Rennie Scaysbrook | September 20, 2022
The 3/4-length Tech-Air 10 is Alpinestars’ latest in airbag technology that can now be had by the everyday rider. The Tech-Air 10 can go under any suit (Alpinestars or not), so long as it’s designed to stretch accordingly.
The electronic status of the suit can be checked via the wireless display on the belt. You can take that off and put it anywhere on the bike if you like to see it at a glance quickly.
This is a stand-alone system (hence the compatibility with multiple different suits), offering back, chest and hip protection whereas the zip-in Tech-Air Race covers only the top half of the rider’s body. The company is claiming a 95 percent reduction in impact force transferred to the body with the Tech-Air 10.
The system has 12 (nine accelerometers and three gyros) sensors to measure impact, and the airbag will inflate between 20-40 milliseconds. You can get up to three deployments per airbag (although at that point, you might want to consider rider training as an option).
CE Level 2 armor is used in the back and chest protector.
Level 2 CE protection is used in the back and chest protector, with the suit itself constructed using mixed sections of stretch spandex, stretch mesh spandex 3D mesh and lycra. You no longer need to wear an under suit if you don’t want to, and you can pair the suit to the Tech-Air app that monitors the system and battery status, as well as trip information, ride stats like GPS tracking, distance, speed, etc.
Alpinestars Tech-Air 10 Airbag System MSRP: $999.95
Standout Feature:Full MotoGP-spec protection now for Joe Blow
Excellent safety coverage- Compatible with multiple suits
Is a bit cramped when stuffed into a full road-racing suit
Alpinestars Tech-Air 10 Airbag System | Rider Analysis
When I was watching practice for the 2017 Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas, Maverick Vinales had a small get off. “Nothing out of the ordinary,” I thought. Then I looked at his suit. All of a sudden, Maverick had child-bearing hips and I realized he was wearing the latest ¾ length version of the Alpinestars Tech-Air airbag system. Fast forward five years and now it’s you and I who can have childbearing hips.
A few more wears and Rennie thinks the suit will feel a bit looser and more comfortable.
I’m a big fanboy of airbag systems, and it feels a little odd if I venture out onto the track without one these days (I’ve had some belting crashes in airbag suits and know how well they work).
The Tech-Air 10 is substantially different to the Tech-Air Race garment I’ve been wearing at Cycle News for the past five years or so. I got quite used to the Tech-Air Race, especially the one in my white Racing Absolute suit that’s been featured on these pages so many times, the bulk of which just became a normal part of the suit.
The Tech-Air 10 provides far superior protection than the Tech-Air Race does. Three-quarter length protection is a real achievement the company should be proud of, but I found the airbag to be a bit cramped when wearing it in the Fusion one-piece suit.
Before I go on, I must note that the suit was brand new and had not had much chance to break in, and when putting a full airbag undergarment in, things can get a bit tight.
On the bike I found I got used to it after a while, but I was never as comfortable as when I wore my Tech-Air Race. That’s simply because there’s so much more protection around my hips and upper legs—something I’ve never had before—so that took some time to get used to. I think after a few more wears, I’ll adapt to the Tech-Air 10, as I did the Tech-Air Race after a career of never wearing an airbag.
The fit is a very personal thing and some others on this test with me did not have this issue. However, there is absolutely no denying the benefit the Tech-Air 10 system brings. This is the best technology currently available to the buying public for racetrack safety, and even if you never venture on track, you can still have it for the road by switching algorithms.CN
