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Leatt MTB Trail 1.0 Shorts Review

An inexpensive, athletic cut riding short that has good features but so-so construction
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Leatt MTB Trail 1.0 Shorts Review
Credit: Leatt
Price:  $70 List
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Manufacturer:   Leatt
By Nick Miley ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  May 15, 2023
74
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#11 of 17
  • Comfort - 20% 7.0
  • Fit and Pedal Friendliness - 20% 7.0
  • Features - 20% 8.0
  • Durability - 20% 7.5
  • Style - 10% 7.0
  • Protection - 10% 7.5

Our Verdict

While the Leatt Trail 1.0 certainly checks all the boxes for a good mountain bike short with a friendly price tag, its construction is of dubious quality. The shorts are busy and lack the subtle, utilitarian style that we have come to favor. That said, if the shorts fit well, they are worth a spin.
REASONS TO BUY
Good features
Decent protection
Inexpensive
REASONS TO AVOID
Weird fit
Marginal construction
Big logos

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards  Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Mountain Bike Short
 Best Buy Award
Best Bang for the Buck
 
Price $70 List
$52.49 at Amazon
$67.95 at Amazon
Compare at 2 sellers
$64.99 at Amazon
Compare at 2 sellers
$80 List
Check Price at Backcountry
$65.00 at Backcountry
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Bottom Line This is a modest, low-cost, tighter-fitting short targeted at general ridingWith a smart look, high-quality construction, and useful features, this model is the best we've testedA quality all-mountain short that offers a high-quality feel but has minimal waistband adjustmentSimple and effective trail riding shorts that are comfortable and pedal-friendlyIf you have to ride in cut-of jorts, these stylish shorts made from stretchy "performance denim" work better than your old jeans
Rating Categories Leatt MTB Trail 1.0... Troy Lee Designs Sk... 100% Airmatic Specialized Trail S... Ripton Cut Off Jort
Comfort (20%)
7.0
8.5
8.0
8.0
7.0
Fit and Pedal Friendliness (20%)
7.0
8.5
8.0
8.0
7.0
Features (20%)
8.0
8.0
7.0
8.0
5.0
Durability (20%)
7.5
8.0
8.0
7.0
7.0
Style (10%)
7.0
8.5
8.0
8.0
8.0
Protection (10%)
7.5
8.0
8.0
7.0
6.0
Specs Leatt MTB Trail 1.0... Troy Lee Designs Sk... 100% Airmatic Specialized Trail S... Ripton Cut Off Jort
Shell Fabric 94% polyester, 6% elatane 87% polyester and 13% spandex with 4-way stretch “Aero Tech” micro ripstop panels Polyester elastane stretch blend VaporRize woven fabric 7.5 oz "razor thin performance denim" — 72.5% cotton, 3.5% elastane, 13% recycled cotton, 11% recycled polyester
Inseam Measurement (med or 32" waist) 13.75 13.5 12 13.5 9
Number of pockets 3 2 2 2 4
Weight (grams) 234 grams 291 grams 250 grams 224 grams 294 grams
Weight (ounces) 8.25 oz 10.25 oz 8.8 oz 7.9 oz 10.35 oz

Our Analysis and Test Results

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


leatt mtb trail 1.0 shorts - the trail 1.0 is a feature packed short that is priced to move...
The Trail 1.0 is a feature packed short that is priced to move. However, we had some trouble with the cut and the construction is a little shoddy.
Credit: Nick Miley

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.

leatt mtb trail 1.0 shorts - all told, the trail 1.0 is such a bad short, it just isn't as good...
All told, the Trail 1.0 is such a bad short, it just isn't as good as some of the other models in the class.
Credit: Nick Miley

Nick Miley