The first thing I check on any new motorcycle jacket is the main zipper. If it’s a solid, heavy-duty zipper that can be operated by gloved hands without any fiddling, then the jacket survives the first screening. If the jacket has a two-way zipper, so I can partially unzip the bottom section to avoid the jacket rucking up around my waist when I’m riding, then I really begin to give the jacket serious consideration. It’s surprising how many jackets don’t include this two-way zipper, and this was the first thing I noticed on the Alpinestars Andes jacket.

With the mid-price Andes jackets and pants, Alpinestars has paid attention to the details. For the price this is a feature-rich combination.

Using Alpinestars’ proprietary DRYSTAR liner, the Andes jacket and pants are fully waterproof. This breathable liner is not removable. There are both chest and back zippered vents, vented chest pockets, and vented pockets and vents in the pants, but incoming air only travels to the space between the outer fabric and the liners, and not directly to your body. Although there is ventilation, it’s minimal, making this more of a three-season jacket.

Both the jacket and pants have zip-in thermal liners (the jacket’s thermal liner fits in the back utility pocket when not in use). There are four outer pockets on the jacket and a large utility pocket in the back. The two lower pockets in the front are fully waterproof. A clever two-part main zipper flap lets you partially open the jacket at the top, and a snap and elastic collar hook let you keep the flap folded for additional ventilation—with easy access to the inner chest pocket without having to fully unzip the jacket.

There are other features, which are a pleasant surprise at this price. The jacket and pants have abrasion-resistant material at the elbows and knees, and there are reflective accents throughout for increasing your odds of being seen when riding at night.

The jacket is equipped with CE armor in both the elbow and shoulder areas, along with minimal hip and chest pads. Unfortunately, while there is a spine guard supplied, it provides less protection than a computer mouse pad, and should be immediately replaced with a more solid unit (Alpinestars Bio Armor back protector insert: $29.95).

The Andes pants connect via zipper to the jacket. Suspenders, as well as Velcro adjusters on the waist and ankles, let you dial in a comfortable fit. As with the jacket, the waterproof liner is permanently sewn in, so even with the pockets and the six-inch ventilation zippers opened, you get limited air circulation.

The Andes pants come with CE knee protection, but there is no way to adjust the height of the protection, so, depending on your leg length, your knees may not be adequately protected in a fall. For serious riding, I would use strap-on knee/shin protection. Luckily, the pants are roomy enough so you can remove the standard kneepads and wear dedicated armor without binding.

If you’re looking for a three-season jacket and pants combo, especially for a reasonable price, the Alpinestars Andes series is a contender. But, allocate an additional $30 for a real spine protector. AlpineStars.com

MSRP: $249.00 (jacket), $229.00 (pants)