The Stella Andes Air Drystar® is an ambitious mesh jacket. Watertight ambitions even. The ‘original’ Andes – we’ve already arrived at the third version actually – distinguishes itself with its versatility and flexibility, which is no different in this mesh version.
Alpinestars chooses to indicate female motorcycle clothing with ‘Stella’ in the name and to add a few accents where needed. It’s just a fact that a female body is not a male body. Anatomy, preformedness … There’s not much to teach the men and women on the southside of the Alpes when it comes to customised motorcycle clothing.
The Stella Andes Air Drystar® is a 2-in-1. The outer layer has been specifically designed to offer loads of comfort, a decent air flow and sufficient ventilation. Wide 2D mesh panels on the chest and arms clearly illustrate their intent. Because you also need sufficient protection from your motorcycle jacket, there are ripstop reinforcements on the shoulders, elbows and lower arms. This combination delivers a ready to go, highly ventilated motorcycle jacket.
It doesn’t stop there. The waterproof Drystar® membrane that you can wear underneath or over your motorcycle jacket is light, breathing and very watertight. It has been finished a little neater and better – because it can be worn over and inside your motorcycle jacket – than we could have expected from waterproof membranes up to a few years ago. Nice!
By ‘playing’ with the membrane in function of the precise weather conditions, you only enhance your own comfort. Inside your motorcycle jacket, like we are used to, it serves as an additional layer in the morning or evening, and you don’t have to worry about those few strays drops, either. If water comes thrashing down from the skies, we suggest you wear the membrane over your actual motorcycle jacket and avoid having to travel with wet motorcycle clothing long after that shower.
Although in the depths of its soul Alpinestars is still a racing brand, the cut of the Stella Andes Air Drystar® is orientated towards road use. At the bottom, a little longer than short motorcycle racing suits – without overdoing it – with centring Velcro straps in the waist, and still with sufficient shaping to postpone fatigue. Moreover, you can have this Stella Andes Air Drystar® fit perfectly. The centring belt but also the Velcro on the lower arm, press stud on the upper arm and Velcro in the collar are all adjustable.
The impact protection on the shoulders and elbows comes standard. If needed, you can supplement the Nucleon Flex Plus Level 1-protectors with Nucleon Flex Pro Ci chest protectors and Nucleon Plasma back protector (level 2 certified) or Nucleon KR-CELLi back protector (level 1 certified).
The wide storage compartment in the lower back is there to store the membrane or to quickly whip it out. With two more full-blown chest pockets, two slash pockets and two inner pockets (one of which is even waterproof) you’re always travelling with an excess of storage space.
The Stella Andes Air Drystar® Jacket is an interesting specimen. Without thermal lining and with a strong preference to ventilation, it is clear where the accents lie – but don’t underestimate the versatility of this 2-in-1.
Combining this motorcycle jacket with the Stella Andes Air Drystar® motorcycle trousers will result in a very complete outfit.
There is maintenance clothing and then there is clothing maintenance. Good, solid motorcycle clothing is an investment in comfort and personal safety. So invest in its maintenance after your purchase and enjoy your gear for longer.
We put the best tips & tricks on this maintenance page.
