Often most associated with motor sports, Alpinestars has been making a concerted effort to get into mountain biking in a big way. The coming year continues that trend, and while it’s a bit hard to think about next winter before this one is even over, that’s the realities of the product cycle. For fall/winter 2016 Alpinestars has updated a few of their popular pieces as well as added entirely new products that will leave you with fewer excuses to get outside, all in typical Alpinestars style…
When it comes to the cold, Alpinestars breaks their gear down into two basic categories – dry cold and wet cold. On the dry cold side, the new Milestone 2 uses a new fabric that is lighter than previous jackets but with more thermal properties. That fabric is built into a stretchy windproof soft shell that is water repellent but not water proof. Built with large under arm vents with two zippers, you can control where the opening is and how big. The jacket includes an adjustable helmet compatible hood and adjustable cuffs, hand warmer pockets, and their new forearm zippered pocket.
Shown here on the waterproof All Mountain 2 jacket, the forearm pockets are big enough to store a phone – if you’re ok with your phone at the end of your arm while riding. Of course you can put other things in there too, like gels, maps, etc.
Designed to be fully waterproof, the AM 2 moves from the 2 layer fabric of the current All Mountain jacket to a new 3 layer fabric. The new fabric makes it a bit softer and more flexible while providing excellent waterproofing with fully seam sealed construction and water proof zippers and storm flaps. New under arm vents go diagonally from the front to the back allowing for ample ventilation even with hydration packs, and the hood is again designed for use with helmets. A clever little touch can be seen at the front and back of the hood where mesh air vents up front allow fresh air to enter, and exhaust vents at the rear of the hood should help prevent the hood from being blown off your head while riding. Scheduled for a release in late August, the All Mountain 2 will sell for $239.95 in three colors.
The perfect companion to the All Mountain 2 jacket in cold weather, the new All Mountain 2 pants will probably be a hit with the fat bike crowd or anyone looking for winter riding pants. Designed for dry cold, the pants feature a 2 way stretch main fabric that is water repellent with reinforcements where it’s needed. There are large zippered air vents at the thigh and a multi stage adjustment system at the cuffs. To keep the pants out of your chain there are two velcro systems (they call the upper velcro a knee adjuster) as well as a zippered leg to help get them on. Other features include an adjustable waistband and zippered pockets with the pants selling for $144.95 in three colors.
When heavyweight jackets aren’t a necessity, Alpinestars will offer the new Descender 2 – a super light weight jacket that packs into its own saddle bag. Constructed from a waterproof rip stop fabric, the jacket is technically water resistant since it is not seam sealed. Features include a fleece lined collar, air vent back yoke, and a rear pocket that doubles as the storage compartment. At $89.95, this could be a great addition to your kit for those times when you aren’t sure what the weather has in store. Sold in three colors, one of which is a bright red for those looking for more visibility.
