I can, without a doubt, say I have tested the Alpinestars Stella Bionic Jacket completely. I learned to stunt and since then, have been stunting in the jacket for two years. I have crashed in it, froze in it, sweated in it and even been run over by my own bike in it. And after two years, despite the fact it’s extremely worn with a few holes , I must declare, I love it.
At the time the jacket was released I was working at a Cycle Shop. My primary attraction to it was that it was made for a girl who actually rides. It was not the "sexy leather jacket - sort of for riding - but mostly to look good". It was designed for a women who crashed enough to not care if she looks a bit like a Power Ranger-ette when she rides. I had considered buying the men’s Bionic Jacket before the ladies version was released, but I feared the loose shoulder fit and giant fitting pads would shift and slide when I really needed them. Then the Stella arrived, with narrow shoulders, pads that fit around my arms and torso correctly, and a very anatomically correct –but comfortable, set of chest pads.
The Stella has CE-certified shoulder, elbow and back protection. The shoulder and chest pads are adjustable, as is the band that secures the back protector and the armor is attached with a durable mesh. Thanks to all the adjustments straps, the jacket fits anyone like a glove, I am a size six and fit in a medium. I think my favorite and most used pads, are the elbow pads, which don’t shift at all, they absorb impact like magic and have allowed me to walk away from every crash.
I always say, there’s just no reason not to wear quality gear. You never know what’s going to happen –so why not just throw it on? It takes me about two minutes to gear up before I ride, which I always do and I like to contribute that to my successfully, safe stunting over the last two years.
