Alpinestars Tech-Air 10 Airbag System

1. No regrets buying tech air 10

5

Posted by John Tredinnick on 13th Sep 2023

I am glad I hesitated when the first batch was available last year because apparently there were problems with the electronics such as the tech air 10 not always turning on when worn. When it became available again this year I pulled the trigger and have had zero problems. The electronic issue has been fixed, and I have full confidence that it will work when required. It turns on every time I wear it, and immediately connects to the Astars app. It does take time getting used to putting it on and off. I bought the additional long legs base layer. I also bought the 2023 Alpinestars GP Plus V4 race suit to ensure that the suit has enough stretch in it if the tech air 10 fires. I do need someone to help me pull the race suit on and off over the rear hump of the tech air 10 because it tends to get stuck. There is lots and lots of ventilation with the tech air 10 and the race suit on. It really is the highest level of protection currently available. I wear it when street riding. The sizing is the same as my tech air 5. I am 165cm and 60kg and wear a size XS. I once again found sports bike track gear to be excellent to deal with. I recommend this product and the associated race suit.

2. Alpinestars Tech Air 10

3

Posted by Mike L. on 28th Jun 2023

I want to like this product but it has too many issues to work in a racing environment.
Pros: Airbag protection, comfortable by itself, seems well constructed
Cons: Way hot, as in way too hot, fit under properly sized suit is awkward, hard to get leathers on over large back hump, airbag itself bunches up and folds while trying to get suit on, cumbersome and restrictive inside suit, limits natural movement.
I love the idea of this product but the execution needs work for racing. It is ridiculously hot, even in mild low 80's temps. Once temps hit mid 90's and higher in our Colorado race season, no way I could survive the heat in this thing, its like wearing a plastic bag under your leathers, no air moves through it. That along with the cumbersome fit are the biggest issues. I tried racing in it but couldn't do it, just too hot and too uncomfortable. They'll get it right eventually but this version needs work to be viable for amateur racers in warm climates.

3. Alpinestars Tech Air 10

3

Posted by Mike L. on 27th Jun 2023

I love the idea of this product but the execution is not that good for racing here in Colorado.
Pros: Airbag protection, fairly comfortable (alone, not in suit)
Cons: Hot, as in way too hot, fit under suit is awkward, back protector and battery/inflator unit is very bulky in suit, hard to get suit on over it, also, the air bag itself often got bunched up or folded over while trying to put on suit. The biggest issue though is the overheating compared to my regular back protector and chest protector. It was a relatively mild race day (low 80's) and I was unreasonably hot. Once the temps hit the 90's and even 100's here on race days, there's no way I could wear this. I love the idea of a stand alone airbag system but it needs improvement in fit and cooling before I would wear again for racing.

4. Battery discharges overnight

1

Posted by Mark Shaw on 12th Jun 2023

There is a know flaw with the system which cause the battery to discharge between 10-20% every 24hrs even when off. This is being worked on, but as of now you need to manage that hassle. Forget to plug in the morning of the ride or track day, and you may have no battery to power the system. Besides that, the sizing is accurate, the fit is comfortable, and it is easy to get into your leathers. It should provide the best coverage out there, if you crash...assuming you have battery power.

5. Battery discharges overnight

1

Posted by Mark Shaw on 8th Jun 2023

Owner of Tech air Race and Tech air 5. This Tech air 10 is widely reported to have a battery discharge issue when off. Experienced this as well. Purchased it, received it with a fully discharged battery, charged it to full, and it lost 30% of the charge just sitting for 12 hours before use. Commonly reported problem. Remove from the market until fixed. Unacceptable.

6. Do Not Buy. Serious Issues.

1

Posted by Craig Hawkins on 18th Apr 2023

Used for one track day. 4 weeks later, go to charge it...dead. Won't charge at all. Do some internet research and you'll find this is common.

Even on track day, the battery drained to near zero from 100% in 8 hours (not 20+ as advertised).

When not in use, it drains from 100 to 0 in just a couple days. People have started hooking this up to smart outlets to keep it charged so it won't brick (which happens if it hits 0 charge).

I sent mine back to Alpinestars for repair. But other people have had the same issues after repair. Now I have no suit for track day (after spending a grand).

Not happy. I do not trust this device for safety.

I'll update this review if the suit works 100% after repair. But it must hold a charge.

7. Tight fit under TechAIr Race suit, changing from Tech Air Race to the 10 may require a larger size suit

3

Posted by jas67 on 6th Mar 2023

This review is not necessarily meant to be a negative review, so much as to make people aware that this airbag may not fit comfortably under a suit that they are currently using with the Tech Air Race airbag vest.

I stupidly thought my Tech Air Race airbag was no longer working, and ordered this because the Tech Air Race is no longer made, and wasn't available.

I have a Missile Ignition Tech Air Race compatible suit, which I've used with the Tech Air Race airbag for two seasons. It fits me great with the Tech Air Race airbag zipped in.

When I put the Tech Air 10 airbag on, getting the suit over the shoulders is a struggle. Getting it off is a struggle too.

Also, once I have the suit on and zipped up, things are too tight and restrictive.

As I'm on the short side (5'8") for the size 52 suit I have, going up to a 54 would certainly result in a suit too tall for me, likely requiring a custom suit.

I'd love to have the additional protection of the Tech Air 10, but, don't want to invest in a custom suit right now. STG got some Tech Air Race vests in stock, so, I'm returning the 10, and ordered a Race instead. Of course, AFTER I ordered it, I figured out the problem with the one I already have, but, will keep the new Race as a backup.

I hope this is helpful.

Stay safe out there.

8. Tech Air 10

2

Posted by andrew branson on 1st Mar 2023

First system battery was dead every time I tried to use it, eventually wouldn’t even turn on at all. Sent back to Alpinestars, they replaced the whole thing. Ran it 3 days since and 2 of the 3 days the system powered off between sessions and luckily I checked it and had to unvelcro the waist then reattach to turn it back on. Contacted Alpinestars again about that issue and they stopped responding to emails….My tech 5 has worked great so far but I’m losing confidence in the Tech Air 10 quickly.

9. Used once and broke

1

Posted by DK on 16th May 2022

Doesn't work after one use. Won't arm. Contacted Alpinestars and they said they'd get back to me when their tech can look at it. Stuck with an unusable airbag and no path to resolution. Wicked bad product and customer service.