Alpinestars Tech-Air® 5 PLASMA Airbag

There’s a moment in every rider’s journey when the road turns unpredictable, maybe it’s a sudden pothole, a loose patch of gravel, or the car that didn’t see you coming. Body armor and heavy gear have been the shield against the unknown for years. But today, protection is evolving, going from rigid and bulky to intelligent and seamless. The new Alpinestars Tech-Air® 5 PLASMA Airbag System is leading that evolution, offering riders something we’ve all been waiting for: complete upper-body protection that’s featherlight, breathable, and virtually invisible.

The Next Chapter in Smart Protection

Alpinestars has long been a pioneer in wearable airbag technology, and the Tech-Air® 5 PLASMA is its lightest, most advanced iteration yet. Weighing just 1,530 grams, it’s over 25% lighter than the original Tech-Air® 5, and its ultra-slim profile means you can wear it under almost any jacket without even noticing it’s there, until you need it.

But don’t let its stealthy design fool you. This system is a powerhouse under the hood (or the mesh, instead. It offers full upper-body coverage, chest, ribs, back, and shoulders. It is armed with the PLASMA back protector, an eco-friendly, impact-absorbing material designed for maximum flexibility, ventilation, and comfort. For riders who switch between street, dirt, and track, it adapts on the fly with three riding modes: STREET, OFF-ROAD, and RACE.

Slim. Light. Ready for Anything.

On a long ride, weight and breathability differentiate comfort and fatigue. The Tech-Air® 5 PLASMA features a mono-layer stretch mesh chassis that wraps close to your body, wicks moisture, and allows air to flow freely, particularly important when you’re geared up in the summer heat or climbing elevation on a twisty mountain pass.

Mobility is spot on. The ergonomic sleeves and rear-extended cut allow it to move fluidly with your body, standing on the pegs off-road, leaning into a tight corner, or shifting position mid-ride. It’s built to provide protection while remaining virtually unnoticeable.

Alpinestars Tech-Air® 5 Plasma System in rider
Alpinestars Tech-Air® 5 Plasma System

Intelligent Protection, Real-World Practicality

Safety tech isn’t helpful if it’s complicated to use. The Tech-Air® 5 PLASMA system fires up automatically when zipped, confirmed by a reassuring haptic vibration and LED display on the chest. Switching riding modes? Press and hold the button for two seconds, and you’ll feel a buzz when the system updates. This isn’t just smart, it’s intuitive.

A single user-replaceable gas canister handles deployments, and the entire system is modular, making it easy to disassemble for cleaning or maintenance. In countries that allow self-service, riders can swap the gas inflator themselves in minutes. The battery life runs up to 30 hours, so you can go for long weekends or multi-day trips without thinking twice.

Bluetooth Connectivity for Modern Riders

The integrated Tech-Air® App adds a digital dimension to your rides. It connects via Bluetooth to display battery and system status. It even tracks your journeys through MyRide, a nice bonus for those who like to document routes or analyze ride data afterward.

Safety Meets Standards

Protection means nothing without certification; here, Alpinestars doesn’t cut corners. The airbag system meets Category II PPE certification (EU Regulation 2016/425), and its components are rated to the highest standards:

  • EN 1621-2:2014 Level 1 (Passive Back Protector)
  • EN 1621-4:2013 Level 1 (Inflatable Protector)
  • EN 17092-6:2020 Class C (Undergarment)
  • That’s lab-speak for: it’s built to protect you in severe situations, and it’s trusted to do so repeatedly with up to six deployments per airbag bladder.

Final Verdict

Riding alpine curves, carving a canyon, or threading a rocky trail, the Tech-Air® 5 PLASMA lets you focus on the ride with the confidence that the best protection is already riding with you. It’s a leap forward in safety tech, rider-centric design, lightweight, breathable, innovative, and intuitive.

Photos/Videos: Alpinestars Media – Words: Thomas Ferrero

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