After breaking in the Alpinestars Bogota Pro Drystar Jacket and Pants at the Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition press launch in South Africa, I’ve continued wearing it for the past year in Southern California. This two-piece suit is unique in that the rain liner can be worn over the top of the jacket and pants, preventing the need to strip off riding gear to insert inner rain liners whenever I run into a patch of rain, and I no longer have to pack a separate rain suit in my tailbag.
Alpinestars Bogota Pro Drystar Motorcycle Jacket
The Bogota Pro Drystar Motorcycle Jacket has a lightweight 600-denier main shell construction with a reinforced two-layer 450-denier hard outer shell for enhanced durability with 600-denier woven reinforcements in key areas of the jacket, making it flexible in the right areas and strongest where you most need it.
I am 5-foot-11 and 180 lb, and the size large fits me well. The jacket comes with adjustment points to provide the best fit. Arm and waist straps can be tightened or loosened, and the sliding neck clasp is a great new feature for what I’d have to say is one of the nicest fitting collars out there. The collar can instantly adjust depending on your movement or if you’re wearing a neck gaiter or balaclava, preventing any neck chaffing. The jacket also has stretch inserts around the armpits for enhanced fit and better range of movement. Pre-curved sleeves that follow the shape of the arm deliver superior range of movement whilst in the riding position.
The ventilation on the Bogota Pro Drystar jacket is superb with two large panels on the chest chest, two waterproof zips each side of each vent, and Velcro holding the top firmly in place for when you need to keep warm.
The back of the jacket also opens up in the same way and allows the rider to tuck away about 70% of the back of the jacket for maximum air flow. You’ll still get the usual sweaty back as there is a CE Level 2 back protector in there, but air flows through this jacket beautifully. The jacket also comes with Level 2 Nucleon Flex Pro shoulder and elbow armor. There’s also an air vent running from the cuff to above the elbows that can be opened and closed via the waterproof zippers. I’ve ridden across the desert with all vents fully open and there is loads of air flow.
As for storage on the jacket, a large rear pocket will hold the inner liner rolled up and has a Velcro seal. On the front are four accessible pockets. The outer pocket is clasped with press stands, and there are two pockets accessed via zips directly behind them. There are two internal chest pockets, an internal waterproof document pocket, and two more inner pockets on the liner for your most valuable items.
Alpinestars Bogota Pro Drystar Motorcycle Pants
The Bogota Pro Drystar Pant has a ripstop and 450-denier coated hard shell with 600-denier reinforcements for additional durability in key areas. CE Level 2 knee armor and bio flex hip armor are standard.
The internal rain liner again can be worn both in or over the pants themselves. The liner is attached by a simple press stud loop system around the waist and at the ankles. The pants, like the jacket, have been treated with durable water repellent for additional weather protection. They have two hand pockets that zip closed for security and two wide ventilation panels similar to those on the jacket on the thigh area of the pants. Zips on each side and Velcro across the top secure these in place, and when needed, the panels can be rolled down into the pocket to expose most of the thigh. Opening these panels lets in a nice amount of air while standing but weren’t as effective while sitting.
The Bogota Pro Drystar Pants have built in suspenders to help keep them up. However, they are a European fit. I have a 34-inch waist, and I needed an XL adjusted in at the waist since the Large was just too tight. The pants and jacket can be zipped together to ensure you get the best wind and rain protection. There is plenty of space for your boots with some calf adjustment and the zipper gussets, and a Velcro cuff at the base of the leg allow for ADV or MX style boots.
Overall, the Alpinestars Bogota Pro Drystar Motorcycle Jacket and Pants is a comfortable set of three-season gear that’s not at all heavy and offers plenty of movement and protection. You could almost get away with the jacket as a four-season jacket but not the pants. Pricing is $419.95 for the jacket and $299.95 for the pants. The jacket is available in four color options (Ice Gray/Dark Gray/Yellow Fluro, Ventiver Military Olive, Dark Blue/Black/Bright Red, and Black/Black), and the pants are available in two color options (Black/Black and Ice Gray/Dark Gray/Yellow Fluro).
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Looks nice, but is it just me or do other people wish for something that isn’t either flat black (hot and also invisible to drivers in low light conditions – DAMHIK), or like something Dolly Parton would write a song about? What about, say, monotone khaki, grey, something like that?