Safety and comfort often go hand in hand. If we’re comfortable, we can think more clearly and ride more safely. If we feel safe, we’re comfortable riding more aggressively. Unfortunately, when choosing motorcycle gear, there’s often a trade-off. A heavier jacket can be packed full of armor, but hauling more weight can be tiring. A jacket made of polyester mesh is very breathable on hot summer days but can virtually disintegrate if it meets asphalt at speed. Alpinestars has done their research, listened to customer feedback, and seem to have struck a near-perfect balance of safety and comfort with the Durban GTX Touring Adventure Suit.



The Durban was in its element exploring the fire roads of Virginia’s George Washington National Forest. It’s a good thing the Durban is so well insulated, offering protection from the cold and eliciting envious stares from riders who showed up with basic motocross gear, some wearing hoodies for a little extra warmth. Most of my day was spent watching blue and orange streaks blaze past me, but the rocks and roost they kicked up didn’t disturb my warm, comfortable ride.

This is the most breathable suit I’ve ever tested, with nine vents total, including a clever dual-zipper system that keeps the full center of the jacket open but connected by mesh. You won’t need to wear this jacket like a cape when things get stuffy. Riders can now enjoy the benefits of fast-moving, cool air while keeping everything close and tidy.

One of the features making this suit so comfortable is Alpinestars’ proprietary SAS-TEC armor in the shoulders, elbows, and knees, all of which are adjustable. This malleable elastic foam hardens on impact, providing increased protection during a crash. Ceramic-coated Superfabric on the elbows and knees were put to the test, showing minimal wear from riding through deep brush. It has five times the abrasion resistance of leather at half the weight.

The Durban’s versatility is its most impressive feature, offering multiple wearing styles. Remove the GORE-TEX liner, zip off the sleeves, attach Alpinestars’ BNS neck brace system (sold separately), open the vents and you’re ready for an enduro excursion. Or, wear the entire system over a warm base liner, insert a hydration pack into the integrated bladder storage and you’re ready for long-distance adventure. Unless you’re a racer, the Durban could probably replace everything in your riding wardrobe.

The biggest criticism of the Durban has to do with the construction of their GORE-TEX liner. Alpinestars decided to combine their thermal fleece liner with the waterproof membrane, meaning if the liner is removed on warm days you also lose some water resistance. This was probably done to increase breathability through the center double zipper vent, a fair trade-off in my opinion. Anyone who has ridden in extreme heat would probably welcome any sort of precipitation as a gift from the gods.

If you’re in the market for a bargain on an all-season suit, Alpinestars offers other cost-effective options. At about $1,400 retail, this one might be hard to justify to your significant other. Just know that with Alpinestars you generally get what you pay for. In this case, it’s a balanced, true all-season adventure suit that offers premium versatility. MSRP: $799.95 jacket | $599.95 pants Alpinestars.com

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