2018 Alpinestars MTB Apparel, Protection and Riding Gear 1

If Gwin is down with the gear...

Alpinestars is fresh off of winning the 2017 World Cup DH overall with Aaron Gwin. While we know them well for their aggressive race gear, they have an extensive collection of diverse riding protection and apparel for the trail. Here are some Eurobike highlights.

Alpinestars Drop Pro Jersey and Shorts

New for the year, the Drop Pro jersey and shorts. This is their premium, top-of-the-line all-mountain / enduro riding series. The Drop Jersey is a very technical item featuring a nice mix of stretchy materials, a large breathing Coolmax panel in the back, anti-abrasion patching on the elbows (not necessarily meant to protect the rider but to help make sure you don’t have to throw your jersey away every time you take a digger to you elbows). They’ve gone to laser-cut cuffs which is a really nice feature, not just for the style, but also for durability. There are small reflective highlights and two main pockets that are accessed through a clever flap instead of any kind of zippers. There’s media pocket, and the back of each pocket doubles as a goggle wipe. 79.95€

The Drop Pro short offers a mix of materials; more four-way stretch around the waist, down the legs and in the seating area and a rougher-wearing material to help keep that area fresher longer. The same anti-abrasion patches seen on the elbows of the jersey are featured on the hips of the Drop Pro short. There’s a stretch panel yoke in the back that is covered by a flap keeping things discreet and protected and a small hidden pocket in the back for essentials like money or a credit card. Two zippered pockets, one on each leg, aid in additional storage with laser cut vents on the front panels for breathability. 129.95€

Alpinestars Hydration Bib

Alpinestars’ new hydration bib is a nicely ventilated piece with very stretchy materials, featuring a CE-certified back protector and space for about 1.5 liters of liquid. Three pockets in the rear will sit inside or outside of your shorts for additional storage and a premium gel chamois keeps your seat bones comfortable. All the focus has been placed on breathability and comfort and it’s on trend with carrying as much on your body as possible while doing away with the riding pack. Cost is 234.95€ and it's available now.

Alpinestars Paragon and E-Ride Knee Protector

The last highlight for Alpinestars is protection. They’ve introduced a longer version of their Paragon knee protectors so they now descend  over the shin as well. This is a Level 1 CE-certified soft sleeve-type knee guard (not pictured).

Brand new for the year is the E-Ride knee protector. The E is not for E-bike but, dare we say, Enduro. This is a Level 2 CE-certified knee and elbow pad set meaning they are up to the standard of some of their leather protective jackets. The E-Ride features a visco-elastic PU foam protector which is embedded into the lining for comfort and performance. This visco-elastic pad is designed to absorb and dissipate energy from an impact coupled with a semi-rigid outer shell to give additional coverage and impact protection. It’s a very lightweight item. The E-Ride elbow pad is a slip-on design with additional straps to tighten it down while the knee pad is a fully-open design that can be removed and installed without the need for taking off shoes. In addition to being lightweight, it features breathable mesh panels in strategic areas and should be a good product for all of those enduro style rides.

Alpinestars does offer additional levels of protection for their downhill athletes but we wouldn’t be surprised to find the E-Ride in downhill races given it's protective coverage. The E-Ride elbow is 80.95€ and the knees are 84.95€.

Visit www.alpinestars.com for info on these items and more.

1 comments

View replies to: 2018 Alpinestars MTB Apparel, Protection and Riding Gear

Comments

The Latest