Alpinestars

Alpinestars: Italian Craftsmanship Meets Championship-Proven Performance

Few names in motorsport carry the weight and heritage of Alpinestars. Founded in 1963 by Sante Mazzarolo, a master leather craftsman from Asolo in the Veneto region of northern Italy, the brand took its name from the perennial Alpine star flower — and from the very beginning, it was built on a philosophy of pushing protective gear to its limits. What started as purpose-built motocross footwear grew into a global powerhouse that now outfits competitors across motorcycle racing, motocross, Formula 1, NASCAR, rally, and mountain biking.

Mazzarolo identified early on that a new sport called motocross demanded a new kind of protection. The revolutionary boot he designed set an archetype for rider safety that the industry would follow for decades. By the late 1970s, Alpinestars had expanded into road racing, and three-time MotoGP champion Kenny Roberts brought their footwear to racetracks around the world. Champions like Kevin Schwantz, Mick Doohan, and motocross legends Ricky Johnson and Jeremy McGrath all built their winning careers wearing Alpinestars gear — a legacy of performance that continues to define the brand today.

Alpinestars entered the four-wheel motorsport world in 1990, and the auto racing community embraced the brand immediately. Today, their racing shoes and racing suits are trusted by drivers across F1, NASCAR, WRC, and endurance racing, with many products carrying FIA homologation for professional competition. The brand's technical standards — from fire-resistant Nomex construction to ergonomically pre-curved suit designs — reflect decades of data gathered at the highest levels of motorsport.

On two wheels, Alpinestars continues to lead the field. Their boots are widely regarded among the most advanced in motocross and road racing, featuring sophisticated ankle bracing systems and impact-absorbing materials developed through real-world racing feedback. Their helmets and jackets bring the same race-tested engineering to riders at every level, from weekend trail riders to professional athletes. One standout innovation is the Tech-Air® airbag system, integrated into specific suits and jackets to provide an additional layer of protection during impacts.

Through more than six decades, Alpinestars has remained privately held and rooted in its Italian origins. That independence has allowed the brand to invest deeply in research, testing under extreme race conditions, and hands-on collaboration with elite athletes. Every product — from a racing shoe designed for pedal feel to a multi-layer racing suit engineered for fire protection — reflects a commitment to the idea that the best gear is developed where the stakes are highest.