Review: Alpinestars Tech-Air Off-Road
After nearly a decade riding with name-brand jackets stuffed full of D3O armor, I made the switch to wearing an armored shirt system and never looked back. The advantages in safety and protection from direct impacts is without debate, as these armored shirts sit tight to the skin and don’t shift in a fall like armored jackets may do.
I spent a few years riding with an EVS armored shirt before switching to Leatt. Now, however, I don the Alpinestars Tech-Air Off-Road.
Not only does this armor feature top-notch protection from impacts, it has an all-different ace up its sleeve—air.
This is the world’s first dedicated off-road airbag system with three riding modes and user-replaceable gas canisters. The Street mode is intended for road riding or commuting, adding the benefit of airbag deployment if you’re rear-ended.
With a simple press of the LED-lit button on the bottom left of the shirt, it switches into Enduro and Rally modes when you get on the dusty trail. Three accelerometers and gyroscopes alike are integrated in the engine control unit (ECU) to provide accurate crash monitoring performance and active airbag protection in a variety of riding scenarios.
To elaborate on my opening statement, wearing a separate armor system like this is primarily meant to protect from direct impacts. There is no abrasion protection in areas where armor doesn’t directly cover your skin if you slide out.
This single factor determines many riders’ decisions on this kind of system, but for me, the Tech Air Off-Road is the best of both worlds. On slower rides through the woods, I simply wear a jersey over the airbag shirt for maximum breathability, as abrasion is less likely in this scenario.
For longer rides or road touring, I wear an external jacket, such as the Mosko Moto Basilisk, which provides all the abrasion protection I need. Although this armor covers much of your chest and back, its perforated design allows for decent airflow in hot and muggy conditions.
Admittedly, the shirt may feel bulky or restrictive to some riders, especially before they get used to it. It also adds another potentially difficult-to-remove layer when you take a break or go into a restaurant.
How It Works
But what happens if you take a tumble? The Tech-Air Off-Road is rated to deploy with an average inflation time of 52 milliseconds (depending on the size of the particular airbag).
There are no strings attached, meaning it doesn’t rely on a cable attached to your bike. The shirt senses a crash remotely and deploys before you even know it’s happening.
Airbag coverage on chest, back, shoulders and neck provides ample upper body protection, and each vest allows for two deployments. After that, you can order replacement canisters or send the shirt in for refill, depending on local restrictions.
Each vest is certified for up to four airbag deployments before having to replace the airbags themselves, provided they haven’t been damaged. If you fall off the saddle one too many times, rest assured you’re still well protected from impacts.
As with any high-tech electronic device, the Tech-Air Off-Road requires charging. Alpinestars elected for a simple USB-C port on the mode selector button, with lights showing charge status.
The Tech Air Off-Road provides a fully-charged battery life of about 30 hours and a recharge time of approximately four hours. On an extended ride, plan to charge it every other day.
If you plan to bring the airbag shirt along in your suitcase, simply open the back panel and flip the switch to enter “Transport Mode.” It ensures the system won’t accidentally deploy as it gets tossed onto an airport luggage conveyor belt.
The main zipper has a built-in sensor, so it only turns on and activates the system once you zip it up. Although it’s not required to use the airbag, the Tech-Air App enables Bluetooth connectivity. This comes with the ability to monitor the operational and battery status of the system, analyze your ride, and switch between riding modes on your phone.
Through months of real-world use everywhere from the hot deserts of southwest Texas to the pouring rain of the north Georgia mountains, this vest has performed admirably. Although I’ve (thankfully) not yet tested the deployment, a fellow rider has—and it worked just as expected.
With the Alpinestars Tech-Air Off-Road’s already-impressive armor protection, benefits of airbag technology, and ease of use, the real question is why you’re not already wearing one.
Alpinestars Tech-Air Off-Road Airbag System
$999.95
Sizes: S-XXL