Alpinestars Enforce Drystar Jacket (SOLD OUT)

These jackets are sold in US based “alpha” sizes. For most Alpinestars styles we recommend choosing the size you normally wear, but this style is running a bit smaller… in fact about one size smaller. I’ve put together a chart below that shows you Alpinestars chest size estimate for each jacket size, and I’m also including our estimate of max chest. In the very small sizes, the jackets are close to what you might expect… maybe a half size small, but in the larger sizes, they are one full size smaller (maybe even a bit more in the multi-X sizes).

The best thing to do to choose a size is to measure your chest and belly and choose a jacket size that will be big enough to accommodate both, and for most, that will put you in a jacket that is about one size bigger than you normally wear.

The taper of this jacket is about average (taper means how much smaller the waist/belly is than the chest). As you can see from the chart, the belly is consistently about 4” smaller than the chest which will be great for nearly any type of street riding. If you are a bit smaller in the waist, you can use the side adjusters to snug up the waist to suit.

Need help measuring? Get it here.

The Enforce Drystar jacket for 2016 is part of Alpinestars Black Shadow collection. This refers to the blacked out styling with minimal badging, and of course the color. The Warden Air jacket is similar to this one (in overall look and size) so I’ve borrowed a few comments from that review to help me tell you about this one. The Warden Air is a textile and mesh shell for summer where this one is a solid textile with a thermal liner for cooler and wet weather.

The Enforce is a pretty classic setup… a solid textile shell with a “fixed” waterproof breathable liner and also a removable full sleeve thermal liner. The “fixed” waterproof liner means that there is a waterproof membrane permanently built into the jacket. It is situated between the jacket’s outer textile shell and the nylon liner. It is there of course to keep water out of the jacket and make it essentially waterproof. This fixed liner arrangement is pretty “fool proof” as far as actually being waterproof because that liner doesn’t have any possible failure points like zip vents, etc. The flip side is that a fixed liner jacket can’t be fully vented. This jacket has a couple smaller shoulder zip vents in front and a couple rear exhaust vents, but with the fixed liner, any air that might pass through will pass between the fixed waterproof liner and the jacket’s outer shell. Somewhat effective, but since the air doesn’t pass through to your skin, it is less than ideal for hot weather. So the conclusion is that this jacket will be good for cold weather up to mild weather, but certainly not hot weather. LOTS of climates will be perfect for this jacket, and even in Southern states, the jacket could get some use in parts of the year. I am impressed with the removable thermal liner. It is full sleeve and seems to have a lot of thermal capability. It is thicker and nicer than most I see.

Like many newer-style Alpinestars jackets, this one is the “full meal deal” with respect to armor capability. The jacket comes with CE protectors in the shoulders and elbows (like all the others), and it has the capability to accommodate an upgrade to the chest pads and also the back pad. The jacket comes with “comfort foam”, which really is a placeholder, and is removed if you choose to buy the upgraded back pad and chest pads. Fully upgraded, this jacket will be several steps above other brand’s armor system for a street textile or mesh jacket. For an upgrade to the back protector, you can go with the insert that resides in the pocket built into the jacket, or you can use a more substantial “worn on the body” type (see links below). Personally, with a short waist jacket like this, I’d recommend the version that fits in the armor pocket (the longer, thicker choice is a LOT of back protector that may not fit well under the jacket). Pay attention to my sizing advice and if you plan on adding chest pads and/or a back pad, add about 1” to your chest measurement for the back pad and about 1/2” for the chest pads.

This jacket has external armor on the shoulder area also… it certainly looks sharp and is shaped so it is comfortable. It is thick and large enough so that it is more than window dressing. It feels like it would actually add some effectiveness to the armor package.

Other features are there, and please click through our photo gallery to see those. The styling is sharp and will certainly appeal to folks who don’t like a lot of flash or branding all over. And with the top end armor, it is one of the best textile styles we have for crash protection. :: Paul, 09-03-15