So far we've covered the majority of the Alpinestars Spring 2012 Gear lineup. Last but certainly not least, Alpinestars has released six new products designed exclusively for the female contingent of riders. Some is ladies-specific cuts of men's gear, some is available just for women. Check out our quick write-ups below and stay tuned for our detailed video reviews which will be coming soon.
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Alpinestars Women's Stella Paradise Air Jacket - built from an abrasion resistant 450D polyester shell, the Paradise Air features extensive mesh inserts in non-impact areas for a high degree of airflow in warm weather riding. Beneath this is a removable full-sleeved windbreaker that will seal out the cool air when temps are a bit cooler. Removable and adjustable CE rated Bio Armor, pockets for chest and back armor, and a 360º zip for pants adjustment round out the features of this new ladies sport riding jacket.
Alpinestars Women's Stella T-Fuel WP Jacket - a women's specific cut of the men's jacket bearing the same name, the Stella T-Fuel features an abrasion-resistant shell with a fully waterproof breathable membrane and a removable full-sleeve thermal liner. There is CE rated shoulder and elbow Bio Armor, a 360º zip and hi-viz reflective piping for nighttime riding. This is a great choice for the female tourer for cooler seasons.
Alpinestars Women's Stella SMX-3 Air Gloves - a play on the men's version with a women's specific cut, the Stella SMX-3 Air Gloves are protective and flow a ton of air for hot weather sport and touring rides. A mix of synthetic suede, goatskin and mesh, there is EVA foam knuckle protection and TPR reinforcements for added protection and style. At the base of the palm is a shock-absorbing foam panel for additional protection. Another solid addition to the short cuff options from AStars.
The Alpinestars Women's Stella SMX-2 Air Carbon Gloves represent the female version of the most popular short cuff riding glove we've ever seen. Right around the $70 price point, the SMX-2 Air Carbon Gloves offer a ridiculous amount of bang for the buck. A leather and mesh upper, synthetic leather palm with clarino reinforcements, the standout feature is the carbon fiber hard part at the main knuckle and extreme comfort and airflow these gloves provide. Designed for the sport rider in warm weather riding conditions, these gloves will be extremely popular in the female sport riding sect.
Alpinestars Women's Stella SP-2 Gloves - a gauntlet that will get you on the track, the Stella SP-2 Leather Gloves feature a full goatskin and cowhide leather construction for extreme abrasion resistance and tactile feel. There is a carbon fiber knuckle protector, EVA foam panels at the fingers and side of the wrist, and a 3rd-4th finger bridge to protect the pinky in an impact. With an extensive perf scheme, these gloves are a great choice for aggressive sport rider.
Another riding season, another slew of new gear from Alpinestars that further solidifies their reputation as a leader in the motorcycle gear industry. In this write-up, we're going to focus on the new glove choices that are part of the Alpinestars Spring 2012 Gear lineup.
Alpinestars SP-2 Gloves (2012) - a redesign of the a long-running gauntlet in the AStars lineup, the Alpinestars SP-2 Gloves offer a lot of features and functionality at an extremely reasonable price point. A mix of goatskin leather (at the palm and fingers) and cowhide (at the backhand), these gloves provide tactile feel and a ton of protection. There is a hard part carbon main knuckle protector with foam inserts at the fingers and lateral side of the gauntlet. The 3rd-4th finger bridge that Alpinestars is known for also makes its way into this glove that offers huge bang for the buck.
Alpinestars Octane-S Moto Gloves - a previous standout as a short cuff riding glove that could crossover from sport riding to supermoto, the new Octane-S has received a style upgrade but remains true to what it was in its previous life: a highly protective short cuff glove that will flow a ton of air and be extremely comfortable in all hot weather riding scenarios. A full-grain leather upper, hard part main knuckle armor, and large perf scheme are some of the standout features of the Alpinestars Octane S-Moto Gloves.
Alpinestars SP-X Gloves - one of the most protective short cuff sport-focused riding gloves in the AStars lineup has received a style makeover for 2012. The SP-X is a full goatskin leather construction with air mesh inserts to keep you cool and protected. Carbon fiber protectors are found at the main knuckle and three first fingers, all of which is backed by foam for added impact protection. Double layered leather can be found in key areas while the 3rd-4th finger bridge protects the pinky in impact.
The popular Alpinestars Scheme Kevlar Gloves from last year have gotten themselves an upgrade as we move into 2012. Rather than the denim of last year's model, the new Scheme Kevlars feature a Clarino, 3D mesh, PU and synthetic leather shell. There is still that great carbon fiber armor in addition to the Kevlar lining, but they've toned down the recklessness of the denim shell and made this into a more viable sport and touring option. Comfortable and protective, these gloves provide a ton of bang for the buck.
Each season, it seems like we're singing the same song as Alpinestars continues to create ridiculously standout gear. The same holds true for spring 2012 as we see a ton of track, street and sport gear that promises to be wildly successful. We've already done several write-ups of some of our favorites of the Alpinestars Spring 2012 gear lineup, but here we'll take a look at the new pants and rain gear that will be out in time for the upcoming riding season.
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Alpinestars Express Drystar Overpants - a textile overpant with a slight precurved design, the Express feature a 450D shell with a PU coating and additional textile reinforcements at the seat and knees. Inside, there is a fully removable thermal liner and a completely waterproof and breathable Drystar membrane to keep the elements out. CE rated armor can be found at the knees and there is a 360º zip to pair this with an AStars jacket of your choosing. Excellent for touring, the Alpinestars Express Drystar Pants are a nice new addition to the AStars textile pant lineup.
Next are the Alpinestars Oxygen Air Overpants, designed for warm weather sport and touring. Featuring a very abraison-resistant 600D polyester shell with a PU coating, the standout of the Oxygen Air Pants (obviously) is the extensive mesh paneling at the thighs that will rush air in for cooling in the hot weather. Beyond that, CE rated armor protects at the knees, and for convenience, the zippered gusset at the ankle allows you to easily accommodate boots under these pants.
Alpinestars Quick Seal Out Two-Piece Rain Suit - a new two-piece rain option from Alpinestars that is available in a burning-sun-bright hi-viz option, this is the sort of gear you want to have stowed in your side case as it will definitely save your day in the event of a downpour. The shell itself is waterproof breathable and the entirety features taped seams for absolute protection from Mother Nature's wrath. A double storm flap at the front helps seal out the elements, while the adjustability at the waist, hips, collar and ankles allow you to cinch this down and ensure that there is no flapping. Both the black and hi-viz version feature reflective piping for nighttime visibility.
Stay tuned for our detailed video breakdowns and don't miss the blogs that are linked below for a look at more of the spring 2012 AStars lineup.
Alpinestars has once again dropped bombs all over the industry by creating another series of ridiculously standout gear for spring 2012. We've already done several write-ups of some of our favorites of the Alpinestars Spring 2012 gear lineup, but here we'll take a look at the race suit and not yet featured jackets coming out in time for the upcoming riding season.
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For the racer and trackday rider seeking what the pros wear, there is no option other than the Alpinestars Race Replica Suit. Equipped with all the features that pro racers require, the Alpinestars Race Replica has one huge feature that sets it apart from the rest: the ability to retrofit with the Tech Air Airbag system, providing riders the ultimate in safety. Beyond that, you've got premium 1.3mm full-grain leather loaded with perf, CE rated race-derived armor at shoulders, elbows, knees and tibia, high modulus external TPU protectors at the shoulders, elbows, and knees, and fully replaceable sliders. This suit is the absolute top of the line from AStars.
Alpinestars AST-1 WP Jacket - complementing the brand new AST-1 WP pants that dropped last fall, the new AST-1 WP Jacket is stylish and subtle, with an abrasion-resistant shell, CE rated shoulder and elbow armor, a waterproof breathable membrane and a fully removable full-sleeved quilted thermal liner. Additional features include a 360º zip for pants connection, hi-viz reflective piping, and adjustability at the waist and wrist.
Alpinestars T-Fuel WP Jacket - the brand new T-Fuel is a unique option from AStars with a wavy stripe that decorates the chest of its brushed, PU-coated polyamide shell. Touting a fully waterproof breathable membrane, the Alpinestars T Fuel WP Jacket has CE rated bio armor in the shoulders and elbows, a removable full-sleeved quilted thermal liner and a 360º zip for pants connection. There is also reflective piping for night-time riding and adjustability at the neck, waist, and wrist. This jacket is ideal for a naked or classic rider.
Alpinestars GP Plus Perforated Leather Jacket - the GP Plus Perf jacket takes all of the features that made the GP Plus extremely popular but add a sorely-lacking feature: a full perf scheme. Beyond that, you'll find all of the features that have made the GP Plus popular: 1.3mm full grain cowhide, adjustable CE rated Bioarmor at shoulders and elbows, pockets for chest and back armor, excellent ergonomics and a snap system for the CE Level 2 Bionic Race Back Protector. Another winner in their leather lineup.
Alpinestars has released over 20 new products for this season, further cementing their brand as a force to be reckoned with when it comes to not only highly technical racing gear but also sport and street riding gear. In this write-up, we're going to take a look at the six products that we think are the true highlights of this new round of gear from Alpinestars. Stay tuned for more blogs that will feature the entire lineup, and don't miss all 20+ products by visiting our Alpinestars Spring 2012 Gear page.
First up is the Alpinestars TZ-1 Reload Leather Jacket. Featuring a classic leather jacket style that will fit into many different riding styles, this brand new jacket packs in a ton of functionality and features at a reasonable price point for a premium leather jacket. Succeeding the old TZ-1, the brand new Alpinestars TZ1 Reload Jacket features a 1.1mm full grain leather shell with a lot of perforation, CE rated Bioarmor in the shoulders and elbows, and pockets for the Bionic Chest Pads and CE rated Bio Armor back protector. There is also the new snap connection system which allows you to incorporate the CE Level 2 Bionic Race Back Protector. There is a 360º zip for pants-connection and a really slick blacked-out color option.
Next we have the Alpinestars GP Tech Air Leather Jacket. This jacket represents the new top of the line leather jacket in the AStars lineup. This jacket is the top half of the Alpinestars Race Replica Suit, which is also brand new for spring 2012. Featuring the same 1.3mm premium full grain leather used in their race suits, the GP Tech Air Leather jacket has a full perforation scheme for maximum airflow. There is CE rated GP armor in the elbows with Bioarmor in the shoulders and pockets for chest protection and CE rated back armor. There is also the snap connection system for the CE Level 2 Bionic Race Back Protector for maximum impact protection. TPU sliders are found at the shoulders and elbows along with a perforated speed hump. The removable vest liner is windbreaking and features mesh lamination for moisture-wicking.
The Alpinestars T-GPR Air Jacket is the textile/mesh version of the extremely popular GP-R Leather jacket that was released at Indy last year. This version features an abrasion-resistant 600D polyester chassis with mesh panels that are hydrophobic and resistant to soaking with water. There is CE rated Bioarmor at the shoulders and elbows with pockets to upgrade the chest and back protection. Inside, there is a water-resistant and windproof full-sleeved removable liner that will come in handy in some of the more foul times of the warmer months. There is a 360º zip to pair with your favorite AStars textile pants, reflective paneling at the sleeves, adjusters at the wrist and waist, and overall tremendous branding.
Next, the Alpinestars SMX-3 Air Gloves are a new glove option for warm weather riding. The chassis of the Alpinestars S-MX 3 Air Gloves is high-airflow mesh and goatskin at the backhand with abrasion-resistant synthetic suede at the palm. EVA foam protects at the main knuckle while TPR inserts at the mid-digits and backhand add more protection and an element of style. At the palm, synthetic suede overlays provide durability and abrasion resistance while the dense foam panel at the base of the palm provides shock absorption. We're big fans of these gloves and see them nicely complementing the rest of the short cuff warm weather gloves that AStars offers.
The brand new Alpinestars Fastback WP Shoes offer the sport and street rider with a mid-cut riding boot that is completely waterproof and breathable. A different take on last year's Fastlane, the Alpinestars Fastback Waterproof Shoes feature a shell constructed of oiled suede leather, synthetic leather and textile, backed by a waterproof membrane. There are TPR protectors at the ankles, toe and heel counters tucked under the leather and a TPU toe protector. At the top of the toes is a textured shifter panel and these boots also feature a speed lacing system with a velcro strap to keep the laces tucked down. The high-grip rubber sole features a slimmer design at the front for flex with a higher arch for support and durability.
Our last highlight of this product lineup are the Alpinestars S-MX Plus Gore-Tex Boots, which build on the innovation of last year's new SMX Plus Boots but add even more functionality. A synthetic leather upper, the standout features of these boots are the Multi Link Control system, which protects the ankle from hypertorsion, hyperflexion and hyperextension while adding impact protection, and the Gore-Tex membrane, which is the most breathable of all waterproof membranes. In addition, there is a TPU shin protector, a replaceable TPU toe slider and a brawny TPU heel cockpit. The Alpinestars S-MX Plus Gore-Tex Boots are an exciting new sport and sport touring option for this season.
Stay tuned for video reviews of all the new products which we'll be rolling out soon. Also, don't miss our other detailed blogs on the new gear. Links are below.
