Do-It-All Kit: Alpinestars 2022 First Look

Good gear can make all the difference for your riding sessions, and although it’s generally easier to kit up during summer, you should still sweat the details (pun fully intended) when selecting what to wear out on the trail. Alpinestars has done just that when designing their catalogue of riding gear, and we’ve checked out some of the 2022 apparel and protection to help you figure out if it might be right for you. Keep reading to learn more!

The Alps 8 apparel series was designed to be hard-wearing without any excessive bulk. The short features a 4-way stretch fabric that has been given a water-resistance treatment to better deal with those surprise summer rain showers and occasionally muddy trails. There are two roomy pockets equipped with high-quality zippers for storage, and plenty of adjustability at the waist to ensure a good fit. Lazer-cut ventilation holes promote good airflow, and an uninterrupted panel has been placed in the crotch area to improve comfort. The Alps 8 runs true to size, and the fabric has a sturdy yet flexible feel to it. The short was built to take some punishment, but it still manages to be very comfortable in action. Pocket placement is good, and the inseam length is just right. The fabrics are easy to clean, and the Alps 8 still looks very fresh after a handful of rides.

The Alps 8 jersey is made from several different types of fabric: lightweight panels out back and around the midriff, with harder-wearing panels used across the shoulders. Extra-breathable mesh under the armpits ensures good ventilation in this critical area. Similar to the short, the jersey gives off that durable yet reasonably lightweight vibe, and the levels of comfort are high. All the fabrics do an excellent job of dealing with moisture, and the Alps 8 jersey remains comfortable even when it gets really hot out. The cut is athletic, with an elongated lower back panel to keep your builder’s bum in check. A zippered pocket can easily hold credit cards, cash, and even a small multitool or maybe an energy gel if that’s how you roll.

The Vector Tech is Alpinestars’ premium open face helmet. Incorporating vacuum-formed polycarbonate, it offers extended protection around the back and sides to give you a little extra peace of mind on rowdier trails. A rigid frame has been embedded in the main impact liner to provide extra strength. A MIPS layer is present to minimize the transmission of rotational energy to your head in off-axis impact force scenarios. 19 vents provide airflow, while the shell thickness has been adapted in the temple area to make room for riding glasses. There is no specific rubber strip or similar to help hold a goggle strap, but the shape of the helmet around the back provides a secure spot for it. The visor can be moved to accommodate goggle storage during climbing. A rotary dial harness provides adjustability, and the comfort liner features and anti-bacterial treatment to help prevent the formation of odors.

We tested the size M, which was designed for heads from 55 to 59 cms in circumference. This tester’s head measures in at 58.5, and he was at the absolute upper limit of this size option with not one click of the adjustable harness to spare. The level of comfort is very high, and although the Vector Tech isn’t the lightest helmet out there, it is very well balanced and soon made itself forgotten in action. The airflow is good if not great – certainly enough to deal with hot days but perhaps not a match for the most ventilated options out there. On the flipside, the fit is confidence inspiring and the helmet is very stable in action. The extra space provided in the temple area means you should be able to run any riding glasses you like, although we would have also liked to see Alpinestars give us a way to store our riding glasses on the helmet for climbing. All in all, we’ve been well impressed with this helmet – if you value comfort and well-appointed safety features, you should definitely give it a look.

Knee protection is always important, but sometimes you just want the absolute bare minimum. The Paragon Lite is a pull-on sleeve with a minimalistic protective pad that was mainly designed to ward off scuffs and bruises. The main body of the protector is made from perforated mesh, while a reinforced panel provides abrasion-resistance up front. There is a very thin visco-elastic pad housed in the front panel as well, which is in fact CE certified (EN1621-1, level 1). What this translates to is the ability to absorb a certain amount of impact energy without transmitting it to the user. While this pad does pass the testing required, do not mistake it for the heavy-duty pads found in bigger and bulkier protectors.

The Paragon Lite is made for those long, pedal-intensive rides where you just want some protection against minor tumbles. In this scenario, it does an excellent job. The tall sleeve makes sure it always remains in place, and the elastic nature of the main fabric provides high levels of comfort and breathability. As an extra bonus, the Paragon Lite can be rolled up into a small carrying pouch to be easily stored in your riding pack until you need it.

What’s The Bottom Line?

We’ve tested a fair amount of Alpinestars kit over the past few seasons, and we’ve always been impressed by the quality and the fit. The 2022 MTB line-up is bigger than ever, and Alpinestars continues to work hard to provide functional and fresh apparel and protection. The Alps 8 kit we tested here is perfect for those looking for a little extra ruggedness without sacrificing weight and breathability. The Vector Tech helmet is comfortable and dependable in action, and offers a good mix of safety features and ventilation. To round out your get-up for those pedal-intensive days, the Paragon Lite knee guards offer CE-certified protection in a very lightweight and unobtrusive package. Definitely worth heading over to www.alpinestars.com to check it all out!

About The Reviewer

Johan Hjord - Age: 49 // Years Riding MTB: 17 // Weight: 190-pounds (87-kg) // Height: 6'0" (1.84m)

Johan loves bikes, which strangely doesn’t make him any better at riding them. After many years spent practicing falling off cliffs with his snowboard, he took up mountain biking in 2005. Ever since, he’s mostly been riding bikes with too much suspension travel to cover up his many flaws as a rider. His 200-pound body weight coupled with unique skill for poor line choice and clumsy landings make him an expert on durability - if parts survive Johan, they’re pretty much okay for anybody. Johan rides flat pedals with a riding style that he describes as "none" (when in actuality he rips!). Having found most trail features to be not to his liking, Johan uses much of his spare time building his own. Johan’s other accomplishments include surviving this far and helping keep the Vital Media Machine’s stoke dial firmly on 11.

Photos by Johan Hjord and Nils Hjord

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