Alpinestars Durban Gear

Peter Whitaker

Suitable for all seasons, not all reasons.

Comfortable, protective gear is indispensable, whether you’re riding single trail, superhighway or speedway; and for decades Alpinestar have long been a leading purveyor of boots for every facet of motorcycling. In fact I can remember my first purchase over 40 years ago, and no, I don’t still have the boots! Now the company creates everything from underwear to some of the most technically advanced riding gear in the world. And it’s this last category into which the Alpinestar ‘Durban’ Jacket, Pants and Boots slot quite comfortably.

I didn’t get to try the boots but on a ride when temperatures rose from 7° on a wet alpine trail to 27° in morbid Melbourne afternoon gridlock, the jacket and pants proved the perfect match for a multi-day adventure ride in all conditions.

Comfortable and perfectly dry, with more than enough zippered air intakes (and exhausts) on the chest, sleeves, shoulders and knees to cool off under most conditions without removing the liner – or the detachable sleeves. Fortunately I never put the removable lightweight CE certified shoulder, elbow and knee armour to the real test but the Gore-Tex, leather and polyamide construction appears extremely robust and the pants can be attached to the jacket to form a two-piece riding suit. In slate grey and black, it’s a very fashionable affair.

The Durban Jacket retails at $799.95 and the pants at $599.95 so this is right at the top end of the price spectrum – in fact it may well be the pinnacle – and therefore not for knockabout dirty weekends in the blackberry and ‘roo infested lower forty. Certainly, it’s a premium outfit and if you’ve outlaid, or are considering, big bucks on a top shelf adventure tourer then you’re committed 20 large. Throw in another couple of big ones and set the outfit off with head to toe Durban ensemble.

For more information visit www.alpinestars.com, or to find stockists, check out www.monzaimports.com.au.