Alpinestars Youth Bionic Tech Protection Jacket – long-sleeve youth body armour for MTB enduro, downhill and motocross
A long-sleeve youth protection jacket that covers a young rider's torso and arms in one piece: CE Level 2 on the chest and spine, Level 1 on the shoulders and elbows. The Alpinestars Youth Bionic Tech Protection Jacket is derived from race motocross body armour. A Polyhedron Hybrid Technology chest protector, a flexible viscoelastic back protector and Nucleon Flex Plus joint guards ride on a breathable stretch-mesh chassis that moves with every turn of the body. It comes in two sizes for kids aged 6 to 12 (height 120–160 cm). MTB enduro, downhill and bike park riding come first, and it works just as well on a motocross track.
Key features: Alpinestars Youth Bionic Tech
- CE Level 2 chest and back (EN 1621-3:2018 / EN 1621-2:2014): the higher of the two levels both front and rear – over the sternum, the ribs and the full length of the spine.
- Nucleon Flex Plus shoulder and elbow guards (EN 1621-1:2012, Level 1): built right into the sleeves, so both joints are covered without separate arm protectors.
- Flexible viscoelastic back protector: follows the curve of the back, stiffens on impact to protect, and stays bendable and ventilated the rest of the time.
- Floating chest, back and rib guards: not stitched rigidly to the chassis, so they pivot with the torso when leaning over the bars or taking a deep breath.
- 17% ventilation apertures through every layer: the openings in the hybrid layers of the chest protector line up, so air reaches all the way to the body.
- V-straps: adjustable V-shaped straps pull the jacket in to the child's build so the protectors stay where they belong.
- Alpinestars YNS neck brace compatible: a removable puck panel on the back and elasticated pull tabs get the jacket ready for the youth neck brace.
- Detachable chest and back protectors: come out separately, so the mesh jacket can be washed without them.
Sleeves instead of separate elbow pads
Stand-alone elbow pads rely on a sleeve and a couple of straps to stay on a child's arm. On the Bionic Tech Youth the Nucleon Flex Plus guards sit inside sleeves that are part of the whole jacket, so the joint stays covered even when a kid goes over the bars. Nucleon Flex Plus is soft and pliable – the arm bends freely under braking and through tight corners. The jacket is worn under the jersey, and the thin stretch-mesh sleeves don't get in the way under a loose MTB or motocross top.
What the CE levels mean for each zone
The EN 1621 standards were written for motorcycle protective gear and measure how much impact force a protector passes on to the body. On the back (EN 1621-2), Level 2 allows no more than 9 kN, Level 1 double that. The Bionic Tech Youth carries the stricter Level 2 on both the back and the chest (EN 1621-3). Shoulders and elbows (EN 1621-1) are Level 1 with a 35 kN limit – a thinner, more flexible guard that leaves the arms free to work the bars.
Viscoelastic back protector and floating mounts
A viscoelastic material behaves like soft foam until something hits it. On a sharp impact it stiffens, spreads the force over a larger area and then returns to its original shape. That lets the back protector flex with the spine while riding, even in a deep tuck on a downhill bike. The chest, back and rib guards are mounted loosely to the chassis, so each one pivots on its own as the torso moves.
Ventilation, washing and the YNS neck brace
Ventilation apertures make up 17% of the chest protector surface and are aligned through each layer – air doesn't just skim the top layer, it reaches the body. The mesh chassis breathes in the areas between the protectors too. After a ride, the chest and back protectors come out and the jacket goes in the wash without them. A rider using an Alpinestars YNS (Youth Neck Support) brace removes the puck panel on the back and the brace seats directly on the jacket.
Choosing the size
Chest circumference, measured at the fullest point under the arms, decides it. S/M fits a 60.5–70.5 cm chest and 120–140 cm height (ages 6–8), L/XL a 70.5–80.5 cm chest and 140–160 cm height (ages 9–12). The jacket should fit snug. A loose one shifts in a crash and the protector ends up away from the spot it's meant to cover.
Full technical parameters are available in the Specification tab, and the size chart is in the product photo gallery.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is the Bionic Tech Youth worn under or over the jersey?
Under it. The chassis and sleeves are thin stretch mesh, so they sit comfortably under a loose MTB or motocross jersey and keep the protectors right against the body.
Does my kid need separate elbow pads with this jacket?
No. The shoulders and elbows are covered by Nucleon Flex Plus guards in the sleeves, certified to CE Level 1 (EN 1621-1). The jacket ends at the waist, so knee pads are still needed for the legs.
My child is 140 cm tall – S/M or L/XL?
140 cm sits right on the border between the two sizes, so chest circumference decides: up to 70.5 cm S/M, above 70.5 cm L/XL. If in doubt, try the jacket on in our store – it should be snug without pressing into the armpits.
Is the jacket suitable for motocross?
Yes. It is derived from Alpinestars race motocross gear, and the EN 1621 standards it is certified to were written for motorcycle protection. Paired with the YNS neck brace it covers the torso and neck for youth motocross.
How do I wash the jacket?
Remove the chest and back protectors and wash the jacket without them. The temperature and washing method are on the manufacturer's care label.
