Tested: Leatt DBX 5.0 Shorts

With the mountain biking industry booming right now, countless new equipment options are available. When looking for a decent pair of riding shorts, it doesn’t take long before one is up to their helmet strap in choices. In hopes to elevate some of the stress and confusion, we’ve gotten our hands on and tested the Leatt DBX 5.0 riding shorts and with nearly six months of abuse, here’s what we’ve found out.

Strengths

• Waterproofing
• Rear ventilation
• Pocket volume
• Tailored inseam
• Comfort

Weakness(es)

• Noisy
• Front ventilation
• Few pockets
• Rear waistline material durability

Highlights

• HydraDri three-layer shell with dirt/water repellent coating
• Fully-welded taped seam construction
• High waterproof and breathability rating of 20.000/20.000
• Hydrophilic material, reducing condensation
• YKK AquaGuard zippers and multi-row safety stitching
• Pre-curved, tailored fit with 3D shaped, non-snagging knees for comfort when pedaling with protectors
• Soft touch, durable 500D three-layer, laminated and seamless seat panel
• Brush Guard reinforcement on knees
• Rear ventilation with zipper
• Waterproof thigh pockets
• Soft touch waist lining with back gripper to prevent seat drop
• Size: S-XL and XS-XXL (Black)
• Retail Price: $119.99 USD

Initial Impressions

Pulling the Leatt DBX 5.0 shorts out of their packaging, they check all the boxes of a high-end pair of riding shorts. The material is top notch and the craftsmanship appeared to be very good with a unique fit and materials not found in the majority of riding shorts today.

Each zipper, except the fly, have a rubber strip attached to the end to ease opening and closing, even with downhill-rated gloves.

The Leatt DBX 5.0 shorts don’t struggle in the looks department, either. The Leatt branding on each side have just the right amount of pop, while not presenting a pedaling billboard sign on the trail. This is true not only for the black pair we tested, but also the two other colors offered: blue and lime.

The fabric is thinner than most shorts of the same style, and as a result their weight is more minimal. Coming in at 335 grams for the 36-inch (XL) size, the Leatt DBX 5.0 shorts are some of the lightest in their class.

Waterproofing

When Leatt made the DBX 5.0 shorts, they certainly had dark, balmy pacific northwest riding in mind.

The outer material has a waterproofing rating of 20.000/20.000, which is higher than the majority of your ski/snowboard gear. To better put this into perspective, Gore-Tex has been deemed completely waterproof by a large amount on outdoor adventurists with a waterproof rating of 28.000 — these shorts aren’t too far off. And every zipper is lined with rubber strips, which makes them waterproof. Think you’ll be completely dry now? Leatt wasn’t convinced. They decided to line every seam with fully-welded tape just to be safe. A flash flood will end your ride before these shorts will.

Although there is a huge perk for such waterproofing, there is one noticeable setback. While pedaling and moving around, the waterproof material has a crack and a crinkle similar to a hardshell snowboard jacket. This is apparent with every step and pedal stroke. Is it a complete deal breaker? No, not unless you are constantly trying to sneak out of the house for a ride with the fellas. Once on the trail, the noise does seem to blend with all the other noises associated with riding better, but never truly goes away.

Breathability

Despite the high waterproof rating of the DBX 5.0 shorts, the material offers good breathability. During long climbs in warmer desert temperatures, I never found myself complaining about them getting too hot.

One of the biggest attributes to the breathability are the two ventilation zippers found on the back of the legs. These zippers extend nearly the entire length of the thigh and are 10 inches long (XL). When fully open, air is allowed to flow easily and freely out of each leg to give you the closest experience to a real-life Corona commercial.

Although the two exhaust ports can be adequate for the vast majority’s needs, if you’re one who runs hot or just wants the best ventilation possible, having two additional ventilation zippers on the front legs would allow cool air to flow freely in and out of the shorts, cooling the rider even more. Like I said, additional vents aren’t a necessity but would make them a bit more appealing during the hottest of summer days.

Pockets

Pockets have always been a big deal for me. As an everyday rider, I prefer to bring my everyday items with me on my ride. That being said, the DBX 5.0 shorts did not disappoint.

These shorts come with two, yes only two, pockets and are found on the front of each leg. Although the number of pockets are not impressive, the size of these pockets certainly are. Measuring at 9 inches deep from the zipper with 2 inches above and 7 inches across (XL), the DBX 5.0 shorts will house virtually any cellphone no matter how “Plus” it is, along with multitools, patch kits, pump, and even snacks for the trail. The only thing holding you back from fitting anything and everything are the 6 inch zippers.

Although I have certainly loved how large these pockets are, it doesn’t take too long before I feel I’m hauling along a junk drawer full of stuff. My only criticism is possibly throwing in two hand pockets above these to offer better compartmentalization of my stuff.

Sizing & Fit

Unlike some riding shorts on the market, the DBX 5.0 offers a slimmer and more tailored fit. This was very evident when throwing them on for the first time. Normally a 33-34” waist, I opted for the 34 size. Putting this size on, I noticed that everything from the waist to the knee was fairly tight and the crotch area being the tightest. They were quickly swapped for a larger size (Size 36) that provided a bit more room for my posterity.

A feature that made sizing up possible are the elastic bands with adjustable Velcro straps found on both sides of the waist. I was able to bring the straps several inches inward on each side, this allowed a more tailored waistline fit.

Even after sizing up, the crotch area felt a bit tighter than that of other shorts. At first it felt a bit abnormal, but I grew to love it in a way — the shorts never snagged on the saddle during technical maneuvers, which set the DBX 5.0 shorts in a league of their own.

Because the majority of these shorts are made from a high waterproof-rated material, they don’t offer much stretch. Despite this lacking, don’t count the DBX 5.0 out of being comfortable. The cut of these shorts contour well with the movement of the rider. The knees are pre-shaped to match the bend of knees at riding position and offer enough room for hefty knee guards.

To increase the conformity of the shorts, there is a strip of flexy material similar to that of leggings that start from one hip and wraps around the back to the other side. Inside the waistline, Leatt placed a grippy silicone printed strip along the back that help secure the shorts in-place, ensuring the trails remain G-rated and no plumber moonlighting.

Although the perfect fit was arduous to initially find, I was able to get close by up-sizing and utilizing the Velcro straps. Because the DHX 5.0 shorts do fit slightly different than other brands, I’d strongly recommend trying the shorts on before buying so you know you can get a fit that works for you.

 

 

 

Long Term Durability

Through our testing so far, the DBX 5.0 shorts have held up very well despite one fatal flaw. The stress of being in rider position proved to be a bit too much for the stretchy material just below the back waistband. Although the stitching has stayed in place, this more fragile material has pulled apart. The rest of the material hasn’t shown major signs of wear, which is nice considering the amount of abuse they have experienced.

To increase the durability on the inside of the legs, Leatt added a 500D three-layer that has held up to the constant rubbing and friction that occurs when pedaling.

Another issue I encountered happened even before I could get the shorts on. To help you release the dual snaps above the zipper, Leatt stitched in an extra rubber tab for extra grip. When tugging on this tab, it ripped off almost immediately. Without the tab in place, unsnapping was as familiar as other shorts and getting them on/off was essentially unaffected.

What's The Bottom Line?

When looking for a great pair of riding shorts, the Leatt DBX 5.0 check many boxes riders require. The looks, waterproofing, ventilation, pockets, and snag-free fit really make these shorts shine. Although the waterproofing is a plus, the fabric crinkles like a hardshell ski/snowboard jacket and the noise could pose as an issue for some. Durability wise, the shorts had held up quite well except for the back panel. Unfortunately, such a flaw could easily sink the entire ship and render the shorts unusable down the road. The sizing/fit certainly shouldn’t be taken for granted as they tend to be a bit tighter than others. If possible, try out a pair before you buy. A lot of time and effort went into developing the DBX 5.0 shorts, and it certain shows. Outside of a few issues with sizing and an extraneous rubber tab malfunction, they have been a very good pair of shorts.

Visit www.leatt.com  for more details.

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About The Reviewer 

Lance Starling - Age: 30 // Years Riding: 17 // Height: 6'3" (1.91m) // Weight: 190-pounds (86.2kg)

Lance got his first mountain bike in 2001. Fast-forward 17 years and not a day has gone by that he hasn’t completely obsessed over the sport. This obsession has transformed him into a mountain bike guru whose love for picking apart components and gear is similar to a honey badger consuming king cobras. Nothing is left untouched. His playful riding style generally keeps him more in the air than on the ground and whatever tricks he lacks he makes up for with a good ol’ bar hump. Never at any time have consumers have had it so good and with over ten years in the industry as a certified mechanic and gear expert, Lance is devoted to helping those riders find the perfect gear to meet their needs.

Photos by Lance Starling