Alpinestars Tailwind Air Waterproof Jacket

These jackets are sold in US based “alpha” sizes, so selecting a size is basically pretty easy. For most people, you would 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). The waist is adjustable with Velcro tabs. Overall this should be a very easy style to fit.

I found the taper from chest to waist of these jackets to be on the sporty side, but not so much that it won’t work for most people. So if you have a bit of a belly, please check to make sure that the size you pick will be big enough for both your chest and belly. Example: an XL is a 46” max chest and the max belly would be about 42”.

Jacket Size	Chest Range	Max Belly
Small	37.5 to 39	35
Medium	40 to 41.5	37
Large	42 to 43.5	40
XL	44.5 to 46	42
XXL	47 to 49	45
XXXL	49 to 51	47
XXXXL	51.5 to 53	49

About sizing when accessory armor is used: I’d recommend you add 1” to your chest and belly measurements if you plan on adding and back protector and one more inch to your chest if you want to add the chest armor. The Tech-Air airbag system can be used with this jacket and would be used in place of the back pad and chest protectors. If selecting the air bag system, add 2” to your chest and belly measurements before selecting your jacket size.

Need help measuring? Get it here.

The Tailwind Air Waterproof jacket by Alpinestars is a fully featured textile/mesh riding jacket for street riders. It has mesh to keep you cool and a removable waterproof liner too. Armor is standard for the shoulders and elbows and back/chest armor is optional. It is also Tech-Air® airbag compatible.

The shell of this jacket is a mix of flow through mesh material and solid textile materials. I’d say over half the front and back surface area is the mesh material, so we’ll call it a mostly-mesh jacket and I’ll recommend it for use in summer months. The jacket also fitted with a removable fully waterproof inside liner. The liner will keep you dry in case of rain, but with a mostly-mesh jacket like this it has a dual purpose. You can also use it to block the wind through the mesh panels in cooler weather. And if you layered under the WP liner, with your own thermal underwear, you could make this jacket work in cold weather too. This jacket should work well in a VERY WIDE range of temps and riding conditions.

This jacket comes standard with CE level 1 armor for the shoulders and elbows. This is standard molded energy absorbing type found in most Alpinestars street jackets. You can also add a back protector and chest pads. For adding a back protector, there are three main options (see below). If you click through to those back protectors, I’ve included a discussion with each to help you choose. For a street rider’s jacket like this, I’d steer you to the KR-Celli or maybe the KR-2i. You can also add chest armor in the jacket. One simple choice is available so click the link below. One of the KR back protectors in the jacket and the chest protectors, along with the standard elbows and shoulder armor inserts would give you great overall coverage.

As if that weren’t enough, this jacket is compatible with Alpinestars Tech-Air® street air bag system which is an optional airbag vest that is worn under the jacket and replaces the optional armor mentioned above. MORE ON THIS OPTION LATER.

An all-around connection zipper is provided so you can zip this jacket to Alpinestars pants to make a full suit. I like the overall easy fit of this jacket and the somewhat restrained looks. I think this will appeal to the non-race/sport crowd, but it’s a jacket has the same protective technology of those more sport styled jackets. :: Paul, 05-018-19

Alpinestars says: A simple, understated all-weather riding jacket, the Tech-Air® compatible Tailwind has a durable polyfabric main shell with multiple adjusters for a superior fit in the riding position and subtly integrated class leading CE-certified protection on the shoulders and elbows.