Alpinestars Tech Air 5 Plasma Airbag Vest

Major improvements I noticed:

- user-replaceable gas canisters, no need to send to service center
- more breathable, lighter, less cumbersome
- onboard controls - can disable airbag without unzipping, no phone app needed to change modes
- physical power switch to prevent accidental battery drain while stored
- ADV-style offroad mode in addition to street and track
 
Amazon said:
I was planning on getting a 7x, but now I'm conflicted and might go this route. We'll have to see which fits better in the suit.
Click to expand...

The way I understand the positioning is that the 7x is for racing only with the extended back/coccyx protector. The 5 Plasma is for street/ADV riders who want the flexibility to do track days. Don't know where the 10 fits in any more, but it's the only one with leg/hip protection - in any case I'd wait for a new version of that to come out with the thinner/lighter dimensions. Definitely inconvenient for anything else, even all-day street rides if you factor in lunch/dinner stops and bathroom breaks.
 
Relax said:
The way I understand the positioning is that the 7x is for racing only with the extended back/coccyx protector. The 5 Plasma is for street/ADV riders who want the flexibility to do track days. Don't know where the 10 fits in any more, but it's the only one with leg/hip protection - in any case I'd wait for a new version of that to come out with the thinner/lighter dimensions. Definitely inconvenient for anything else, even all-day street rides if you factor in lunch/dinner stops and bathroom breaks.
Click to expand...
I pee too often for the 10 🤣

We measured up our suits based on the 7x, but the option of the 5 to wear it on a street ride seems nice too. And 6 inflations is great. We have about 40 days to figure this out 😅
 
Relax said:
The way I understand the positioning is that the 7x is for racing only with the extended back/coccyx protector. The 5 Plasma is for street/ADV riders who want the flexibility to do track days. Don't know where the 10 fits in any more, but it's the only one with leg/hip protection - in any case I'd wait for a new version of that to come out with the thinner/lighter dimensions. Definitely inconvenient for anything else, even all-day street rides if you factor in lunch/dinner stops and bathroom breaks.
Click to expand...
My understanding is the 10 is for racers who want maximum protection, but at the cost of ventilation and ease of use, as well as money. The 7x is more for track day riders who want better ventilation and a simpler on/off process for shorter but more sessions in a day while riding in a less than 10/10ths setting. And then the 5 is, as you say, more of an all-rounder, a jack of all trades, master of none.

I have the previous Tech-Air 5, and it's surprisingly low impact. Definitely a smidge less airflow than a regular back protector, but not a huge amount less. By far the biggest improvement I see with the new one is the user-replaceable canisters. The rest is definitely nice to have, but wouldn't be enough to force an upgrade.
 
Priller said:
My understanding is the 10 is for racers who want maximum protection, but at the cost of ventilation and ease of use, as well as money. The 7x is more for track day riders who want better ventilation and a simpler on/off process for shorter but more sessions in a day while riding in a less than 10/10ths setting. And then the 5 is, as you say, more of an all-rounder, a jack of all trades, master of none.

I have the previous Tech-Air 5, and it's surprisingly low impact. Definitely a smidge less airflow than a regular back protector, but not a huge amount less. By far the biggest improvement I see with the new one is the user-replaceable canisters. The rest is definitely nice to have, but wouldn't be enough to force an upgrade.
Click to expand...

I also have the previous TechAir5, but the airflow restriction was really noticeable to me, especially when my mesh jacket no longer felt like a mesh jacket. Basically the ADV mode is the only thing I didn't mentally complain about, but I was happy to put up with them for the added protection. Now I don't need to and will likely upgrade this Christmas if there's a good sale.
 
There are always trade-offs. I understand in this case the TA5plasma bladder is smaller and has less coverage of areas such as the neck. That's a critical difference for me but may not be for others who are happy to sacrifice that for better air flow and convenience. Any airbag is better than none.
 
thwak said:
There are always trade-offs. I understand in this case the TA5plasma bladder is smaller and has less coverage of areas such as the neck. That's a critical difference for me but may not be for others who are happy to sacrifice that for better air flow and convenience. Any airbag is better than none.
Click to expand...

Where have you seen it reported to be smaller? It's actually supposed to have more coverage around the arms/shoulders and ribs. It does have an opening at the sternum for better airflow, but it's still flanked by the rib bladders.
Forum Sponsor
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom