WE DIG
WE DON’T
ABOUT THE THERMAFLOW 6.0 JACKET
This jacket really shows that Leatt is putting in the effort to develop a quality piece of MTB apparel that not only works, but also looks good off the bike. Since this jacket is aimed at the colder days on the bike, insulation makes all the difference here. Leatt opted to use the Vivo Extreme material from brand “CLO Insulation”, a brand also chosen by Patagonia and NASA. This insulation layer is made from 100% recycled plastic bottles, which is great to see. The patented perforations help to increase breathability by 30% compared to the same material without perforations, helping to dissipate heat on days where you are working hard to get up the hill or are on the edge of needing a jacket. However, this is said not to impact how warm the jacket stays on cold days.
The shell of the jacket is made from Nylon and is nearly windproof, with water resistance thanks to a PFAS-free DWR C0 coating. The four-way stretch aids when making weird shapes on the bike. Additionally, we find the Deflextion reinforced elbows to be very smart, because we all run out of talent at some point. While there is not much publicly available information about this material, it is similar to the likes of CORDURA ® and Dyneema ®. This material is placed in high-wear zones on Leatt garments, such as the elbows of the ThermaFlow 6.0 jacket. When it comes to sustainability Leatt uses bluesign ® approved fabrics and plastic-free packaging.
The Leatt ThermaFlow jacket is offered in a wide XS – 3XL size range, which is great to see. The jacket is unisex, so the size range should offer most riders something that works for them. The sleeves are pre-shaped with a riding posture in mind, and while this may be a small thing on paper, it goes to show Leatt crossed all their T’s and dotted their I’s when developing the jacket.
The ThermaFlow 6.0 has some thoughtful features that make a difference when out in the elements. The hood features a built-in magnet that clasps to another magnet on the upper part of the back which keeps the hood secured when descending, they also ship the jacket with an extra magnet that can be placed on your helmet to help keep the hood on when the weather is at its worst. The cuffs have a tight piece of fabric that keeps wind from blowing up your arms when you are trying to stay warm. Conversely, if you are trying to shed some heat on the climbs, the ClimbVent connector – a simple button on a flap mid-way up the zipper – allows you to get extra airflow without the entire jacket flapping about at speed. Additionally, there are elastic adjustments on the waist and hood to further fine-tune your fit. Rounding out, there’s three pockets – one the left side of the chest and two standard hand pockets – which are equipped with YKK zippers.
The Leatt ThermaFlow 6.0 jacket is available in a choice of three colors, with a retail price of $252.
THE DIRT
Leatt has been impressing with their gear over the last year. The balance of price and quality is refreshing as some brands continue to push the envelope on how pricey kit can be. Sure, $250 is not considered “cheap,” but when compared to other technical outerwear with similar qualities the value is there for the “buy once cry once” crowd.
One of the first things that caught my eye were the reinforced elbows. I instantly wondered why this is not a common practice. We all crash, and we all hate putting a rip in a nice piece of gear, so this should help the jacket hold up for the long haul. In fact, I did get to test the elbows on this jacket when out filming, and sure enough there were no rips. Stoked about that.
The second thing I noticed was the overall high quality finish of the jacket’s materials, zippers, and seams. The Leatt ThermaFlow 6.0 looks and feels very well considered and manufactured. The jacket has that nice mid-weight “puff” to it that will help keep you warm, but avoids looking like a marshmallow on the trail. While I would not say this is an “ultra packable” jacket by any means, you can roll it up tight and fit it under your hip pack’s flap or in gear straps on your hydration vest. The jacket is not aimed at being light and packable, but at 480g for the size large, the weight is respectable given its warmth. While the jacket is not waterproof, it managed snowfall and some light rain well. The DWR coating did its job amicably, but heavy rain soaked the jacket eventually.
Leatt’s attention to detail and ride-specific problem solving is highlighted best with the magnetic hood and vent flap. These small additions brought solid value to the experience. If they are things that don’t matter to you, they sit quietly in the background, ready to deploy when needed. Using the magnet to attach to the back of the jacket took some finesse, but became easier with time. When using the magnet on my helmet, it was much easier to find its home. I was impressed with how well the magnet kept the hood secured, staying put on hectic descents. The ClimbVent connector did its job and kept the flapping at bay, which was especially nice on fast-paced e-bike climbs.
When it comes to fit, I would put this on the more athletic spectrum than baggy and casual in cut. Even though it fits a touch tighter, the four-way stretch did its job when asked. At 6’1” tall with a 6’3” wingspan, I was surprised to find the arm length did not create any gaps between the cuff and my gloves. This is something I commonly run into, and was relieved to have sufficient overlap to remain comfortable. The torso length was on the shorter side though, as highlighter with my Loam Wolf jersey peeking out of the bottom in the photos. It was not too short by any means, but it’s something to consider if you know you have a longer torso. I feel that with the slimmer overall fit of the jacket, I could have size up without it feeling too baggy.
The details aside, how warm did it keep me, and how well did it breathe? This is likely why you began reading this article in the first place, and all the neat details don’t matter if it doesn’t perform as you’d hope.
My initial ride on the jacket started in the parking lot at around 37º (3C) with some wind. I was quite happy with my temperature level with just one layer underneath. As we climbed up the hill, so did the temperatures, reaching 49º (9.5C) with no wind and partial clouds. While I was warm, I did not get that nauseating feeling of overheating, because the Leatt ThermaFlow 6.0 jacket breathed exceptionally well. In some of these cases, I may opt to put an insulating jacket in my pack, but I did not feel the burning desire to ditch Leatt’s offering.
When the temperatures dropped to near and below freezing, I was thankful to have Leatt’s warmest insulated jacket on. It did an excellent job at blocking out the wind and trapping the heat inside, keeping my core temperature up. The elastane cuffs stayed tight on my wrists, limiting air intrusion into the jacket. With a single long sleeve base layer, I was comfortable down to 27 degrees (-3C) on the e-bike. If you know you run cold and want to have a thicker layer under the jacket, sizing up might be the move. That said, I tried on some of my thicker base layers to test fit, and found the stretch in the material still allowed for plentiful movement. You are unlikely to fit a hoody under it comfortably, but unless you’re shredding in the the Artic Tundra, it’s unlikely to be needed. My suggestion would be to run a thick base layer and a fleece vest if you know you are going to be out in the elements braving sub 20º temps for most of the day.
All of that to say, the Leatt ThermaFlow 6.0 jacket is warm, yet surprisingly versatile thanks to the ClimbVent and material breathability. The only complaint I could find was that the fleece-like cover for the top of the zipper would grab my beard when running the hood up and the draw strings synched down. A minor complaint, but worth noting for fellow fuzzy-facers.
The Wolf’s Last Word
When doing these reviews, I always try and find something wrong with a product, as nothing is ever perfect. But damn, Leatt hit it out of the park with the ThermaFlow 6.0 jacket. It is an incredibly easy bit of kit to recommend. 
Price: $252
Website: Leatt.com
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ABOUT THE WOLF
Cole’s den is in Spokane WA, where he relocated a few years back. Growing up in the lush, loamy playgrounds of the PNW, his soul is forever tied to steep, rooty descents and that unmistakable squish of perfect dirt. After 19 years of shredding, Cole’s been on every kind of rig out there. Once a die-hard fan of big travel bikes, he’s now on a quest for the mythical short-travel do-it-all machine. And yes, skids may be for kids, but this middle-aged manchild is here to prove they’re also for anyone who loves having a damn good time.
Rank: Professional Amateur
Size: 6’1” / 185cm | 170lbs / 77kg
Social: @adventuresbycole
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