Alpinestars Tech Air 5 airbag

Tested by Alan Dowds I £669.99 I www.alpinestars.com

Earlier this year I went to a presentation about rider airbags given by one of the engineers from IN&MOTION, the French company that makes the airbag units for Furygan, RST and several other firms. The guy was pretty matter-of-fact about airbag protection: it helps reduce the severity of chest/thorax injuries in a crash, and those injuries are second only to head injuries in terms of causing fatalities. Choose an airbag, choose life, seemed to be the message.

I had an Alpinestars Tech-Air Road airbag already that fitted into a Big Sur Gore-Tex jacket, but I didn’t always wear it. After the presentation though, it was never off my back, and I was very pleased to borrow an updated version, the Tech-Air 5. Unlike the older unit, this vest can be worn under any jacket with a couple of inches of free space, rather than needing the special wiring and magnetic switch on a special jacket. You can even wear it over the top of a jacket.

The Tech-Air 5 links to Alpinestars’ phone app so you can check charge levels and swap between different riding modes – road and track – as well as install firmware updates. It charges using an old micro-USB connector which is a bit disappointing – I’d prefer a new USB-C connector – but that’s a minor quibble. It’s pretty heavy at around 2kg, and also quite warm on hot days, despite having air venting. But that’s the price you pay for the comprehensive protection. The Tech-Air 5 claims to protect your shoulders, chest, ribs and back, and incorporates a hard back protector as well as the inflatable bag. I won’t leave home on a bike without it.