Alpinestars Atem Motorcycle Race Suit Review: Dynamic Friction Shield Technology Protects Shoulders and Elbows

Alpinestars Atem Overview

Alpinestars Atem Motorcycle Race Suit protects riders with 1.3 mm leather, suitable for those seeking a 2-piece suit with aero hump protection.

Riders wearing a 2-piece motorcycle race suit gain the ability to enter and exit their gear more easily than in a one-piece design. This trade-off between ease of use and aerodynamic integrity is a primary consideration for many track enthusiasts.

The Alpinestars Atem provides this 2-piece construction alongside an aero hump, which helps with aerodynamics while maintaining a manageable fit. It also features a one-piece, CE-approved GP-R knee/shin protector with floating construction for impact protection.

We evaluated 10 motorcycle race suits and selected 7 for full review based on rating and brand limits. This review is for buyers seeking a 2-piece suit with an aero hump, and our full review is based on a data-driven spec breakdown of the options we compared.

The Short Answer on the Alpinestars Atem

Best for: you need a 2-piece racing bike suit that includes pre-installed protection and stretch panels for mobility during track use.

The Alpinestars Atem is a capable choice for this requirement at the $1299.95 price point.

• Pro: 1.3 mm leather thickness provides enough protection for the easier end of high-speed friction requirements.
• Pro: Stretch panels on the torso, arms, crotch, and back of knees improve movement during active riding.
• Pro: Included Alpinestars one-piece GP-R knee/shin protector provides a dedicated protection point.
• Con: The 1.3 mm leather is at the lower end of the 1.2 to 1.5 mm range needed for heavy abrasion over long slides.
• Con: A single buyer rating provides insufficient data to confirm the long-term reliability of the suit.

Don’t buy this if: you require a leather thickness exceeding 1.3 mm to handle heavy-duty abrasion over long slide durations.

Price assessment: The $1299.95 price is fair for a suit featuring Alpinestars Dynamic Friction Shield technology and an aero hump.

If you are still deciding, see our guide for the best motorcycle race suit for track riding to narrow down your choices.

Full Technical Specifications for this Motorcycle Race Suit

The 1.3 mm leather thickness measures the depth of the hide material from surface to surface.

To understand the core technology, read our guide on how a motorcycle race suit works for a deep dive into safety layers.

Before You Buy: Biker Racing Suit Checklist

The first thing to check is the leather thickness to ensure the material can withstand the friction of a high-speed slide.

• ☐ Confirm the leather thickness is at least 1.3 mm — if the material is thinner, it may suffer abrasive friction melt and tear instantly during a slide.
• ☐ Verify the suit construction is a 2-piece design — a 2-piece layout allows you to put on and take off the gear more easily than a one-piece suit.
• ☐ Check for the presence of stretch panels on the torso, arms, and crotch — missing panels can lead to size-induced mobility loss that restricts your movement.
• ☐ Ensure the armor type is CE-certified — padding that lacks this standard may result in impact energy transfer, where the suit fails to dissipate energy and causes internal injury.
• ☐ Confirm the inclusion of an aero hump — this component manages the airflow over your back to maintain stability at speed.

You should not buy this product if you require a one-piece suit for maximum aerodynamic integrity or if you need a leather thickness exceeding 1.3 mm for heavy-duty track use.

What These Specifications Let You Do

How Dynamic Friction Shield technology protects the leather during slides

The Alpinestars Atem features external Dynamic Friction Shield (DFS) technology on the shoulder, elbow, and knee protectors to manage heat and friction during a slide. This specific protection technology provides a barrier that helps the leather maintain its integrity against abrasive friction melt, a failure mode where low-quality materials can tear or melt instantly at high speeds. Because the Alpinestars Atem uses 1.3 mm leather, it provides enough material to withstand heavy abrasion over a long slide at the easier end of the expected range.

You can rely on these specific zones to maintain their shape during a slide because the DFS technology is designed to dissipate heat and friction. Does this provide enough coverage for high-speed track use? The Alpinestars Atem includes these protectors across the primary impact points to ensure the leather remains functional during a slide. This 1.3 mm thickness is sufficient for a full season of track use, though it sits at the lower end of the 1.2 to 1.5 mm range required for heavy-duty endurance.

How the floating GP-R knee construction allows for natural leg movement

The Alpinestars Atem includes a one-piece, CE-approved GP-R knee/shin protector with a floating construction to allow for natural movement. Floating construction means the protector can move independently of the suit’s main body, which helps prevent the armor from pinching your skin or restricting your leg’s range of motion. This design allows you to maintain mobility while ensuring the protection remains correctly positioned over the knee and shin bones during active riding.

The Alpinestars Atem also incorporates stretch panels on the sides of the torso, arms, crotch, and back of knees to further support this mobility. These panels work with the floating knee protector to ensure the suit does not bind when you move your legs forward or backward. By combining 1.3 mm leather with these specific flex points, the suit balances the need for a durable shell with the requirement for a comfortable, non-restrictive fit during a race.

How the aero hump reduces drag and smooths airflow over the spine

The Alpinestars Atem features an aero hump, which is a structural protrusion on the back designed to smooth airflow over the rider’s spine. This hump serves a technical purpose by filling the gap between the helmet and the suit, reducing drag and preventing the suit from flapping at high speeds. For a budget-first shopper, this means the suit provides a more streamlined profile that mimics the performance of high-end racing gear.

While many entry-level suits omit this feature, the Alpinestars Atem includes it to ensure the suit remains stable under high-velocity airflow. You might wonder if the hump provides a significant aerodynamic advantage; it creates a continuous surface for air to flow over, which helps maintain stability on the straights. This design choice ensures that the suit functions as a cohesive piece of racing equipment rather than just a protective garment.

Which Jobs the Alpinestars Atem Handles, Worked Out From Its Specs

The Alpinestars Atem against the jobs buyers ask about, worked out from its listed leather thickness and a typical need for each job.

Riders who prefer separate components should compare the best 2pc motorcycle racing leather track suit options available today.

The Alpinestars Atem Against Similar Motorcycle Race Suits

When you are sliding on the asphalt during a track session, the thickness of the leather determines how well it resists tearing. The Alpinestars Atem features 1.3 mm leather, which provides protection at the easier end of the 1.2 to 1.5 mm range required to withstand heavy abrasion or a full season of track use.

How this Motorcycle Race Suit compares to other similar racing suits

The Alpinestars Atem ranks first in buyer ratings among the similar products we compared, despite having a small sample of 1 rating.

• The Noru Twenty-Eight 7373-2105-08 is $999.96 cheaper than the Alpinestars Atem.
• The PERRINI W335R-M Motorcycle Racing Riding Leather Track Suit provides 1.4-1.5mm thick leather, which is thicker than the 1.3 mm found on the Alpinestars Atem.
• The Joe Rocket Speedmaster 5.0 Leather 2-Piece Suit ties with the Alpinestars Atem at a 2-piece construction.
• The RST TRACTECH EVO D3O Motorcycle Race Suit is $499.96 cheaper than the Alpinestars Atem.

If you need a more budget-friendly option with thicker leather, choose the PERRINI W335R-M Motorcycle Racing Riding Leather Track Suit.

You can also view our full breakdown of the X-MEN Racing Suit to see how it handles high-speed maneuvers.

For a different aesthetic, examine the Noru Twenty-Eight performance specs to see how it compares to the Atem.

Setting Up This Motorcycle Race Suit, and What Support Covers

Setting up your This Racing Bike Suit

You must have a dedicated space to fit the suit before you begin the assembly process.

1. Unpack the suit and verify the 1.3 mm leather surface is free of shipping debris.
2. Check the placement of the stretch panels on the torso, arms, and crotch to ensure they align with your body.
3. Locate the Alpinestars one-piece GP-R knee/shin protector and click it into the floating construction housing.
4. Verify the aero hump is secured to the back of the suit before your first use.

How warranty and support policies vary by seller and country

Warranty coverage and return policies differ by seller and country.

• Confirm the CE protection level of the included armor to ensure it meets your specific track requirements.
• Verify the leather thickness is exactly 1.3 mm to ensure the material meets your durability expectations.
• Check that the replacement armor fits the existing mounting points if you plan to swap protection levels later.
• Ensure your race boots are compatible with the suit’s movement range before your first ride.

Inspect the leather for any manufacturing defects or stitching irregularities the day it arrives.

Alpinestars Atem Buying Questions Answered

How does the Alpinestars Atem 316651512354 perform in high-speed slides?

The Alpinestars Atem 316651512354 utilizes 1.3 mm leather to withstand heavy abrasion over a long slide. This thickness is sufficient for the easier end of the required 1.2 to 1.5 mm range to prevent abrasive friction melt during track use.

What protection features does the Alpinestars Atem 316651512354 include?

The Alpinestars Atem 316651512354 features external Alpinestars Dynamic Friction Shield (DFS) technology, which provides specialized protection for the shoulder, elbow, and knee. It also includes a one-piece, CE-approved GP-R knee/shin protector with a floating construction to help dissipate impact energy.

Does the Alpinestars Atem 316651512354 have an aerodynamic hump?

Yes, the Alpinestars Atem 316651512354 includes an aero hump, which is a streamlined ridge designed to smooth the airflow over the rider’s back. This specific design helps maintain aerodynamic integrity while riding at high speeds on a track.

How does the Alpinestars Atem 316651512354 accommodate movement?

The Alpinestars Atem 316651512354 includes stretch panels on the sides of the torso, arms, crotch, and back of the knees. These panels allow for better mobility, helping to prevent size-induced mobility loss that occurs when a suit restricts emergency movement.

Is the Alpinestars Atem 316651512354 a 1-piece or 2-piece suit?

The Alpinestars Atem 316651512354 is a 2-piece suit, which offers a trade-off between aerodynamic integrity and ease of entry/exit. Because it is a 2-piece design, you can remove the upper and lower sections separately rather than sliding out of a single garment.

What is the leather thickness on the Alpinestars Atem 316651512354?

The Alpinestars Atem 316651512354 uses 1.3 mm leather, which measures the depth of the hide material from surface to surface. This thickness provides the material base needed to endure a full season of track use.

Is the Alpinestars Atem Right for You?

Who the Alpinestars Atem suits and the jobs it is the wrong choice for, listed below with the reason for each.

If leather isn’t your preference, explore the alternatives to a motorcycle race suit for different styles of high-speed protection.

Where to Buy This Motorcycle Race Suit

The Alpinestars Atem sat at $1299.95 in the listing data from November 2026; the price you see at checkout can differ.

Motorcycle race suits are sold by the retailers below – we do not track which of them has the Alpinestars Atem in stock, so check availability and the current price with the retailer before making a trip.

• Summit Racing (online and physical stores) — large inventory of performance motorcycle parts and apparel
• RevZilla (online only) — extensive selection of high-end and entry-level brands
• Cycle Gear (online and physical stores) — physical locations for in-person fitting and sizing
• FortNine (online only) — curated selection of gear with detailed technical reviews
• Amazon (online only) — wide variety of budget-friendly and unbranded options
• MotoGear (online only) — specialized inventory of protective riding gear

New riders might prefer to view the best motorcycle race suit for beginners to find a more approachable entry point.

Final Verdict on the Alpinestars Atem

If you are a track rider who needs a 2-piece motorcycle race suit that balances protection with mobility, the Alpinestars Atem is a practical choice at the $1299.95 mark. You might lose the added durability of a thicker hide if you prioritize a lighter feel, but this suit provides a specific set of protections for the circuit.

The Alpinestars Atem features 1.3 mm leather, which provides enough material to withstand high-speed friction without melting during a slide. This thickness sits at the easier end of the 1.2 to 1.5 mm range required to endure a full season of track use or heavy abrasion over a long slide.

The suit includes stretch panels on the sides of the torso, arms, crotch, and back of knees to assist with movement. For added protection, the Alpinestars Atem incorporates external Dynamic Friction Shield (DFS) technology on the shoulders, elbows, and knees, along with a one-piece, CE-approved GP-R knee/shin protector with a floating construction. An aero hump is included to manage airflow over the rider’s back.

While the Alpinestars Atem holds a 5.0 rating, this average is based on only 1 buyer rating, which is a sample size too small to conclude anything about the product’s long-term reliability. The 1.3 mm leather is the primary material defining its durability for the rider.

You should choose the Alpinestars Atem if you want a 2-piece racing bike suit that includes specific protective hardware like the DFS technology and a dedicated knee/shin protector. The 1.3 mm leather offers a baseline of protection that meets the requirements for track use, though it does not reach the higher end of the 1.5 mm thickness scale.

If you require a suit with a heavier leather hide for maximum slide durability, the Alpinestars Atem may not be the right fit. The 1.3 mm leather is sufficient for standard track use but offers less material than heavier alternatives.

You should choose the Alpinestars Atem if you need a 2-piece motorcycle race suit that balances mobility with specific track-ready protection at the $1299.95 price point. The included aero hump and stretch panels provide a functional setup for the circuit.

The Alpinestars Atem provides 1.3 mm leather, which provides the necessary material to withstand friction and sliding during a race.

Skip it if: You require a leather thickness exceeding 1.3 mm for heavy-duty endurance or if you prefer a one-piece suit construction for maximum aerodynamic integrity.