Alpinestars Bogota jacket review | A versatile and high quality jacket for any situation

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I’ve been wearing this mid-range, three-layer, all-season Alpinestars Bogota Pro Drystar Jacket on new bike launches, group tests and commutes on adventure and touring bikes. I’ve used it in the stifling heat of southern Spain and Italy, under fresh Welsh Autumn skies, sub-zero Scottish road trips, through a dark, dank British winter and everything in between.

With its multiple layers it can be as warm and dry, or as cool and airy as you want it to be, depending on the conditions, which makes it hugely versatile. I wear it with summer base layers or winter base layers underneath and an Alpinestars Tech Air 5 airbag vest. I also use the matching Bogota Pro Drystar Pants (£239.99).

Is it comfortable?

This jacket is a tale two halves. In the heat I just wear the outer shell, where it’s light, easy to move around in and this size large fits my lanky six-foot frame perfectly.

It’s perhaps a little too much of a motorcycle jacket to wear casually, but it’s comfy when you’re riding and the Velcro adjustable sleeves are the perfect length and width to go over winter, or summer gloves. The jacket’s hem is low enough to prevent drafts sneaking up your back and the adjustable arm and waist straps ensure a snug fit.

Huge ventilation panels unzip and roll clear to reveal a mesh fabric that does a superb job of cooling you down in hot weather, especially riding adventure bikes off-road, where my pedestrian pace doesn’t produce much in the way of airflow.

The jacket comes with two removable inners: a quilted thermal jacket and a black waterproof jacket with fluorescent yellow arms. They can be fixed together and fastened inside the main jacket, or you can use one or the other.

For winter riding I wear all three layers together because the rain is never far away in the UK. The waterproof layer can be worn over the outside of the jacket (or any jacket you own), which stops the fabric jacket getting waterlogged, but I wear it underneath for convenience.

Used like this it’s always kept me warm, dry and protected from icy windblast on long trips. There are no leaks from wind or rain, although I’d like the collar to be higher, as sometimes I get a drafty neck, even wearing a neck tube.

The triple layer Bogota Pro Drystar Pants are just as versatile, have similarly large ventilation panels and are long enough to fit nicely over off-road boots.

How practical is it?

Even when the jacket is fully layered it’s a piece of cake to wear and to take on and off. With four deep front outer pockets there’s no shortage of carrying space and the inside pockets are handy for keeping valuables dry.

Like many adventure-style jackets there’s a big pocket around the back to store larger items like bottles of water, although it’s tricky to reach when you’re wearing, unless you have Inspector Gadget arms.

Does it look good?

I wouldn’t usually wear this style of kit, but I need to as part of my ‘road tester’s dressing up box’ during road test photoshoots. That said, no other kind of jacket is as practical on a long trip with changeable weather conditions, so I enjoy wearing it from a practical point of view. It’s well fitted, doesn’t look too bulky and I like the grey design with lumo green flashes.

What’s the build quality like?

They might be mid-priced in Alpinestar’s line up, but both the jacket and trousers could easily pass as range-toppers. They have a quality feel and despite the amount of wear they’ve had in all kinds of conditions, on and off-road, still look as good as new.

Zips, buckles, fasteners are all sturdy and easy to use, too. The outer jacket by itself will withstand a light shower, but used with its waterproof inner it’s always kept me dry, even in heavy, relentless rain.

Protection and CE ratings

With its AA rating the jacket and trousers are almost at the top of the tree (AAA is the highest) when it comes to impact and abrasion resistance, although I haven’t put them to the test. Rubbery plastic Level 2, Type B shoulder and elbow armour are an ample size to cover my joints for extra protection and always stay nicely in place.

There are pockets for a chest and back protector, but I mostly wear an Alpinestars Tech Air 5 airbag vest, unless I’m riding off-road when I’ll wear an Alpinestars KR-1 Cell back protector.

Are they good value?

Quality adventure kit like this is never cheap, but you get what you pay for and it’s possible to spend a whole lot more. Some of the most expensive jackets out there can cost as much as £1600, but generally you can buy adventure jacket and trousers to suit your pocket.

With the Alpinestars Bogota Pro Drystar jacket you get three jackets in one and lots of useful features. You can also use the waterproof jacket separately over any of your other kit and even wear the thermal inner jacket casually off the bike.

The bottom line

Adventure jackets are without doubt the most practical around and the Alpinestars Bogota Pro Dystar (and matching trousers) is one of the best I’ve used. It’s light, stylish, easy to wear and has lots of useful features, like good length sleeves and back, big pockets and strong, easy to use zips and fasteners.

The jacket and trousers have a quality feel, are sturdily made and cool to wear in the heat thanks to its superb ventilation panels. Best of all are the extra two inner jackets included in the price.

Used together they keep me warm and dry in the depths of winter, the waterproof layer can be used over any clothing and the thermal jacket can be worn on its own when you’re off the bike. For big riding trips on or off-road in all kinds of weather conditions this jacket has been the perfect companion.

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