Product review

Alpinestars Sequence chest protector

By Louis

Stones and dirt, a crash over the handlebars, or the well-known "tree contact" when riding an enduro bike - a chest protector has to withstand a lot. The compromise between sufficient protection and freedom of movement is a recurring issue when purchasing a new chest protector. Those who know what can happen appreciate every extra gram on their body that can prevent a broken rib. It is not surprising that some become skeptical when they hear about soft chest protectors for the first time. How should this thin foam* protect at all? In this review about the Alpinestars Sequence Protector, I am going to find out whether the fear of unconventional soft protectors is justified and whether you really have to make a compromise between protection and comfort.

*Note
Soft protectors are not just mere foam. Mostly like Alpinestars, they use a patented material that hardens on impact and still remains flexible. The impact forces are therefore distributed better than with simple hard-shell plastic.

Especially as an enduro rider, you know the risks of dense single-trails at high speeds. My first impression of the Alpinestars Sequence was accordingly skeptical. If you compare it to a hard-shell chest protector, you immediately notice the low weight and the flat profile of the Alpinestars Sequence.

Louis wearing the Alpinestars Sequence chest protector

What Alpinestars says about the protector:

high performance, thermoformed material blend for the same flexibility and protection as comparable hard-shell chest protectors

excellent breathability and ventilation

soft, with organic foam, padded chassis for maximum comfort

Quick-Change-System for comfortable putting on and taking off Alpinestars Sequence performing on motocross under extreme conditions

How the Sequence performs on a motorbike under extreme conditions

The fact that every extra gram on your body can spoil the joy of riding is particularly evident during warm seasons on motocross tracks. Light and breathable gear is everything when the lap times collapse, every braking wave becomes torture and you start having sweat in your eyes. Therefore, I was even more excited to test the protector on a 34-degree day during my vacation in Italy on the beautiful motocross track in Arco.

Due to the heat, I decided not to wear functional underwear on the upper body. What was always more uncomfortable than practical with my previous protector, I can't say about the Sequence. Wearing the chest protector on bare skin feels very comfortable. After a short time, the material warms up and adapts to your body like a second skin. On my first sighting lap, I didn't feel the protector at all and could unwind my rounds bit by bit. It was hot on that day, but I felt the air flowing through the Sequence, which was pleasantly cooling. During the first test run, I already crashed. My front wheel slipped off in a curve and my upper body slammed against the handlebars. I fell. Without feeling any pain, I got up and continued riding. The protector passed the crash test!

The Alpinestars Sequence chest protector in action

Motocross rider meets mountain bike feat. Alpinestars Sequence

For the second test, my friends and I went mountain biking in Klinovec. The Czech mountains were the perfect place to take a closer look at the freedom of movement of the Alpinestars Sequence. The chest protector shines, especially in non-motorized off-road sports. As I had already noticed in Arco, I didn't feel the chest protector at all. Since the speed is lower when riding a mountain bike, sufficient ventilation as well as the flexibility of the upper body are key. I didn't feel restricted in my movement and the protector was not rubbing at all (which can happen with hard-shell protectors since they simply won't give in). Tight curves and steep root passages on the enduro Line were especially fun with this chest protector.

How well does the chest protector work with a neck brace?

Since I and many other riders never ride without a neck brace, I had to test the chest protector in combination with one. I always use my Leatt GPX 6.5. And here comes my only criticism of the Alpinestars Sequence - the compatibility with a neck guard. Since I like to wear my Leatt GPX 6.5 without the rubber straps (in combination with the Leatt chest protector, this works very well because it has tabs that allow the neck protector to snap into place), it was a pity to notice that this wasn’t working very well with the Sequence. Although the Sequence has a detachable neck brace-edging on the back, it does not reach the level of neck brace compatibility that I am used to. If you want to wear the Sequence together with a neck brace, you definitely have to use the rubber straps to prevent it from slipping and twisting. The rubber straps on the shoulder piece of the Sequence are going to help you as well. Small consolation - you get used to it really quick.

Conclusion

After several hours of testing on several motocross tracks (with some crashes), I am more than surprised about the potential of soft chest protectors and especially the Alpinestars Sequence. When I remember my clunky, hard-shell chest protector, I would not want to miss the Sequence anymore! The Sequence is in no way inferior to hard-shell protectors in terms of safety and offers even more comfort. Spoiled by Leatt's neck brace-chest protector-compatibility, I had trouble finding the right setup for my Leatt GPX 6.5 at first. But I figured it out and I am more than happy now. The compromise is definitely worth it since I can ride with more endurance and without restricting my movements. If you are looking for a chest protector that can handle even the most acrobatic contortions or a solid companion for the bike park which keeps you cool on hot days, the Alpinestars Sequence chest protector is the on for you.