TESTED: Alpinestars Drop 2 Jersey and Shorts
The Alpinestars Drop 2 range has been designed to fit well and perform when pushing your limits on the trail.
All photos by Tim Bardsley-Smith
Taking their name from the English translation of the Italian mountain flower ‘Stella Alpina’ from the town of their origin, Alpinestars are a a brand that need no introduction. Starting their life in the early sixties knocking out top quality ski boots it wasn’t long till they turned their attention to summer endeavours on two wheels, quickly gaining a reputation for well made, great looking stuff.
The Drop 2 kit is part of Alpinestars 2015 range. Designed for the long, technical days out required by the the Enduro format of racing, the Drop 2 range has a strong emphasis on fit, ventilation and range of movement.
The Drop 2 Jersey
The first thing you notice about the Drop 2 jersey is that it is super snug. Almost as snug as a race cut road jersey but with a zero-restriction range of movement, plenty of air flow and sharp casual look. As a result of the snugness and an elongated back section there’s no bunching up under hydration pack straps and almost no flapping-in-the-wind noise was noticeable at speed. It was pretty difficult to get off though, even when dry, and I struggled to get it off without scissors. That’s a small gripe though when compared to such great all day comfort.
There’s a sneaky little conduit to run your headphone cable through, a terry cloth for wiping sunglasses that’s positioned away from your sweaty torso keeping it useful all day and easy-access velcro pockets to keep your stuff from bouncing all over the place.
Orange is not for everyone, including me although I did come to like the full neon, and it is available in a warmer but more subtle black.
Drop 2 Shorts
Designed to compliment the Drop 2 Jersey, the shorts of the same name feature a wide range of adjustability, great ventilation and some versatility for rides of varying length.
The removable liner short, featuring a Noosfera chamois is one of the better liners I’ve ridden in, but is easily removed so that the shorts can be worn over your favourite knick or bib short for longer days. The Medium shorts supplied to me were very slightly too large, but there’s a velcro adjusted waistband that took up the slack nicely and there was no drooping or being pushed down by my pack.
Forward facing, zipp enclosed vents let you get some air where you need it and stop it when you don’t making the Drop 2 shorts pretty useful for most of the year. I like my trail shorts with nice deep pockets, not so much for on the trail but for the fore and aft mission to the servo for barbecue shapes and chocolate milk and the Drop 2 has plenty of room for wallet and phone. Pockets are nice and secure too so an hour ride after work will see your car keys stay with you.
I hit the ground a few times, pretty hard, in this kit and it came through unscathed aside from a couple of nice stains on the radiant orange. Either a bit of Napisan or buying this kit in a darker tone would solve this nicely though.
Price: Shorts – $179.95 – Jersey – $79.95
From: Monza Imports – go ask your bike shop
