Alpinestars Halo Review - Chris Hood

Alpinestars Halo DS Jacket and pants - Review
 

New for ’24, Alpinestars (astars) have released the ultimate do it all jacket, the Halo DS.
Proudly displayed in the centre of 5-Ways Motorcycle Centre’s Clothing Department, my attention was immediately drawn to its unique styling. It is reminiscent of their mid-90’s race suits which had offset zipper to aid getting into them!

The Alpinestars Halo DS has the “astar” branding across the front centre panel, boldly printed in a reflective silver against the black Cordura chassis of the jacket. There are also reflective silver patches at the shoulder.  An Alpinestars legend is printed on the rear shoulders, but this does disappear due to one of the features! There is no central zipper.  This is offset to the right of the jacket (when worn) and is a heavy nylon YKK item.  It is covered by a storm flap and additional press studs at the shoulder.  Getting it fastened is a bit of a faff initially, being offset.  but just needs practice to get used to it.

Checking the features of this jacket it is bristling with innovation.  The jackets ‘special’ features I will explain after covering the standard stuff!
I am advised to remove the waterproof liner which pop fastens into the jacket at the neck, cuffs and both left and right at the waist.  The waterproof liner is also an outer jacket, it is black with flouro yellow panels – clearly meant for the outside but has the option of being a liner as presented. The rear of the jacket has a large map pocket that will easily store the liner, zipped either side for access.  There is also another pouch on the outside of the map pocket which is made of an elasticated material for further storage (waterproof over pants?).  This has a large Astars logo in reflective print.  Whilst I am talking about storage, To the front there are two large pockets which have a fold over top, secured by hook & loop and press studs.  There is no ‘waterproof’ symbol, but the material and design would indicate there may be some level of proofing. Additionally, there is ‘hoody’ style zipped front pouch (zips are either side) and where the Astars logo is there is also a fold over ‘kangaroo’ pouch, secured with hook & loop and press studs. Behind all this there is an internal waterproof jacket once the jacket is unzipped.

There is ample adjustment at the cuffs with a hook & loop flap.  The forearm has a belt style hook & loop adjuster and two position studs at the upper arm to get a snug fit.  There is no adjuster at the neck, which has a neoprene comfort edge to it.  The front of the neck has a ‘storm’ flap, which forms part of one of the unique features.  These start with two zips which run from the mid chest to the neck at an angle roughly forming a ‘V’.  Unfastening these zips (downwards) and unfastening the hook & loop attaching the collar to the ‘storm flap’ results in the panel opening, revealing a mesh panel.  There is a similar arrangement on the back of the jacket that functions in the same fashion.  Both panels fold away into the body of the jackets and are secured with two press studs, presumably to stop the flapping around when riding.
This venting will allow airflow in warm conditions.  However once fitted with a back protector and chest protector, there are panels internally to fit them, this function may not be as effective!

There is a mesh type material under the armpit area and inner arm.  The remainder of the chassis of the jacket is a mix of heavy duty nylon and ‘rip-stop’ material.
In the form described the jacket attracts a Class AA safety rating.  However, one of the jackets ‘tricks’ is that the sleeves can be removed as they are zipped onto the main chassis at the shoulder.  When removed the main chassis has a ‘gilet’ look to it but has further air-flowing mesh sleeves which are built into the main jacket.  With the sleeves removed the jacket becomes Class A.  The sleeves have Nucleon Flex Pro armour built into the elbow, and shoulders, flexible level 2 armour.  There is a built-in inner belt to secure the jacket snugly to the body, and a full zip to attach to suitable riding pants.

As a jacket for all seasons, it lacks a thermal liner but with the mesh material used throughout its construction, the removable sleeves and drop down panels front and back it would certainly make an appealing touring or adventure jacket, and when combined with the Alpinestars ‘Drystar’ internal/external waterproof weather shouldn’t be a problem!
5-Ways Motorcycle Centre have this new jacket on sale at a reasonable £449.99 considering its features and flexibility.
 
 
Alpinestars Halo DS Pants
 
I noticed also that 5-Ways Motorcycle Centre also had the matching pants!

Made out of a ripstop type Cordura/nylon the same as the main chassis of the jacket. With a breathable mesh around the crotch and to the whole rear of the pants.  A matching full waist zip to attach to the Halo DS jacket will create a suit that won’t ride.  The pants have removeable braces, and the waist is secured by zip, press stud and clip.  A hook & loop internal adjuster should securely hold the pants on the hips.

A similar venting system to the jacket. on the thigh top has two sips creating a ‘V’ shaped panel which folds down from the groin to the knee revealing air-flow mesh.  Like the jacket, these panels tuck in, in this case down the shins.
Adjustment at the ankle is a hook & loop tab and a belt type adjuster on the calf made of the same material.
Two good size pockets on the hip are cargo style and have reflective material in the same style as the jacket. The pockets are secured with hook & loop and a press stud with a weather flap over the top.

Whilst there is no ‘grippy’ material on the seat of the pants there is a leather panel inside the knee which will help gripping the tank.
The pants come with a Drystar liner/over trouser which press studs to the waist at three points internally.  Again, like the jacket, the waterproof inners are best used as over trousers to keep the whole kit dry. Like the jacket the waterproofs are lined so they slip on easily and whilst only elasticated at the waist, the ankles have zips to help pull over boots.  There are reflective panels on the hips.

The pants are Class AA rated and fitted with CE level 2 Nucleon Flex Pro armour at the hip and knee.
5-Ways Motorcycle centre have the full range of sizes available and they are competitively priced at £329.99, which, like the jacket isn’t expensive considering the flexibility of the system.