Alpinestars’ New Tech-Air 5 Plasma Airbag Vest Looks Super Sleek and Versatile

This standalone system works with pretty much anything in your gear arsenal.

Photo by: Alpinestars

By: Enrico Punsalang

Mar 14, at 7:07am ET

Comment

Alpinestars has just raised the bar for motorcycle gear with the new Tech-Air 5 Plasma, a next-generation airbag vest designed to be sleeker, more adaptable, and compatible with nearly any riding discipline. Unlike traditional airbag systems that are integrated into specific jackets or require bulky external modules, the Tech-Air 5 Plasma is meant to be worn under any jacket.

So yes, that means top-tier protection without being locked into a specific style or setup. Don't believe me?

The biggest advantage here is versatility. The airbag system works with whatever you’re wearing. Conceal it beneath your leathers when you’re tearing up the track, wear it under your vest or jacket when cruising on a bagger, or toss a textile jacket over it when carving twisties or just commuting to and from work. It’s slim enough to fit comfortably under most jackets, so you don’t have to sacrifice your personal style or comfort.

On top of that, it’s surprisingly light—just 1.53 kg (3.37 pounds)—which Alpinestars says is over 25 percent lighter than its predecessor. The full-stretch chassis keeps things breathable and flexible, so it won’t restrict your movement, and with a moisture-wicking treatment, it stays fresh even after long rides. Plus, it’s fully washable, which is always a nice bonus.

Alpinestars packed the Tech-Air 5 Plasma with the same airbag technology trusted by MotoGP riders, but made it practical for everyday use. It has six built-in sensors—two tri-axial accelerometers and a gyroscope—that constantly track your movements. These sensors allow the system to detect a crash and deploy the airbag in just 1/40th of a second.

Photo by: Alpinestars

Despite its compact form factor, it provides ample coverage to vital areas of your torso when deployed.

For even more adaptability, you can switch between Street, Race, and Off-Road modes with a simple push of a button, even while wearing gloves.

When it comes to coverage, the Tech-Air 5 Plasma has your back—literally. The airbag inflates to protect your chest, ribs, back, and shoulders, while the integrated Nucleon Plasma back protector adds an extra layer of impact absorption without adding bulk. And since this is an Alpinestars product, it’s been rigorously tested and meets CE Level 2 certification for back and chest protection. That means it offers some of the highest-rated airbag safety you can get.

One of the best improvements here is the user-replaceable gas canister. Unlike older models that needed a trip to a service center for a reset, you can now swap out the canister yourself after deployment. The system allows up to six resets before a full airbag replacement is needed, which helps cut down on maintenance costs. The battery life is solid too, offering up to 30 hours of riding time on a single charge, and recharging is easy via USB-C. Bluetooth connectivity lets you sync the vest with the Tech-Air app to check battery levels, update firmware, and run diagnostics.

And then comes the price. At $789.95, the Tech-Air 5 Plasma isn’t cheap, and for a lot of riders, that price is tough to swallow. But if it’s within your budget, having this level of protection on every ride just makes sense. You don’t need to be a racer to benefit from airbag technology, and with the Tech-Air 5 Plasma, Alpinestars has made it easier than ever to bring that safety to everyday riding.