Alpinestars’ Tech-Air 5 Should Be a Part Of Every Rider’s Gear

There are just some meatheads out there that’ll make you wonder how the hell they got their license in the first place. And when you come across these specimens, you better have the best protection money can buy.

Alpinestars specializes in manufacturing the ultimate, high performance protective gear known to the auto industry. When founded by Sante Mazzarolo in 1963, the company designed hiking and ski boots, but soon turned their attention to the production of motocross and road racing footwear.

In the 1990s, they gradually expanded onto multiple branches of motorcycling gear, including full leather suits, jackets and riding gloves. Today, the brand’s advanced products are worn by a vast majority of MotoGP and World Motocross racers, receiving praise from casual and professional riders alike.

You may already be familiar with their Tech-Air innovation; a fully autonomous, wearable airbag system that offers full upper body protection. At the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show Asia Innovations Awards, Alpinestars were awarded as the best nominee in the ‘Wearable’ category for this revolutionary technology. Essentially, it is a life vest for motorcyclists, providing “the most comprehensive coverage of any airbag currently available”.

For 2020, the Italian manufacturer has delighted us with a new addition to this range, the Tech-Air 5. It is now compatible with virtually any textile jacket, as well as leather jackets with at least 1.6” of space around the wearer’s chest circumference.

Alpinestars claims it to “offer unrivaled upper body protection, keeping motorcycle riders safe by uniquely covering their shoulders, chest, ribs and full back, effectively and efficiently minimizing the risk of the rider sustaining shoulder and collarbone injuries.”

The crash detection algorithm was developed using “data from millions of kilometers and thousands of crashes,” along with feedback received from top MotoGP racers and the company’s regular customers. Its AI is continuously updated and improved to ensure maximum efficiency in the event of a crash.

Tech-Air 5 is equipped with an electronic system, including six integrated sensors (three accelerometers and three gyroscopes) that feed information back for the algorithm to process. If an unfortunate crash does occur, a protective airbag will inflate to its full volume in as little as 20 to 40ms.

“The impact absorption while wearing the airbag results in a decrease of the impact force by up to 95% compared to a passive protector.” To give you a better idea, it provides as much protection as 18 back protectors! Given this statistic alone, it’s no wonder Alpinestars sets the standard in the market of motorcycling gear.

Tech Air 5’s electronic system is powered by a certified lithium ion battery, keeping it going for an impressive 30 hours of riding time on a single charge. A micro USB charger “allows quick, easy and convenient recharging,” while battery life can be monitored on an integrated LED display.

Even more information, such as the system’s operational status and an “analysis of your ride that includes plotting your route on a map”, can be accessed by downloading the Bluetooth-compatible Tech-Air App. This will also keep the system’s AI up to date with the latest crash-detection algorithms at all times.

Finally, Alpinestars’ Tech-Air 5 is priced at an affordable $699.95. If you ask me, to call it a worthwhile investment is an understatement, given that it might save your life one day!

If I were you, I’d check it out right now.