ALPINESTARS presents “Stella,” a line of motocross apparel tailored for female riders with a pattern uniquely distinct from the men’s design. Off1 Editor Izawa offers his take on how its size sets it apart.
PHOTO/Inoue
Few Women's Motocross Apparel
When you look at the types of motocross apparel, it's generally men's apparel that takes the lead, with women's and kids' sizes being variations. This is likely strongly influenced by the fact that there are more male participants in the competition. However, even so, women's apparel is considerably more limited compared to men's, and some brands might not even have a lineup for it.
In fact, despite the fact that the number of apparel brands has been increasing over the past few years with the appearance of Japanese brands such as Kushitani and DFG in addition to foreign brands such as FOX, ALPINESTARS, FASTHOUSE, seven, FXR, and RENEN, the lineup of womenswear is ALPINESTARS, FOX, FASTHOUSE, etc. are only a few.
Even if they exist, women's apparel has a small lineup, which means that there is a narrow choice in terms of wear selection. For example, there are many cases where you want to wear a top-of-the-line model, but that series is not available for women. For this reason, Izawa, who started riding motocross when he was 4 years old, would usually choose the smallest size from the men's lineup. If the men's wear is the right size, there is no problem with riding. In fact, by including men's sizes in the selection, the range of brands, series, and other clothing choices expands dramatically. In fact, looking at the women's class riders in the All Japan Motocross Championships, there are many riders who wear men's sizes instead of women's sizes.
Although we are currently satisfied with men's sizes, once you try women's wear, however, you will realize that there is a big difference, and that there is a great advantage to wearing women's wear because it is made to fit women's body shapes.
ALPINESTARS 2025 Model Review
This time, we tried on ALPINESTARS' 2025 model, the “Stella” series for women, which includes the following two 2025 model lineups.
2025 Woman Stella Techstar Melt Jersey
2025 Woman Stella Fluid Wurx Jersey
Of these, the one worn this time is the Fluid line for entry-level users.
The Fluid line is a series for fun rides and beginners that reflects the features of the higher-end models but offers excellent cost performance. Stella's jerseys are made in a women's-specific pattern with a slimmer fit around the shoulders and wrists. The pants also have a slightly different pattern around the waist, and this difference leads to a better fit when worn.
Izawa is 159 cm tall and wears size M for the jersey and 28 for the pants. When wearing men's sizes, the fabric around the shoulders in jerseys and around the waist and hips in pants is excessively tight, but when wearing Stella, it seems to fit my body much better than men's sizes and allows me to move around much more easily.
Note that the material is based on polyester fabric, which is lightweight/moisture wicking/breathable. It also uses stretch fabrics that enhance durability, and while it is an entry-level model, it has a high quality finish.
If there is excess fabric around the hips and buttocks, the buttocks may slide against the seat during acceleration. Although it is only a small amount of misalignment, it can cause stress while riding or cause the rider to lose his posture. The Stella we tested this time had no excess fabric, so we felt it was easy to stand on the seat.
Also, when standing up, there is no feeling of tightness or excess. I was even shocked to find out that the clothes I had been wearing were for men, and that it is important to wear clothes that fit my body shape.
New TECH7 with Improved Protection and Grip
This time, we also tried the new TECH7 boots to match our wear. ALPINESTARS' boot lineup consists of TECH3, TECH5, TECH7, and TECH10, with the higher the number, the more advanced the boot.
Changes from the previous model include enhanced Achilles tendon protection and improved overall protection performance. When actually wearing the shoes, the ankle area seems to be stronger, but that does not mean it is harder to move, which adds to the sense of security.
In addition, the inner rubber portion has a wider area for improved grip on the bike. The shape of the footwear opening has also been changed, with a thicker wall to increase the degree of adhesion to prevent mud from entering through gaps.
When actually riding, the grip on the inside of the boot is quite effective. The wider range of the rubber in place gives a stronger sense of knee grip on the entire inner side than before, making it easier to control the machine. Especially when accelerating from a standing position, it is now easier to maintain a posture without lagging behind the machine.
The TECH7 is available in both men's and women's sizes, and our editor-in-chief, Mr. Inagaki, introduces and gives his impressions on the off1.jp YouTube channel. Please check it out as well.
Original Source [ Off1.jp ]
