Alpinestars GP Plus R v4 Rideknit Leather Jacket

This product is sold in European sizes. We measured a selection of these jackets and also tried them on our Fit Check mannequins. The overall sizing of the jackets is pretty much what we expected as compared to other Alpinestars jackets. The measured chest of these jackets run at just about 10 points smaller than the Euro size, so a size 56 Euro has a max chest of about 46”. If you have experience in fitting recent models of Alpinestars sport jacket, you’ll find this one fits comparably.

This jacket, being a sport style, is cut to fit snug and close to the body, but the taper from chest to waist isn’t as severe as you might find in more track oriented jackets. In this jacket, the taper from the chest to the waist is about 2”-3”. Those with a belly need to be careful about size selection to make sure the jacket will be big enough for both the chest and belly. To choose a size, I’d suggest you measure yourself with a tape and get your chest and belly size. Then you can use the size chart to pick the smallest size jacket that will be big enough for both your chest and belly using the chart below. If your waist is smaller than the “max” indicated in the chart, you can still have a good fit here by using the side waist adjusters.

Sizing advice for adding option armor: Adding chest or back armor to this jacket will change the fit. To account for that, I’d advise you to add one inch to your chest measurement if you plan to add a back protector before making your size selection from the chart. Add another inch if you want to add the chest protectors.

Need help measuring? Get it here.

The GP Plus R V4 RIDEKNIT® Leather Jacket from Alpinestars is a sport or racing jacket meant for those looking for good protection with a race fit. This, as the name implies, is the forth version of this jacket, or series of jackets. Overall construction of this jacket is primarily a combination of 1.3 mm “race grade” leather and RIDEKNIT® material. RIDEKNIT® is primarily located in the inner arms and does wonders for flexibility and comfort while maintaining high abrasion and tera resistance. Also included in the construction is Alpinestars composite stretch technology, A-CS® Plus, stretch panels on the torso for exceptional breathability, comfort, and freedom of movement, as well as delivering a lighter weight and a lower profile than a traditional leather accordion panel (the A-CS® Plus panels are about 9% lighter than leather panels). Another key advantage of using A-CS® Plus is its superior stretch performance; A-CS® Plus has about 30% elongation, and offers an increase in tear resistance of 300% compared to HRSF (Hyper Resistant Stretch Fiber), and an increase in cut resistance by 600% versus leather. Overall this combination of materials and the included impact protection has resulted in a CE Level AA rating. Speaking of impact protection, included are CE Level 1, Nucleon Flex Plus, shoulder and elbow armor, a pocket for a back protector as well as pockets for divided chest protectors. Additionally you get dual density DFS shoulders as well as multiple padded areas. The GP Plus R V4 RIDEKNIT® Leather Jacket is also Tech-Air® 5 and Tech-Air® 3 Ready.

Looking at comfort and convenience, I said this once before and ill say it again, anything with RIDEKNIT® in it from Alpinestars is at the bare minimum worth taking a look at, it is such a great material that offers excellent comfort, and in the case of this jacket you get it all over the inside of the arms but also on the back of the neck which I think was a great decision for comfort. Also for keeping things as cool as possible in a leather jacket, there is plenty of ventilation all throughout the front in the form of perforated leather, as well as all of the highly breathable RIDEKNIT® areas. Comfort is further aided with easy access stretch and zipper opening cuffs, a very comfortable soft feel collar, as well as hook and loop adjusters at the waist. Additional convenience features included a longer cut back to keep you covered while riding, 3/4 waist zipper for a secure connection with Alpinestars pants, two zippered external side pockets as well as one normal mesh and one waterproof internal pockets. Also to note, I really like the main zipper tab cover at the top of the chest, it’s very clean and simple, but looks really good.

At the time of this review the Alpinestars GP Plus R V4 RIDEKNIT® Leather Jacket retails for $649.95 which for the build quality, RIDEKNIT® materials, overall construction and features seems fair, but I do have one complaint. In the price range, and even slightly cheaper, REV’IT! Offers, not one, but multiple sport or race jackets that have many of the same features and abilities as the GP Plus R V4 RIDEKNIT® Leather Jacket, but are CE Level AAA rated versus this jackets AA rating. I am a little disappointed that a top price, top feature and full sport/racing jacket like this one isnt AAA rated. Outside of that I think that this jacket looks great, has great color options, has great fit and movability and is one that I quite like. :: Damir 7/26/24