Alpinestars Track Vest 2 Product Review: Introduction

Introduction

This is the Alpinestars Track Vest 2. It is CE Level 2 certified. And, it is essentially an alternative to a standalone back protector (not the insert, mind) that we wear under motorcycle riding suits. The advantages – at least on paper – include better fit and added protection. Now, a standalone back protector, as the name suggests, only helps protect the spine. And, if it has a kidney belt, it prevents the fist-sized organs from moving around. 

The Track Vest 2 does both. Additionally, it also comes with chest protection. The Vest gets foam pads around the chest area as standard. And, if you like, these pads can be upgraded to CE level 1 Nucleon protectors as well. The chest protectors costs an affordable Rs 2,700. Nucleon, by the way, is Alpinestars speak for molecular foam or molecular armour which is lighter and more flexible, but equally high on the protection scale as hard armours. 

But, that’s not all. There’s also protection around the shoulder area and for the side of the torso in the Track Vest 2, which standalone back protectors lack. Sure, these inserts aren’t CE certified, but these do come with some amount of guaranteed impact absorption. And that in our book trumps having nothing at all.

As far as fit goes, unlike the standalone back protector that can ride up the back or move around under the suit, the Track Vest 2 promises to stay in place. We haven’t worn it on a motorcycle yet, but we find no reason to doubt Alpinestars claims. To quote the Italian gear maker verbatim, “The slim profiled Track Protection Vest 2 ensures an anatomically optimised performance riding fit.” Simply put, it means, a more secure fit.

Furthermore, the Track Vest 2 uses a mesh construction. And, all the impact absorbing protection including the Nucleon back protector has many holes. Or in other words, the Vest is supremely well vented. When paired with a perforated racing suit, it should work well even at MMRT, the Chennai heat notwithstanding. 

And that’s exactly what we will find out and talk about in our next report. In the meantime, more details on how much it costs and where you can buy it are listed below. 

Product Details

Seller: Planet DSG 

Make: Alpinestars

Model: Track Vest 2 

Price: Rs 18,999