Designing the Ultimate Mountain Bike Shoes – With Chris Leatt

July 21, 2020

Leatt set out on a mission to design the ultimate mountain bike shoes for flat pedal and clipless riders. But how do you go about that, what are the key elements of a great riding shoe, and what does it take to put it all together into a package that you can sell? Well in this episode, I sit down with Leatt’s founder, Chris Leatt to find out just that. On the surface of it, a riding shoe seems like a pretty simple thing, but I’m sure we have all experienced good and bad versions, showing that it’s not as easy as it looks. Have a listen to this episode and find out how Leatt approached the challenge to make the ultimate mountain bike shoes.

You can find out more over at leatt.com and you can check them out on Facebook @officialleatt and Instagram @leatt_mtb

Supporting Partners

Nukeproof are also supporting this episode of the podcast. I’ve got their bars, stem, pedals, headset and bottom bracket on my new bike and it’s all really good quality stuff. I’m particularly impressed with their Horizon V2 carbon bars, which are a really nice shape and aren’t too stiff. You can check out everything they have to offer over at nukeproof.com and for you Downtime listeners, Nukeproof are giving away a set of their new Horizon wheels worth £400, in whatever size you need for your bike. To be in with a chance of winning, just head over to downtimepodcast.com/nukeproof and answer the ridiculously easy question before the end of July.

Leatt are supporting this episode of the podcast. Leatt are famous for their neckbrace which you may have heard me talk about with Chris Leatt in a past episode of the podcast. They are now a head to toe company making everything from braces and helmets, to apparel, protection and shoes. Head to leatt.com to check out what they have to offer. I can highly recommend their Airflex Pro knee guards. They are the best soft shell knee pads I have ever used. For a chance to win a pair of their Aaron Chase signature shoes, just head to leatt.com/acshoe and fill in your details before the end of July.

Podcast Stuff

My webstore is BACK! It’s all brand new, with new designs, lower prices and faster shipping. All products are 100% organic, shipped without plastics, and made with a supply chain that’s using renewable energy. So check it out now over at downtimepodcast.com/shop. The new t-shirts are super soft and a lovely fit, so treat yourself and help the podcast at the same time.

For everything video, including my live podcast shows, some riding videos, bike checks and more, subscribe over at youtube.com/downtimemountainbikepodcast.

Are you enjoying the podcast? Then don’t forget to subscribe. It’s free and means you’ll get every episode delivered to your device as soon as it’s available. All the links you need are at downtimepodcast.com/subscribe. You can find us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google and most of the podcast apps out there. While you’re there, why not join our newsletter. Then you’ll get our Weekend Warm-Up email every Friday.

If you want to share tips and advice with other podcast listeners on anything mountain bike related, you can join our Facebook group, head to www.facebook.com/groups/mtbperformance/ request permission to join the group and get involved!

Our back catalogue of amazing episodes is available at downtimepodcast.com/episodes

Photo – Leatt