PressCamp '16: Alpinestars

As a company well recognised for its deep motocross roots, 50-year old Alpinestars has been cross-pollinating with the cycling world since around 2004. With a focus on rider protection, and a comprehensive product line based upon class-leading elbow pads, knee guards, back protectors and neck braces, it made sense for Alpinestars to apply their knowledge to the mountain bike market. During the noughties, they spent significant R&D time developing protection and apparel for the Honda G-Cross World Cup team with the likes of Greg Minaar and Brendan Fairclough. Obviously this was a process that Alpinestars didn’t want to rush, as it wasn’t until 2010 before they released their first off-road cycling collection.

Since then, Alpinestars has become recognised for producing high quality and high value products for hard-hitting mountain bikers. With protection at their core, the Italian-based company has its very own test lab on site to help test and verify any new products under development. They also have a growing athlete roster that includes the likes of Aaron Gwin and Mick & Tracey Hannah, who help to develop new product ideas and provide invaluable real-world feedback.

In 2017, Alpinestars will release its latest collection of mountain bike apparel and rider protection. We had a chance to get a sneak preview of some of the gear making its way Down Under.

The Paragon Vest is one of the newest and most exciting products from Alpinestars. It’s a vest with built-in back protection, and it’s designed to be a lightweight and slimline garment that is easy to slip on underneath your riding jersey. The vest uses an open mesh construction for breathability, and pairs it to a flexible back protector that can be removed from the internal sleeve.

• Removable and replaceable Level 1 CE-certified ergonomic shaped back protector.
• Open mesh stretch panel construction designed for slim fit which enables top to be worn under jersey.
• Extremely lightweight, stretchable mesh main construction for maximum breathability and ventilation.
• Back protector compartment pocket can also house hydration pack.
• Water tube loop on upper left shoulder.
• Double cut-out on back panel for water tube passing.
• Side pockets with internal padding
• Claimed weight: 420 grams.
• Available in sizes S – 2XL.

What’s neat about the Paragon Vest, is that you can also fit a hydration bladder up to 3 litres in capacity into the same sleeve. With more and more riders looking to ditch their backpacks for better freedom of movement on the trail, the Paragon Vest makes perfect sense for those who are riding a little faster and a little harder than when they first got into mountain biking. Given that a lot of trail bikes are losing any provision for a water bottle cage to be mounted on the frame too, that kind of flexibility to carry water elsewhere is a huge plus. That said, you can run the vest with or without the back protector, and with or without a hydration bladder, so you can adapt it for your specific needs as required.

The back protector itself is CE certified to motorbike standards, so it’s a high quality piece of kit. It uses an EVA foam construction, with multiple layers and a tailored design to help increase flexibility on the riders back. Under impact, the EVA foam is designed to absorb energy and disperse it over a broader surface area, so you’re less likely to sustain an injury to your back or spine. You should also be able to see from the photos that the back protector also uses perforations for increased ventilation, though for really hot days when you’re out on the XC bike, you can always remove the back protector entirely if you feel the risks are lower. Interestingly, it shares a similar cut and a very similar feel to the back protector used in Camelbak’s KUDU backpack, though I haven’t been able to confirm whether that’s a coincidence or otherwise.

Also in Alpinestars Paragon range is a line of lightweight elbow and knee pads. Using a Lycra sleeve construction, the pads utilise an EVA foam pad that is both flexible and lightweight. Compared to heavier duty DH pads, the Paragon elbow and knee pads are designed to offer much greater flexibility while pedalling, with sufficient protection to shield your joints from getting whacked by a tree or rock during a crash. They’re ideal for technical trail riders and those who simply want protection without having to feel and look like a stormtrooper.

In terms of weight, a pair of elbow guards comes in at just 250 grams for the pair, which is damn light. There are lighter pads on the market, but the Paragon still offers decent protection, which is CE certified to European standards. The EVA foam pads work just like the back protector in the Paragon Vest, helping to absorb impact energy from a large whack on the trail.

• Extremely lightweight, durable and flexible guard constructed from breathable stretch mesh for comfortable, close fit.
• Highly convenient and time-saving slip-on design with elasticated cuffs and silicone printing to prevent slippage and help keep protector securely positioned.
• Pre-shaped, ergonomic design for optimized performance in various riding positions.
• Strategically positioned fabric reinforcements for abrasion resistance and added durability.
• CE-certified protector offers targeted coverage and protection in key areas.
• Protector pads are perforated and secured in mesh pocket for excellent breathability and core cooling.
• Protector pads are contoured to offer compressive, anatomical fit.
• Flat inward-facing seams for improved comfort and ‘second skin’ feel and fit.
• Available in sizes XS – XL

The Paragon Knee pads share a similar construction, with a stretchy mesh sleeve and a large EVA foam pad on the front of the knee that extends partway down the shin. The lightweight sleeve helps to maximise flexibility and breathability, to make them as comfortable as possible. Because as we all know, if pads aren’t comfortable to wear, you simply won’t wear them. Ultimately, the less you notice them whilst riding, the more likely you are to reach for them every time you grab your helmet for a ride.

The new Alpinestars range will be landing in Australia in early 2017, though we’ll keep you updated as pricing and availability information comes to hand. For more info on the Alpinestars range and to find your nearest stockist, head to Monza Imports.