Alpinestars Hyper Drystar Jacket

These jackets are sold in US based “alpha” sizes, so selecting a size is basically pretty easy. The size Medium and XL jackets fit Huey and Dewey, our Fit Check mannequins very nicely! Also, we checked several sizes with a tape. We found the sizing to be comparable to standard men’s clothing sizes. So our primary advice would be to choose the size you normally wear in men’s clothing.

Alpinestars publishes a super-complicated size chart which can be used to pick a size based upon your chest and waist. We’ve condensed their chart down to make it easy to read (see below). You can use this size chart to check your own measurements against the size chart to make sure the size you select will work. Choose a size that is big enough for both your chest and belly.

The max waist of a jacket style like this is only a couple inches smaller than the max chest, so the style is very forgiving in case you have a bit of a belly, but don’t be concerned if your belly is smaller than the size listed below because this jacket has effective side waist adjustment straps.

Need help measuring? Get it here.

The new Hyper Drystar Jacket is a great jacket for the every day street rider. Like all Alpinestars jackets, this one has the complete armor capability, so even an “entry level” jacket like this shares the capabilities of even their most expensive textile jacket products. This jacket jacket has bullet proof waterproofing capabilities and a great thermal liner for cold weather, and will be ideal for mild to cold weather use and in wet weather too.

The overall fit of this jacket, I’d characterize as “standard”... not super sporty, but not an over-sized adventure/off road style either. The waist is adjustable with side Velcro tabs. This jacket along with the matching pants would make a super, low cost, high quality riding outfit (see the link to the pants below).

I mentioned the useful temp range above; a bit more about that… this jacket is equipped with a fixed waterproof liner which is between the outer shell and inner lining. The fixed liner will very very effective to keep water out, and there are a couple shoulder zippers in front and a couple exhaust vents in back to admit a bit of air, but the venting doesn’t pass all the way through the liner to your skin like with some more elaborate designs. With the vents open, I think you can achieve comfort in milder weather, but not hot weather. But this jacket does come with a removable full thermal liner which feel nice and should give lots of warmth for colder weather.

In addition to all of the above, you also get some nice night time reflectives (see our photo gallery), two zip-close front pockets in front and a waterproof breast pocket just inside the main zipper (idea for your phone). It also has a two way main zipper so you can zip the main zipper up from the bottom to give a bit more room around the waist if the jacket wants to bunch up in front of your chest when in a more sport riding postion There is also a full around zip to connect to Alpinestars pants. I also see some hard impact protectors built into the shoulders above the internal shoulder armor which looks sharp and add a bit of sturdiness. There is a lot of jacket here and one with a moderate price, but with the full compliment of protective capabilities that is unique to the Alpinestars line. :: Paul, 10-17-17

Armor upgrades: We have listed the options for upgrading the back protector and chest protectors below. The jacket comes with foam pieces installed in the chest and back protector pockets. The standard armor pieces have minimal thickness and are not rated, however it remains your option as to whether or not to upgrade them. We suggest you order the armor with the jacket and see what you think. If you are adding all the armor and chest protectors. expect the jacket to fit a little more snug. If you were between sizes in the size advice, and want to all armor, definitely choose the larger.