Alpinestars A10 moto protector long term review - best roost guard for hot weather riding.
Вставка
- Опубліковано 5 вер 2024
- Review of my Alpinestars A10 body protector which I've been using for a few years now. I think it's some of the best dirt bike body protection out there for warm weather riding.
I agree 100%. I’ve had mine since they came out. Tried the Leatt and about everything else. This is the only full protection that doesn’t roast me in the summer.
You just sold me the A10. Thank you. I have been torn between this and the Leatt 6.5 pro. I've heard the Leatts are warm. Im in maine. Our summer sounds like yours. Very humid and it can get uncomfortably hot. Thanks again. I wish you had an affiliate link because I'm going to order it right now
Glad you found the video useful! I have a couple pieces of Leatt gear I still use and like, but any jacket style body protector is just too hot for me.
Hey did you order it? How do you like it
Thank you for doing your review. I like that you had 200+ hours of use, crashed a few times and the protection still looks pretty solid.
Hahaha... I definitely crashed a "few" times ;)
Great long term review, thank you! Really appreciate your "can't be bothered to watch the whole video...". Instant thumbs up and motivated me to actually watch the full video.
I know how it is with attention spans these days haha
Thanks for the review. I was 99% sure that this was the one for me, but knowing how well ventilated it is I'm a100% certain now for riding in the middle east.
Thank for the review. Looking to buy this one. Not worried about price because it's well-designed, and it's still much cheaper than dealing with cracked ribs or other torso injury
Excellent review. You sold me on this chest protector!
Mine is still going strong. I'll probably get another one when this one wears out.
Nothing on how to keep it clean or how to clean. But a very good video, thank you.
I thought I mentioned it in the video, but I usually just spray it with some water from a hose when cleaning my other gear. It doesn't absorb very much sweat, so it's usually just a matter of rinsing the dirt off.
Good review. Appreciate it.
I agree with your opinion of this A10. Excellent piece of equipment. I cant get the shoulders to sit right. . I think I have strange shoulders
Im here for the rib coverage. . Ive broken aat least 11 ribs in my time riding.
I'm in the same boat with the shoulders. I'll be honest I don't think they do much for anything except roost and I feel the same about most shoulder armor. The only stuff that seems to stay in place is the "pressure suit" kind.
I'll be honest that I took those shoulder pieces off a year ago and haven't put them back on. Chest protector is still going strong and has at least 200 more hard hours on it since I made this review. The elastic around the rib cages is getting a bit weak, so I might have to replace that at some point, but see no reason to stop using the protector as a whole.
@DmitriyAdv I ride in the woods a lot. I've taken some pretty good shots to the trees with my shoulders. I haven't had the opportunity to test it thankfully but my old chest protector would move when I hit the ground and I'd have no protection. This seems to be more secure. I with I could deal with those pressure suits. I'm tired of going to the ER
@@64maxpowerI mostly ride/race woods, including some very tight stuff if it's fresh cut enduro trail, so I can totally relate. I also hit a ton of trees with my shoulders. I've had all sorts of different protectors and I honestly can't see how the shoulder pads would do anything other than help prevent minor scratches or maybe a bruise. The physics of smacking your shoulder onto a tree as you're riding past, pushing it back, just doesn't bode well for any sort of armor actually working. In my opinion the best protection for shoulders from tree hits is to not have tree hits... the next best is having as much muscle as possible there, so you can just kind of bounce off.
The biggest reason for a hard shell plastic chest/back protector in the woods in my opinion is to prevent catastrophic injury. Damage to the stuff inside your chest or your spine can kill you, and there are a lot of pokey sticks out there looking to stab. I've taken full blown small trees lance style to the chest and was happy to be wearing this thing. Flopped on the ground many times, onto rocks and all, again - very happy to have been wearing it. Many gouges in the plastic, but none in me :)
@DmitriyAdv yes Pokey sticks are literally the worst. I'm shocked we don't hear more injuries from them. I'm happy we don't
I have nearly died from impact. By the Grace of God I didn't tear my aorta and bleed out. My Dr made it very clear I was lucky
I feel secure as i can with the A10. If I could find a comfortable body suit I'd wear it
So set shoulder pads wherever is best and then lock it down with a few stitches? Maybe with dental floss or something tough?
The Leatt 5.5 pads fall right off just a bag from the reviews I have watched. I haven't heard anything specific about the Leatt 6.5 shoulder pads one way or the other.
I'm in central Texas an that high air flow would be an absolute must.
Thanks for posting this video.
That would probably work! I just put a zip tie around the Velcro and they haven’t moved.
great info I am in the same boat, I am roasting in my Astars Bionic Jacket, I am considering the A6 or A10
The A6 wasn’t around when I got my A10. I would have seriously considered it now, especially seeing that it’s much cheaper than the A10
@@DmitriyAdv FYI you can order most Astar items from Europe/Italy for a big discount over US prices
@@rebelliontotyrantsisobedie5602 That's a great tip, thank you!
@@DmitriyAdv I am very happy with my A6 so far!
@@MountainStorz how well does it vent?
Great info! tnx
I’m debating between this Alpinestars A-10 and the Leatt 6.5, the Leatt one looks like it provides better protection, I definitely want to get something good since I like riding my quad on the trails
They're both good in different ways.
I own a Leatt 4.5 and have friends that ride with a 6.5. The padding on the Leatt is beefier/heavier, the A10 breathes MUCH better. Coverage is pretty similar in my opinion.
Both are CE2 rated, but there could obviously be major differences is how far into the CE2 rating they pass.
Note that if you're looking at the body protector (the one with the shirt attached), it's quite hot.
@DmitriyAdv thanks again. The 6.5 jacket was one of my other considerations.
would you recommend this for downhill under jersey? no pedalling, just fast paced descending
I don't see why this wouldn't work well.
It'll be a little more visible under the jersey than soft armor, but more protective and cooler.
Whats the best elbow pads you guys have found that flow air and protect with out being too bulky?
I’ve been using the Leatt airfit lite ones. They’re very comfortable, don’t really move, and not hot. I don’t know if I’d trust them if you land on rocks a lot, but it’s better than nothing.
Isn’t it missing a piece below the shoulders? It says the shoulders are ce level 2 as well in its item description
You're correct, there is a piece that goes around the biceps. I personally never use it because I don't feel like it adds much useful protection in my kind of riding. And you're also correct that the shoulders are level 2, thanks for that!
It’s crazy you say they seem floppy when they are the highest rated shoulders in their lineup. They have other items with ce1 shoulders that look much more substantial and cover more area, but technically offer less protection… I’m torn :/
@@joeymalin I'd take coverage over level of protection any day, personally. Even CE level 1 is a good amount of protection, especially in the shoulders, which are typically not the first part of the body to hit the ground. Usually that's hands and/or knees.
It's also important to keep in mind that most serious off-road shoulder injuries (such as broken collar bones or torn ligaments) will not be prevented by shoulder armor anyway. The armor is really only there for roost, brushes against trees/branches, and to help prevent a bruise if you land on some rocks or something.
@@DmitriyAdv You’re right. They really aren’t to prevent injury, more so pain and bruising in a crash that would not have resulted in injury. This keeps making me circle back to the Troy Lee Designs short sleeved armored shirt. Completely covered in hard foam, everywhere. No CE rating. It’s cheap also only about $115. This is my first piece of protection equipment so I think I’m gonna start there and move up if I find a certain area taking more abuse than others. Thanks for your replies.👍👍
@@joeymalin I would take a look at the TLD shirt in person compared to other moto armor. In my experience, the Troy Lee stuff is pretty light duty and aimed more at mountain bike use. Low speeds, no 250lb metal beast falling on you. Probably not running into branches at 20+mph or smashing your back against rocks.
I have no idea what kind of riding you're looking to do - woods, desert, mx, street...etc... but generally speaking the important upper body bits you want to protect on a dirt bike are your chest and your back. That's where the stuff that can kill you resides. So if you're looking to save money, I'd personally recommend going with a simple chest protector like the Alpinestars A-1 - no shoulder/arm coverage, but WAY better protection for your back and vital organs.
well the only thing i dont like, that Alpinestars so much likes those yellow and red collors. ie. Bionics Tech too much red on the back...
What are your thoughts on this vs the A6. I'm really torn on what to go with
I think the A6 provides very similar protection at a much lower price. I got my A10 before the A6 was available, otherwise I would have been tempted to go that route (A6) myself
Thanks for the video. What size would you recommend for 5’9 and 180lbs?
I'm not sure as I don't have the v2. Sizing chart would be your best bet!
Can you fit the leatt 3.5 neck brace on that chest protector?
I wear a Leatt 5.5 neck brace with mine. The rear part fits where the Alpinestars one is designed to go, and I tuck the front underneath it. Ends up nice and snug and comfortable!
You wear it over jersey?
I’m asking as it’s always hot here, if I wear it under..do I need a shirt as base layer? But that would mean, moisture wicking tshirt, armor, then jersey…sounds hot to me (maybe a compression shirt as base?)
I’m thinking just over jersey (or moisture wicking shirt?).. I don’t have a jersey yet though as I’m using euc not riding dirt bike.
I got mine btw, thanks for the review, I got the white one
Correct, I wear it over my jersey. It's hot and humid here in the summer as well, and most of my riding is very slow and technical, so there is not much airflow. That's the main reason I got this one, I was cooking to death in my other armor.
@@DmitriyAdv alright, I’ll try that first, I only have shirts though, no jersey yet.
People will be looking at me lol. But then again riding an euc will do the same. Better safe than sorry
@@Cons2911 it's not a beauty contest! I'm sure people look at me weird when I walk into a gas station wearing boots, armor, neck brace...etc... but nobody has ever said anything and it never bothered me :)
@@DmitriyAdv yeah, and to be fair, some find it cool and some understand it (need for safety) I’d try it out tomorrow morning or Saturday morning. Then Maybe buy a jersey
I just buy it for my electric scooter so I think is enough ? To make 40 mph on the city of New York
In my opinion at those speeds on pavement you also want something abrasion resistant. I'd look at street motorcycle gear instead of dirt bike gear, personally.
I dont think same about durabilty. Fasteners which keep shell and padding together are rusting and breaking loose after 100hours
Sorry to hear that. Mine seem fine (no rust) after 3 years and 300 hours of use now, and I sweat a lot!
I’d reach out to AlpineStars about this.
@@DmitriyAdv Might be material, ride condition or storage issue... Found similar fasteners (lock washer with cap) from ebay, probably I will sell A10 when I get those fixed
I've had so much bad luck with all Astars gear so I'm Leatt-beliver now 😊
@@villearponen7521 Right on! Glad you found something that works for you. I have a couple pieces of Leatt body armor and while I like them, they're just too hot for slower speed riding in the midwest humidity.
@@villearponen7521 i have the same problem, can you link that fasteners pls?
I'm kind of a chunky dude, 5'8" pushing 260 lbs think it will fit for me? I checked the measurement chart it seems to work but I worry about the rib guard being generously proportioned.
The rib protection will probably be a bit marginal for you, simply because the plastic pieces are designed for someone average sized.
@@DmitriyAdv just got it in and tried it today the shoulders are a little finicky for me to fit but actually the coverage is pretty awesome
@@stoplogicmotorsports glad it fits! I took the biceps pieces off of mine since I think they really only work for roost anyway.
someone knows how is it comparing to the v2 in terms of ventilation/weight ?
I have no personal experience with the V2, but looking at the pictures the ventilation and weight should be similar.
I can wear this under a summer dainese jacket ?
Probably! Assuming you’re planning on wearing this on pavement? Personally I prefer to wear soft armor under jackets because it’s slimmer and a lot more comfortable. Having a jacket over this thing defeats a lot of the ventilation benefits, so you just end up with en tea bulk for nothing. You don’t really need hard plastic for street use either, that’s there for roost and tree limbs.
Would u say it's better than the least 5.5 pro
I don't have a 5.5, but I do have a Leatt 4.5, so I'm familiar with them. The Leatt is pretty bomb proof, which is good for protection, but can be hot.
So I'd say that the Alpinestars A10 is similar in terms of protection (both are CE level 2 in chest and back, have decent rib coverage and shoulder protection), but much cooler and lighter weight.
How is this compared a6?
The A10 is lighter, better ventilated, and has better side protection. It’s also a lot more expensive. The A6 is a great chest protector for the money and I have a couple friends using it with great results
@@DmitriyAdv thanks, I ordered the a10. I don’t ride bikes but I ride euc’s (electric unicycle). I’m aware of the danger, hopefully I won’t need the gear. I have pretty much everything except for chest and back (and shoulder too).
It’s hot in here so ventilation is a serious concern of mine. I won’t be using it everyday, but I will use it when I go a bit further than usual. I won’t need it in areas I frequent.
@@Cons2911 it breathes incredibly well. You can literally see right through it. So I think you’ll be happy there.
I think it’s really important to protect your chest area, arguably more important than arms and legs. Broken limbs generally won’t kill you and can be fixed. Damaging the stuff inside your chest and head can definitely kill you.
@@DmitriyAdv for sure, esp with the euc, not that I ride fast, I don’t but I’d rather spend on gears than hospital bills. I saw the a6 which is nice but I opted for the a10.
I initially wanted that..err I don’t know the term the ones that is tight on your body, but i thought with this one I can combine it with others and I won’t need to clean it as often compared to that suit thing.
Thank for the info, your review helps a lot