Alpinestars recently introduced its 2014 MX protective gear and gave US journalists a chance to sample its products by inviting them to to ride Milestone Ranch MX Park in Riverside, California, outfitted in the new-for-2014 Alpinestars gear.
Naturally, Alpinestars’ new Tech 10 MX boots were the main attraction, as the Italian company has a rich tradition of making boots worn by motocross and off-road champions around the globe. But also on hand were the company’s new Bionic Neck Supports and Fluid knee braces as well as updated versions of the company’s Bionic jackets, the Pro and Tech. Special to attending journos was a matching Alpinestars’ jersey and pants – special because unless you’re a sponsored rider, it’s nearly impossible to acquire the gear in North America; Alpinestars’ doesn’t import its riding gear to the US.
A top choice among MX riders, the Tech 10 is a highly regarded boot already, but Alpinstars engineers have continued to refine the Tech 10 and have introduced many new features on the 2014 models. A new TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) blade prevents frontal hyperextension and offers greater flex control, while the medial-facing panel improves structural stability. The TPU calf protector plate utilizes a rear blade system to protect the heel and features a hyperextension guard. Its TPU shin plate uses a dual closure system with an internal microfiber flap, and a new buckle-closure system is self-aligning and easily replaceable. The best news is that all of this freshly designed protection doesn’t come at a premium upcharge. At $579.95, the 2014 Tech 10s are the same price as the 2013 models they’re replacing. They’re also available in in six color combinations as shown here.
Riders with archless, flat feet, might find the inner ankle brace to feel a bit snug, but that discomfort goes away once you’re riding, and the overall support and comfort of the boot is quite remarkable. As a streetbike guy unaccustomed to the pounding MX riding delivers, the Tech 10s protected tester Tom Roderick’s ankles and feet from injury during his afternoon of riding.
Wearing them in conjunction with Alpinestars’ Fluid Tech Carbon knee braces, Roderick managed a day of MX riding with no residual after-effects of aching knee or ankle joints. That’s an impressive feat considering an hour-long racquetball session usually requires a couple Tylenol to quell the soreness in his knees.
Roderick also sampled Alpinestars’ Fluid Tech Carbon knee braces and Bionic Tech jacket underneath his unobtanium (in the US anyway) Alpinestars jersey and pants.
In other words, a person can increase or decrease the space on both sides of the brace to fit a rider’s left knee differently than his right knee if said knee, for instance, has suffered damage, surgery, etc., from a past incident. Alpinestars’ literature refers to this customization as “Dynamic ErgoFit Tech (DEFT), an innovative, reduced material design construction for improved weight-saving and excellent ergonomic performance.”
The knee pivot also incorporates a tool-free poly-centric hinge system allowing for fast and easy changing of extension stops of 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 degrees to prevent hyperextension injuries.
The BNS Carbon neck brace was certainly visible but Roderick was impressed that he didn’t feel the device around his neck while riding. The same long-fiber carbon polymer technology of the Fluid Tech Carbons is also used in Bionic Neck Support (BNS) Tech Carbon neck brace to help keep weight to a minimum. Like the Fluid Tech Carbon knee brace, the BNS Tech Carbon neck brace (left) differs from the BNS Pro by virtue of its carbon polymer construction and lower price.
“We managed to reduce the weight of the BNS Carbon by 38% compared to last year’s model,” says Hess. A significant reduction considering the relative minimalism of the brace’s design.
Also, like the knee braces the BNS Tech comes with a size adapter system to customize its fit. “We try to think in systems that work together with all our gear as well as being compatible with other brands,” says Hess.
The detachable back protector of the Bionic Tech Jacket allows it to be worn in conjunction with the BNS Tech, and the jacket also features an incorporated kidney belt, removable sleeves and removable comfort padding.
All of the aforementioned items have similar yet slightly more affordable Pro versions (BNS Pro, Bionic Pro and Fluid Pro) that are constructed of different materials or forego some of the top-line features while providing nearly equal level of protection. That means that there may be quality Alpinestars gear available to fit riders on a tighter budget.
For more on Alpinestars’ 2014 MX gear collection visit Alpinestars.com.
2014 Alpinestars MX Collection
Product / Size / Price
A-8 Light Protector / One size / $139.95
BNS Tech Carbon / XS-M/L-XL / $349.95
BNS Pro / XS-M/L-XL / $289.99
Bionic Pro Jacket / S-XXL / $189.99
Bionic Tech Jacket / S-XXL / $229.99
Fluid Tech Carbon Knee Brace / S-L/XL-XXL / $349.95 (per brace)
Fluid Pro Knee Brace / S-L/XL-XXL / $399.95 (per pair)
Pro Coolmax Socks / S-M/L-XXL / $15.95
Supervictory Coolmax Socks / S-M/L-XXL / $15.95
Tech Coolmax Socks / S-M/L-XXL / $15.95
Tech 7 Boots / 5-16 / $349.95
Tech 10 Boots / 7-14 / $579.95
Tech Tool Pack / One size / $39.95
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