features, Leatt has created a great product here but a minor fit objection and a somewhat lofty price keep them from scoring top marks.
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Leatt 6.0 Clip shoes - Technical details
Crafted to offer comfort and performance, the Leatt 6.0 Clip shoes have a feature list to match. Starting off at the top of the shoe, Leatt says it’s adjustable, durable and breathable by employing a mesh construction with TPU reinforcement at the toe, heel and perimeter.
Found on the upper is a single Atop lacing system that works a little differently from those from Boa or similar. Instead of pulling on the dial to release tension, Atop requires a single turn in the opposite direction to loosen things up.
As the Atop dial is the only method of closure on the 6.0 Clip, the shoe also gets a cat’s tongue or shark skin-type fabric on the heel which has been placed to minimise heel lift when walking or pedalling. Heel retention is also sorted thanks to a moulded heel shield that’s said to offer a bit of extra protection too. The lining is moisture-wicking, odour and bacteria-resistant as it uses Active Carbon tech.
Both the insole and outsole get an anti-compression EVA to offer shock and vibration absorption and there’s Leatt’s Semi-Rigid Control Flex shank for stiffness.
In terms of the outsole, Leatt has built the 6.0 Clips with its own SPD channels that come with extended travel to suit all kinds of riding. The rubber comes in the form of the brand’s RideGrip compound. Leatt says that it’s tear, puncture and abrasion resistant while the aggressive but rather shallow lug pattern delivers the grip when off of the bike.
Leatt 6.0 Clip shoes - Performance
The moment I slipped a foot into the 6.0 Clip, it was immediately clear that Leatt had approached these with a specific comfort and performance approach. Pictured here is an EU 44.5, which left me with a roomy but exceptional fit. I was left with some space for my shoes to move about without ever feeling cramped.
Winding up the Atop dials makes for serious security quick and easy to come by but I felt that I had to tighten up the dials a bit more than preferred to achieve good stability. That’s even with that clever cat’s tongue fabric at the heel. When cinched up to what I originally thought to be appropriate, my heels would lift. Tightening up the shoe did negate this issue.
However, there are a couple of niggles that come with the Atop dial, the first of which is that pressure isn’t terribly even over the foot. Towards the top of the foot, it’s at its tightest where pressure tapers off towards the toe. This is by no means a completely bad thing as it allows for the nice roomy feel at the toe but it would be good to see more even pressure distribution with the addition of another dial, or perhaps even a stretch of Velcro. The dial can loosen over time, too, though this is a very minor niggle.
Despite the fact that the cleat channels on the 6.0 Clips are extended, they’re still not terribly long. Especially when compared to some others on the market, including previously tested Leatt shoes. They are longer than others and I was able to find a comfortable position but they do not stretch back far enough to match the likes of the Fox Union Clip or the Ride Concepts Accomplice that I’ve currently got on test.
Pressure foibles aside, the shoes provide excellent comfort both thanks to the flexible mesh upper but also its footbed. While certainly stiff, the vibration-absorbing midsole results in a comfortable time on the pedals.
The level of stiffness that the Clip 6.0 shoes carry certainly impressed me. Pedal strokes were efficient, so much so that I used them regularly – even on the gravel bike, where the stiffness further impressed. Leatt calls the shank semi-rigid and I would certainly have to agree.
Although the soles on these shoes are rather stiff, walking and general messing about off of the bike is welcomed due to a well-designed outsole – and that flex that comes as a result of a mesh upper. The outsoles are cut with a contour that welcomes walking and the rubber compound, combined with the tread pattern supplies decent grip. That tread isn’t terribly deep though, so the grip is somewhat lacking in wetter and muddier conditions but again, this is a summer shoe.
The mesh upper helps with a cool air supply, keeping toes feeling fresh even on the warmest of days. This does come with a sacrifice to water resistance but this is a summer shoe, and thankfully that Active Carbon lining dries quickly, boosting long-term comfort after stream crossings or similar.
The fact that the Clip 6.0s combine well-placed reinforcement that protects key areas of the foot and a stiff sole makes them surprisingly versatile. Of course, performance is great on a mountain bike but it’s on the gravel bike where I felt that even though I was wearing MTB-specific shoes, I wasn’t lacking anything in terms of efficiency, or weight.
Leatt 6.0 Clip shoes - Verdict
At £160, the Leatt 6.0 Clip shoes are quite the outlay when looking at rivals such as Five Ten’s £140 Trailcross Clip-in shoes. Five Ten’s offering may be good for hikeabike scenarios but they’re not as stiff which is noticeable on the bike. They are comfy and breathable, too. The 6.0 Clips also compare to Five Ten’s pricier Trailcross Pros which cost £180 as they’re stiffer but the Trailcross Pros offer better security and weather protection.
They bring the heat to Specialized’s 2FO ClipLite shoes, too, which will set you back £175. However, Spesh’s offering gets two Boa dials which should lead to better pressure distribution over the upper of the shoe.
If you’re looking for a summer shoe that doesn’t compromise on performance, Leatt’s 6.0 Clip shoes are a seriously good option. They combine solid breathability and a stiff sole that anyone with a need for efficiency would appreciate. Although there’s a bit of an issue with uneven pressure, these shoes provide comfort as well as an easygoing character off of the bike.
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