alpinestars motorcycle gear Alpinestars Bogota Pro Drystar Jacket – Union Garage

alpinestars motorcycle gear Alpinestars Bogota Pro Drystar Jacket – Union GarageThe Bogota Pro Drystar jacket from Alpinestars is one of those rare, middle of the lineup utility players that we've found just happens to punch way above its weight class. We've seen this show before: a multi layer jacket with a lot of zippers that promises to be all jackets to all riders. We're not generally huge fans of this multi layered formula, but the Bogota Pro manages to deliver a whole lot of jacket for the moneythree jackets total,

The Bogota Pro Drystar jacket from Alpinestars is one of those rare, middle-of-the-lineup utility players that we've found just happens to punch way above its weight class. 

We've seen this show before: a multi-layer jacket with a lot of zippers that promises to be all jackets to all riders.

We're not generally huge fans of this multi-layered formula, but the Bogota Pro manages to deliver a whole lot of jacket for the money—three jackets total, representing a wide range of capability.

Master of Fun.

Normally these jack-of-all-trades are, in fact, masters of none. But Alpinestars has struck a nice balance with the Bogota Pro, and whether you're looking for a versatile adventure jacket, or an adaptable touring piece that works well in the dead of summer, or in the depths of the off-season, then the Bogota Pro is worth a look.

With all the inner layers removed, this jacket excelled in warmer weather road and off-road riding. With all the liners in, it was highway capable, even headed north, at night, in the fall.

The fact it's AA rated, and comes with anatomic, left/right-specific Level 2 limb armor, means it's no slouch for safety, either. 

The main body is built from 600D Cordura, and the high abrasion zones are made of doubled-up 450D, for extra rugged construction where it counts, but an overall fit and feel of a comfortable, lightweight, easy-to-wear jacket. 

And after using it for a few months of transitional summer-to-fall New England riding, both on road and off, it's become a surprise favorite.

On hot days, generous sleeve vents, two drop-down chest vents, and a massive full vented back panel all help flow air through this jacket. As it gets cooler, zip up the vents, install the quilted thermal liner, and/or the fully seam-taped waterproof liner, and there's not much this jacket can't handle.

A primary complaint about most multi-layer jackets, especially when it comes to waterproofing, is that the shell is treated like a sacrificial layer while the rider relies on an internal rain layer to keep them dry.

And while this is technically true, in a laboratory setting, on the road a sopping wet shell gets heavy and quickly saps your heat when exposed to passing wind. 

In a nice work-around, Alpinestars designed their rain layer to fasten either inside, or fit outside the jacket, which heads off the possibility of a soggy shell, and just sort of makes more sense.

Pockets Galore.

Two deep cargo pockets have a storm flap and a snap to keep them closed, but are so easy to open and access that they serve as quite functional hand-warmer pockets.

On top of those cargo pockets are two zippered pockets, each featuring an easy red pull-tab and a waterproof zipper. This is where keys and wallets and valuables go; and use the big cargos for hands, snacks, neck gaiters, sunglasses, or other easy access items. Bonus:  inside the shell of the jacket is an inside safe-room waterproof pocket for storing valuables - paperwork or electronics.

Thoughtfully the thermal liner gets some of its own inside pockets, so you don't give up functionality when using the insulating piece. The rain liner however gets zero pockets, and that's fine; fewer areas to potentially fail and let water in.

Rounding out the cargo capabilities, a generous rabbit pocket at the back of the jacket helps stow the extra liners when not in use.

And the rain liner rolls up into a self-contained pocket hidden in its own mesh liner. Ball it up and stow it for when you need it, or swaddle it in an extra t-shirt for an ad-hoc pillow while moto-camping.

Bang for the Buck.

The gold standard in waterproofing for motorcycle jackets is a full laminate Gore-Tex construction, like the usual suspects from KLIM—either the Latitude or the Carlsbad, which range from about $700 to $800.

There are phenomenal pieces, and ideal for dedicated year-round motorcycle commuters, or long distance all-weather tourers. But considering you can get the Bogata Pro Jacket AND and matching Bogota Pants for the same price as KLIM's cheapest laminate Gore-Tex jacket, and be left with a jacket that performs much better in hot weather, then the Bogota is worth a look.

Speaking of cost comparisons, considering the included Bogota rain jacket is very much like the a tried and true Alpinestars Hurricane rain layers we have for years sold  a la carte, the easy-to-swallow price tag gets even better. Because this liner can be used on its own, as a destination rain jacket (in a pinch), or even with another motorcycle jacket. 

Very Few Quibbles.

As with most European product, the branding is a wee heavy on this one. An A-Star on the sleeve? Sure. But why does it have to say "Tech Touring" in contrasting letters across the back? Message to the designers: nobody cares!

The Italians did a good job with color options on this one, especially the grassy military olive, and the basic black, but most Americans don’t want to be human billboards, so toning it down in the logo and branding department would be much appreciated. 

At the end of the day we really dig this jacket despite—not because of—the logo and  branding overreach  

The bigger issue with the shoulders, and our only other real gripe, is that the while the Level-2 elbow and shoulder armor is totally comfortable, the outside shape of the shoulder is a bit pointy. This is a pattern issue and doesn't really affect the functionality at all. The shoudlers just read a bit linebacker-y, and they don't have to.

Aside from that, this jacket fits true to size for American T-shirt sizing. It's Tech-Air compatible, and has cinches at the arms and waist to maintain a trim, flap-free fit regardless of the under-layer situation.

Other aspects of the cut that aren't traditional, but that we quite like, are the oversized cargo pockets that flap down in front a bit, while keeping a relatively higher center-front, so as not to impede movement. This jacket also gets points for a drop-tail, which helps cover the rider's rump while hauled over at full arm extension, and also gives the rear rabbit pocket a little extra volume.

And in a world of black jackets, the "Vetiver Military Olive" stands out; in a good way. We had to look it up, too, but vetiver is a type of tall perennial grass. And the light, natural hue was appreciated on hot days, as it didn't soak up too much heat from the sun. Of course this jacket is also available in black, or it a blatantly BMW-like blue, as well as a black/high-vis fluorescent yellow option.

Fine-Print Catalog Features:

• CE approved to pr-EN17092 as a Class AA garment
  
• Zips into complementary Bogota Pro Pants to make a full ADV suit
• Lightweight 600D main shell for enhanced durability
  
• Reinforced 2-L 450D hard outer shell construction for enhanced long-life durability
  
• Detachable 100g body, 60g full sleeve thermal liner allows the jacket to be configured to the conditions
  
• Constructed with 100% GRS certified recycled Nylon 6 materials
  
• DrystarXF membrane incorporates hydrophilic technology where water vapor is absorbed from the body and desorbed on the outside
  
• Extensive ventilation panels on the chest, full back and arms
  
• Direct ventilation panels on the chest and arms can be operated with one hand for fast and effective climate control on the go
  
• Pre-curved sleeves are engineered with a rotated design to follow the shape of the arm in riding position
  
• Unique sleeve vent construction and wide mesh panel for effective climate control
  
• Extensive stretch inserts around armpit for optimum freedom of movement and an enhanced fit
  
• Intuitive incorporation of zippers, connectors and ergonomic design on liner connection, closure systems, wrists, and collar for ease of use
  
• Innovative collar closure with adjustable self-centering snap closure for an optimized fit
  
• Collar has a hook and loop style closure on the inside to keep the collar in the open position in warm weather conditions
  
• Ergonomically designed adjustable cuffs for ease of use with gloved hands
  
• Two front zippered pockets, two chest pockets, an inner waterproof document pocket and two inner pockets on the liner
  
• Lower hem shock cord for an optimized fit
  
• CE Level 2 Nucleon Flex Pro shoulder and elbow armor included
  
• Pockets for optional back and chest armor (sold separately; fits D3O Viper back protector, or Alpinestars Nucleon series.)
  
• Can accommodate the Tech-Air 5 or Tech-Air 3 Airbag System