My old cleat shoes were too worn, so I switched to leatt.
The leatt 4.0 cleat shoes (Link) are quite satisfactory and I think I will wear them for a long time.
These are the shoes that I briefly showed you in the picture in the post “Cleat pedal and shoe compatibility (knee pain)”.
I would like to share the feeling of using leatt 4.0 and information.
한국어 : (Link) / english : (Link)
Table of Contents
Fit – leatt 4.0
If you look at the leatt reviews, it is said that the leatt has a wide foot width. I bought it after seeing a lot of reviews like that, but it’s not as wide as I thought.
It’s about the same level as the shoes I’ve worn before.
Of course it’s not narrow. If you look at the Shimano company, there are products with wide feet. It is narrower than the sole of the shoe.
So, it’s definitely wider than normal, but a little narrower than the general wide-shaped last.
In my opinion, if normal is 1 and wide is 2, it has a width of about 1.8.
Cleat Adjustment – leatt 4.0
I bought this shoe because I liked this. Compared to general cleat shoes, the advantage is that the cleat adjustment range is very wide.
As for the cleat shoes I’ve worn before, the cleat adjustment range was limited, such as Shimano for beginners, Northwave, Shimano DX (Shimano DX SH-MP66W), GIRO BERM, and Bont Riot MTB.
There was a part that I had doubts about.
When pedaling with a flat pedal, the pedal is positioned in the center of the foot than expected, but why are the cleats of the cleat pedal biased forward?
I bought it because I wanted to know how it would feel if the cleat was closer to the center of my foot. It was not as comfortable as I thought.
So, the position I eventually found was the extent to which I moved the cleat toward the heel most in other existing cleat shoes. So in the end, I didn’t set the cleat for the purpose I bought these shoes for, but I’m still satisfied. If I do more downhill later, I can move the cleats back.
Walking – leatt 4.0
One of the features emphasized by the manufacturer is walking comfort. It was actually very comfortable to walk. The part where the cleat is fastened is also a little deep, so the cleat doesn’t touch the floor when walking on a flat floor.
The soles of my feet are soft, so it’s nice to walk on them.
Velcro – leatt 4.0
The part I liked when wearing the existing Shimano DX was the part where I covered the shoelace part with a Velcro cover so I didn’t have to worry about the shoelace finish.
leatt 4.0 shoes are a bit inconvenient where you have to tie the shoelaces and then carefully insert the shoelaces into the velcro. However, it is an advantage to be able to hold it more strongly using Velcro.
However, since the shoelace alone can be tightened sufficiently, there was no need to use Velcro to hold the foot more.
So I think it would be comfortable to cover it like Shimano DX.
There is a part I was worried about with Velcro. I thought it would be very uncomfortable if the shoelaces were stuck to the velcro. However, I gave it a higher score for the cleat adjustment range and bought it.
The velcro part was amazing. Doesn’t stick to shoe laces. Besides, the entire area of velcro sticks together. Usually, Velcro is divided into a soft side and a hook side, right?
That’s why they don’t stick together in the same form. The velcro of leatt 4.0 just sticks all the parts together. However, it doesn’t stick very tightly. It’s powerful enough, though.
This part is highly commendable.
Shoelace – leatt 4.0
I’m thinking about changing the shoelaces.
The shoelaces are so tight that it is difficult to loosen the shoelaces when taking off the shoes. I think it would be okay if the shoelaces were a little frayed, but basically, when putting on and taking off the shoelaces, it doesn’t feel like they are pulled like noodles. Just pulling the tongue of the shoe won’t loosen it.
There are some advantages to that as well.
If you want to loosen the front part of the foot and hold only the center part of the foot, pull the shoelace only from the middle part, and you can wear it without tightening the widest part of the foot.
Cleat Shim – leatt 4.0
Since the cleat fastening part is a bit deep, when using Shimano general cleat pedals, pressing down with tolerable force will not allow the pedal to engage.
Cleat shims are essential. Cleat shims are included when purchasing shoes. If this is missing, contact the seller. Required.
If you insert one of these cleat shims on each side, it goes well with Shimano pedals.
The rubber sole of the shoe touches perfectly, and when you release the cleat, you can release it without much resistance.
shoe insole – leatt 4.0
Anti-bacterial treated insoles are included. I do not believe in anti bacterial treatment. Even if there is an ingredient that blocks bacteria, I don’t think that function will remain after being drenched in sweat a few times, getting wet in the rain a few times, and crossing a stream a few times.
The insole is quite thick. If you think these shoes are a bit small for your feet, changing the insole to a thin one would be a good choice.
Volume (cushion) – leatt 4.0
The shoes are pretty fat. I have big feet, but I have a size 44 and set the cleats out so my feet touch the crank when I put my feet in. I have no particular complaints. If you set it to the center, you can ride without difficulty.
And I think that those who choose these shoes will buy them knowing this kind of volume and cushioning.
etc – leatt 4.0
There is a protective cushion inside the peach bone. The shoes I used to use are also of this type. I love this look. It’s actually pretty protective.
The finish on the inside of the shoe to protect the inner peach bone is excellent. This is my favorite part.
결론
My big toe is shorter than my middle foot. The actual size is 270mm. leatt 4.0 shoes are ‘US 10’, ‘UK 44’. It’s 280mm.
I tend to buy shoes with thick wool socks to wear in winter. It fit perfectly.
Actually, I have been interested in this brand’s shoes since 3 years ago, but I have already bought the shoes, so I have been thinking a lot.
I agonized a lot between leatt 4.0 and Shimano’s AM9 product. If you buy Shimano SH-AM903 (Link), you will be satisfied, but I chose leatt, which has a larger cleat adjustment range, and I am satisfied.
leatt 4.0 has a “boa dial” version. I just bought it in shoelace form. After the experience of sand pebbles entering the “Boa Dial” and not working, I avoided shoes with “Boa Dial”, so I just chose shoelaces.
leatt 4.0 was not as easy as I thought when untying the shoelaces (as I wrote above), I should have bought one with a “boa dial” (Link)… I regretted it for a while.
Even if “Shimano DX” or “Shimano AM9” is in the form of tying the laces, when you take off your shoes, only the tying part is untied, and when you take it off, it is loose and comes off.
Overall, the finish is excellent, the width of the foot is appropriate, and it is a shoe that I like in many ways.