Does the Alpinestars Atem 2-Piece Street Motorcycle Race Suit feature a floating construction for the knee and shin protectors?

You must measure the width of your riding boots to ensure the protector has enough clearance to move without hitting the boot. This suit is a leather motorcycle racing suit designed to protect the body from impacts and road friction during high-speed riding.

Alpinestars Atem leather and floating knee protector design features

The Alpinestars Atem utilizes 1.3 mm leather to provide a baseline of protection against abrasive friction melt, a failure mode where low-quality materials tear or melt during a slide. We selected this suit for our comparison because it includes the Alpinestars one-piece, CE-approved GP-R knee/shin protector with floating construction. A floating design allows the impact protection—the material used to absorb energy during a crash—to move independently of the suit’s main body to better dissipate force. Because the listing does not specify a tether system or loose-fit sleeve, the exact range of motion is not stated. You should verify if the slider has enough clearance from your specific boot model to ensure the floating mechanism is not restricted.

You can find our full Alpinestars Atem spec breakdown to see how the materials hold up.

How buyer ratings and protector clearance affect Alpinestars Atem fit

The Alpinestars Atem carries a 5.0 rating from 1 buyer, though a sample this small settles nothing regarding long-term reliability. Choosing a suit with restricted protector movement can lead to a return if the armor interferes with your gear. A buyer first identifies their boot size, then checks the protector’s physical travel range, and finally confirms the armor sits correctly over the shin without binding.

For quick answers regarding common questions, view the Alpinestars Atem faq section.

What to Check Before Buying the Alpinestars Atem

• Verify if the GP-R knee/shin protector is pre-installed or requires manual mounting.
• Measure the clearance between your riding boots and the knee slider to ensure the floating design can move freely.
• Confirm the 1.3 mm leather thickness meets your specific requirements for track use or street riding.
• Check the placement of the stretch panels on the torso and back of the knees to ensure they align with your range of motion.

Choosing the Right Motorcycle Race Suit

The Alpinestars Atem is designed for riders who need a 2-piece construction for easier entry and exit while maintaining high-level protection. Riders who require maximum possible leather thickness or specialized racing features beyond the 1.3 mm leather and aero hump might look at alternatives that offer heavier-duty materials. If you need a suit that balances mobility with standard-setting protection, the Alpinestars Atem is a suitable option.

To understand how the gear handles high-speed maneuvers, see how the Alpinestars Atem performs.

If you require a suit that balances protection with ease of use, choose the Alpinestars Atem.

Riders looking for gender-specific gear should browse our top rated women’s motorcycle race suit options.

Reviewed by the Used New Car editorial team. Used New Car writes these guides from the 78 most-reviewed motorcycle race suit listings in our retail dataset, not from manufacturer copy.