Alpinestars Track Vest 2 Review: 3-month update

Gallery Introduction The Fit The Comfort Our Take

Introduction

As mentioned in the last report, we did use the Alpinestars Track Vest 2 at the MMRT in hot and humid Chennai. And then followed it up by wearing it in the dry and hot climes of Greater Noida near Delhi. In both instances, it was worn under a perforated racing suit.

The Track Vest 2 isn’t a track-only item, by the way. It can be used for touring or city riding if you prefer. But, that’s a story for our next report. This time lets just stick to the Vest’s performance on a racetrack.

The Fit

I wear a size L. And, as the pictures reveal, I am anything but fit. I am 5 feet, 9 inches tall and I weigh around mid eighties; kilograms not pounds. And the L fits me perfectly. The kidney belt helps secure the fit even more. The Track Vest 2 is also easy to put on, the zipper work fine, and the back protector for my torso height is just right; not too long, not too short.

But, if you do find that the back protector on the Track Vest doesn’t fit right, don’t fret. The kidney belt can be adjusted for height. And, it’s a simple Velcro off, Velcro on process. We do recommend that you fine-tune the height for the belt, for not only will it give you the required protection, it will improve the fit as well.

The Comfort

Now, compared to a stand-alone back protector, the Track Vest 2 is slightly bulky. So, not only does it add weight to your check-in luggage, it also isn’t as easy to walk around in as just a back protector. And, both at MMRT and at Buddh, unless I sat under or in front of a fan, it got really warm in the Vest. But, once you put on your suit, and get on the motorcycle, you can’t feel it at all.

It doesn’t feel warm anymore. It never gets in the way. And, it almost feels like your second skin. Now, I have ridden with back protectors in the past. And, depending on the fit of the suit, and how much you are crouching and moving around on the bike, these can sometimes get in the way. These can pull on your armpits, or even get caught in the base layers or the inside of the suit itself. But, there are no such hassles with the Track Vest.

Our Take

The Alpinestars Track Vest 2, as the name suggests, is a lovely thing to have as part of your track gear arsenal. It makes kitting up easy. It offers more protection. And, if you don’t have a chiseled body, it also saves you the embarrassment by covering you from all sides. Yes, it’s bulkier than a stand-along back protector. And, it’s more expensive too. It can also get warm when you are off the bike. But, we’d still say it’s worth investing in.

Product Details

Seller: Planet DSG

Make: Alpinestars

Model: Track Vest 2

Price: Rs 18,999

Photography by Kaustubh Gandhi