Alpinestars Review 2026: Riding Gear, Sizing and Value

Alpinestars is a motorcycle protection brand first: airbag systems, helmets, boots, riding shoes and textile and leather jackets, with a smaller line of hoodies, hats and tees for wearing off the bike. This Alpinestars review pulls together what independent reviewers reported after a long adventure trip, daily commuting and close inspection of jackets and boots, then checks it against the brand's current US prices and return rules.

Nobody on our team wore this gear for this article, so every real-world detail below is credited to the reviewer who reported it.

Quick verdict

Alpinestars makes sense if you want certified protection that still feels comfortable off the bike, from riding shoes you can walk in all day to waterproof touring boots that reviewers describe as warm and dry in foul weather. It is less suited to riders on a tight budget, riders who hate guessing at sizes, or anyone outside the continental US who hoped to order straight from the official store.

Pros and cons

What reviewers like

• Third-party CE certification on riding footwear, not just the brand's own claims
• Drystar touring gear that kept a rider warm and dry through rain and strong wind
• Shoes and boots comfortable enough for long walks after the ride
• Jackets with room for layers and a reputation for holding resale value
• Clean, low-key styling that works off the bike

What gives them pause

• Sizing swings between categories: some gear runs small, jackets reportedly run large
• One reviewer found the Stated shoes' soles slippery on smooth pavement
• You pay return shipping, and boxed items carry repacking rules
• The official store ships only within the continental United States
• Premium prices, especially for airbags and race helmets

Alpinestars prices at a glance

The catalog spans a very wide price range. The table lists current US prices from Alpinestars' own pages next to prices independent reviewers quoted.

Airbags and the Supertech R10 line are race-level purchases. For street riders, the more useful benchmark is jackets: Gothic Rider Mag calls the models around $400 the sweet spot, since they bring proper leather and armor without paying for race-replica extras most commuters never use. The casual merch is priced like ordinary branded streetwear.

Protection: what the certifications mean

Ultimate Motorcycling notes that the Stated riding shoes carry CE Category II EN 13634:2017 certification, which means an outside lab certified them instead of the brand signing off on itself. They also earn a higher Level 2 score for stiffness and twist resistance around the ankle, which is what protects you in slow tip-overs and parking-lot drops.

For jackets, Gothic Rider Mag reports CE Level 1 armor in the shoulders and elbows as standard, plus a pocket for an optional back protector. The same review says most street jackets meet EN 17092 Class A and use cowhide around 1.2-1.4mm thick, depending on the model (Gothic Rider Mag). Ratings vary by model, so check the label on the exact jacket.

Fit and sizing: where Alpinestars runs small or large

Sizing is the most common pain point, and the sources disagree, so go category by category.

Textile touring gear and boots tend to run small. The RIDE Adventures reviewer, who wears a standard women's size 6, needed a Medium in the Stella Andes V2 jacket and a Large in the matching pants, and she wore a men's 7 in the Belize boots against her usual women's 8.5 (RIDE Adventures). Motorcycle HQ adds that several boot and shoe models fit a little small and suggests checking the size chart or going up half a size.

Leather jackets reportedly run large. Gothic Rider Mag says Alpinestars jackets come out about one size bigger than Dainese and close to Rev'it, with extra room through the shoulders and chest. Its advice is to drop one size from your Dainese size.

The practical takeaway: measure yourself, use the size chart for the exact model, and order from a store with easy exchanges. That matters because Alpinestars.com charges you for return shipping (more on that below).

Alpinestars product reviews

Alpinestars Stated Riding Shoes

The Stated is a high-top riding shoe built for around-town riding in jeans. Ultimate Motorcycling's reviewer found it comfortable for a full day of walking, with a flexible accordion fabric upper that hides dual-density ankle protection. Feel at the brake pedal and shifter was excellent, even on Harley-Davidsons with stiff gearboxes, and the toe area kept heavy shifts from hurting.

Two things bothered the reviewer. Getting the shoes on takes effort: you unzip a hidden diagonal zipper, loosen the laces and hold the tongue, or your foot drags the tongue into the toe box. And the soles slid on a smooth patch of pavement at a stop, which is not what you want at a red light. The shoe comes in US sizes 8-14 in a black, gray and white colorway, at $220 a pair (Ultimate Motorcycling).

Alpinestars Belize Drystar Boots

The Belize gets the warmest praise in the source set. The RIDE Adventures reviewer rode two-up for roughly 2,200 miles through Chile and Argentina and called the oiled-leather version warm, waterproof and comfortable straight out of the box (RIDE Adventures). When the bike stalled in mud and she fell with her ankle trapped under a pannier, the boots held, and she then walked about three miles in them without discomfort.

Motorcycle HQ highlights the easy two-buckle polymer closure, plus the TPU shin and calf plates and CE certification to EN 13634:2010. The downsides: it sits at the upper end of boot pricing, and several Alpinestars boots reportedly fit slightly small.

Stella Andes V2 Drystar Jacket

The Stella Andes V2 is a women's textile adventure jacket with a waterproof Drystar membrane. On the Patagonia trip, it handled sunny days, cold sideways rain and winds the reviewer put at 60 mph, keeping her warm and dry (RIDE Adventures). She liked the collar's pin-back tab, the adjusters placed where you need them, and the taped zippers and flapped pockets for electronics.

The catch is sizing: it runs small, so most riders should size up. Her only real complaint was about the matching pants, which she felt needed a stretch panel at the waist for all-day comfort. This verdict rests on one long trip rather than several reviews.

Alpinestars Supertech R Boots

The Supertech R is a track and sport boot with a TPU-reinforced top gaiter, a micro-adjustable ratchet strap and replaceable sliders. Motorcycle HQ's cons: black only, a steep price, and a heavy, bulky feel on long days. There was not enough independent detail to score it.

Jackets: weather range, break-in and resale

Gothic Rider Mag positions most Alpinestars jackets as three-season gear. In its account, they work best from roughly 50-75°F with sensible layers; below 50°F you need an extra insulating layer, and above 80°F they get uncomfortable even with the vents open (Gothic Rider Mag).

New leather starts stiff. Gothic Rider Mag expects 2-4 weeks of regular riding before the jacket softens and shapes to you, and it estimates that well-kept Alpinestars jackets keep 60-70% of their original price after two years. Treat that as one publication's estimate rather than market data.

Shipping, returns and warranty

The official store's policies are fairly strict, so read them before ordering an uncertain size.

• Return window: returns must arrive within 30 days of delivery, unworn and unwashed, with tags and undamaged packaging; once you generate a packing slip you have 14 days to send the item (Returns page).
• Return costs: you pay return shipping unless the item is defective or wrong, and the Returns page says refunds exclude the original shipping cost. Sale items can only be exchanged.
• Packaging: helmets, boots and shoes returned without their original product box face a 10% restocking charge, and refunds are processed within 7 business days of arrival (Refund policy).
• Other retailers: Alpinestars.com will not take back products bought elsewhere.
• Shipping: orders over $99 ship free, others pay a $9.99 flat rate, and delivery usually takes 1-5 days, but only to the continental US, with no Alaska or Hawaii (Shipping & Delivery).

On warranty, the policy pages say Alpinestars guarantees its products against manufacturing defects and will refund or replace defective items. None of the pages we read gives a warranty length, so ask before buying if that matters to you.

Is Alpinestars worth it?

For most street riders, yes, if you shop the mid-range. The reviews credit Alpinestars with certified protection, comfortable footwear and weatherproof touring gear, and the RIDE Adventures reviewer said she would buy the same kit again. Value weakens at the extremes: entry-level jackets lose much of the appeal, and race helmets and airbags are for riders who need them.

Buy it if you commute in jeans and want certified riding shoes, you tour in mixed weather, or you want a jacket that should hold some resale value.

Skip it if you need a winter jacket, you cannot easily try on gear and dislike paying return shipping, or your budget points you to a cheaper brand.

Alternatives to Alpinestars

Gothic Rider Mag names three directions. Dainese offers similar protection at comparable prices with a slimmer European cut, a better match if Alpinestars feels roomy. Rev'it brings strong value and clever features, though its styling leans technical. For tighter budgets, Scorpion and Sedici cost about half as much, with weaker build quality and shorter lifespans (Gothic Rider Mag).

More reviews from Simple Life Reviews

If you are comparing premium gear and apparel, our Nobis parka and puffer review looks at another cold-weather outerwear brand, and the Waydoo eFoil and Subnado review covers a very different kind of motorsport. For smaller purchases, see our Closemate sock review and the Ouros Jewels lab-grown diamond review.

Our ratings

Overall: 4/5, because independent reviewers back the brand's certified protection and comfort, from the third-party CE rating on the Stated shoes reported by Ultimate Motorcycling to Belize boots that held up in a real fall, while inconsistent sizing, paid returns and premium prices hold it back.

Alpinestars Belize Drystar Boots

Alpinestars Belize Drystar Boots: 4.5/5. The boots were warm, waterproof and comfortable from day one, CE certified, and credited with protecting a rider's ankle in a real fall on the trip RIDE Adventures described; sizing runs a little small.

Alpinestars Stated Riding Shoes

Alpinestars Stated Riding Shoes: 4/5. Ultimate Motorcycling found certified protection, excellent pedal feel and walking comfort, held back by awkward entry and a sole that slipped on smooth pavement.

Stella Andes V2 Drystar Jacket

Stella Andes V2 Drystar Jacket: 4/5. It kept the RIDE Adventures reviewer dry through a long, wet, windy trip with smart details, but it runs small and the evidence comes from a single review.

FAQ

Do Alpinestars jackets hold their resale value?

Generally yes. Gothic Rider Mag estimates that well-kept jackets keep 60-70% of their original price after two years, helped by the brand's name.

Are Alpinestars jackets suitable for year-round riding?

Most are three-season jackets. The same review says they are comfortable in mild temperatures with layering but need extra insulation in the cold and get hot in summer heat even with vents open. Winter riders should add a dedicated cold-weather jacket.

How does Alpinestars jacket sizing compare to Dainese or Rev'it?

Gothic Rider Mag says Alpinestars jackets run about one size larger than Dainese and close to Rev'it, so drop one size from your Dainese size. Textile touring pieces like the Stella Andes V2 have been reported to run small, so always check the chart for the exact model.

What's the break-in period for a new Alpinestars leather jacket?

Expect 2-4 weeks of regular riding before the leather softens and the armor stops pressing, per Gothic Rider Mag.

Do Alpinestars boots and shoes run small?

Several models do. Motorcycle HQ says some boots and shoes fit slightly small and suggests going up half a size, and the RIDE Adventures reviewer went down to a men's size from a larger women's size in the Belize boots.

What is the Alpinestars return policy?

You have 30 days from delivery to return unworn items with tags, you pay return shipping unless the item is defective or wrong, and sale items are exchange-only (Returns page). Helmets, boots and shoes must go back in their original box to avoid a restocking charge.

Does Alpinestars.com ship outside the continental US?

No. The official store ships only within the continental US and not to Alaska or Hawaii, with free shipping on orders over $99 (Shipping & Delivery). Riders elsewhere should use a local Alpinestars dealer.