Alpinestars Faster Airflow Jacket (SOLD OUT)

This product is sold in European sizes. We measured a selection of these jackets and also tried them on our Fit Check mannequins. The overall sizing of the jackets is accurate to the Alpinestars sizing chart for overall chest size (US chest size in inches is 10 points less than the European jacket size). I’d suggest you measure yourself with a tape and get your chest size, and if you have a bit of a belly you can also check your max belly. If you know your suit coat size, that works too. Then you can use the size chart to pick the smallest size jacket that will be big enough for both your chest and belly using the chart below.

This is a sport cut jacket and fits close to the body. The taper from chest to waist is about 4” which is not as aggressive as a full-on race jacket (which can taper as much as 8” from chest to waist. With a “drop” of about 4”, the fit will be easier for those with an average to muscular build. But even if you are more trim, the jackets have well-functioning tabs at the waist so you can tailor the fit to your own waist size.

To also help with those that have a more broad chest, this model has a great deal of flexible fabric material in the underarm and behind the shoulders. And those stretch areas really do stretch a lot.

Need help measuring? Get it here.

Sizing Tip for Those Using Upgraded Armor: Adding chest or back armor to this jacket will change the fit. To account for that, I’d advise you to add one inch to your chest measurement if you plan to add either the Nucleon KR-1i or 2i back protector. Add another inch if you want to add the chest protectors. If you plan to add the KR-R racing back protector, add 2” (instead of 1” for the KR-1i/2i back pads).

Alpinestars new Faster Airflow jacket is a great leather sport jacket for use in summer weather. It comes with shoulder and elbow armor and you have LOTS of options for upgraded back and chest protectors.

The Faster jacket offers a more comfortable cut than many Alpinestars sport and race jackets. Take a look at the pictures and you’ll see liberal use of stretch material in the underarms, the inside of the sleeves, behind the shoulders and even just below the collar in back. All those stretch panels allows this jacket to flex which makes it more comfortable to wear. It is also more forgiving on fit. It will fit those with average to even stout builds where other sport styles won’t.

A good portion of the front and back of this style is fully perforated. I was comparing the perf leather on this one to past year model jackets from Alpinestars and the perforations are actual punched holes rather than just pin pricks. This will improve the flow of air a lot. With all the perf leather and then the fabric used in the arms, this jacket should be comfortable in very warm weather. I’d recommend it for mild to hot weather, which will be two or three seasons for most of us.

There are lots of armor options with this jacket. First, this one comes standard with CE armor in the shoulders and elbows which is nice stuff so there is nothing else to add/upgrade in that regard. Additional armor inserts are built into each shoulder. That armor sits above the shoulder armor insert and adds an additional layer of impact protection. Those external armor pieces also add to the sport styling of the jacket.

For chest and back protection, the jacket is supplied with pockets for both. And to take back protection one step further, you can add Alpinestars full race back protector instead of one of the back protector inserts. There are snaps near the collar to anchor the top of the race back protector. I’ve listed the optional armor choices below. Just click through to see a description of each to help you decide. I’d recommend the chest pads and one of the back protector inserts for this jacket for street use. The larger KR-R back protector is typically an accessory for track use, but if your plan is to add sport/race pants to this jacket, you may well opt for the full back protector. Speaking of pants, this jacket has the connection zipper for attachment to AS pants.

You’ll find this style jacket has similar protection features to the SP-1 Airlfow jacket, but its overall fit is more relaxed and therefore I think this style would be suited to more sport/street rather than sport/race with the SP-1. Also, I’d advise you to gravitate toward this one if you have a body shape that is more athletic or “sturdy” rather than slim/trim. You’ll find it easier to find a fit through the shoulders and waist without up-sizing to get more room. :: Paul, 05-21-18

Note: Alpinestar’s list of features, when this jacket was released was not correct. Here are issues: this jacket does not come with PE foam inserts in the back and chest, but the pockets are there for the addition of armor; the waist is adjusted with a snap closure rather than Velcro; this jacket does not have zippered vents (its perforated); the internal chest pocket is not not waterproof. We have altered the feature list to match what we see on the actual protect in house.