Alpinestars Gunner WP Jacket

I unfortunately (but fortunately) had the opportunity to try out the Gunner WP jacket in a motorcycle accident. I came into a corner too hot where there was snow and water. I believe I panicked and had target fixation. I ended up low-siding pretty hard and tumbling sideways on the pavement. Lesson learned. Before I go on I want to emphasize the importance of purchasing the Nucleon Back Insert for this jacket for I believe it saved my back from some pretty heavy damage... In the tumble I hit both elbows, my back, and right shoulder pretty hard. My back took most of the hit and I could feel the Nucleon insert absorb the impact. It surprised me actually on how it softened the the blow. Almost like rolling on a mat. My elbows were uninjured and right shoulder lightly tweaked. My main injury from the crash is a strained spine from my body twisting. I really wonder how much worse it would have been if I didn't have this jacket and the insert had hit I the ground. The jacket held up quite well, though I didn't slide much so I can't review on the abrasion resistance. I'm confident in still using it when I replace the padding. You can see the points of impact wear the fabric looks slightly worn. -

Unfortunately my Yamaha FZ07 didn't fare too well which is okay considering how much worse my injuries could have been. I also had leg protectors, boots, gloves, and of course a helmet, but that's all for another review.

Jacket is American cut. I'm 5'11" 175 lbs and bought a size L.

*Head to toe gear for the win*

Stay safe.

Id like to start by saying I bought this jacket a year ago so I have ridden with it quite a few times.

Background: I am 25 y.o. from the boston area so temps range from 0-100 depending on the season. I put about 12000 miles on my bike last year and rode atleast 2 times every month of the year(aka if it ain't snowin im goin). I am 5'9" average build and about 170lbs and wear Medium size.

Temp control: Last winter I rode through the whole year(january and february included) from local to highway speeds. With the liner and a thin sweatshirt underneath I was riding highway speeds at about 20-25F so basically 10F with windchill and I was 100% tolerable. This jacket is great in cold weather well worth the money for cold riding. When removing the liner and just shirt and jacket riding it is tolerable up to about 60 or 70 degrees due to the great airflow of the jacket but this is NOT and all season jacket. If functionality for fall winter spring is your most important factor this is your jacket.

Fitment: The jacket is athletic build. It is snug with liner in roomy without liner. I am able to fit a light zip up sweatshirt over my compression winter longsleeve and the liner without feeling constricted. I can also fit my sasquatch fox thermal hoodie(bulky) without the liner. I do feel somewhat stiff when riding in this jacket but for the weather protection it is expected. Overall the fitment is good.

Comfort: This is my overall biggest gripe with the jacket but with some enginuity I have bypassed the issue to make this jacket my perfect winter gear. The collar on this guy is SUPER abrasive. Anything over an hour ride will create a rash that burns like he** on your neck. Since my discovery I now will only use this jacket with a hoodie or head wrap that will cover the area just below my neck hairline on the sides of my neck right about at the jawline. And now no more comfort issues.
-Also with comfort I notice with the collar my head turning ability is somewhat restricted not exactly sure why but I do feel much more stiff in this jacket vs when I ride without it.


Durability: I have recently noticed the main zipper has broken open on me a few occasional times but has always been fine after a quick rezip fix. Stitching is holding up well no rips or tears.

Overall: Well worth the money if you ride in cold weather. A key additive to your winter gear assembly. And has style points with the design.

I have several other riding jackets; the only reason I bought the Gunner was to have a cold weather jacket, so the most important aspect for me is how well it protects from the cold. In that, and in may other respects, it performs admirably.

I usually cut off my riding, even in cold weather gear, under 40 degrees, but I had to get my bike in for service, and the first day off I had with somewhat dry roads was low to mid 30s. My arms, back, and neck stayed comfy and warm in the Gunner at top speeds around 70. I usually wear a neck warmer on cold days but the Gunner's high, microfiber-lined collar (on both the shell and the thermal liner) made it unnecessary even at sub-35 temps and highway speeds. At high speeds I did feel some cold air penetrating the zipper, but there is a large flap (I imagine for waterproofing) behind the zipper that I may be able to position to improve that situation. Regardless, it wasn't enough airflow to really make me uncomfortably cold.

This jacket does run big for Alpinestars - I'm 6'2" and about 200 lbs., and typically wear a 54 jacket and a 56 suit from Astars - but I wear a large in the Gunner and it fits perfectly with the thermal liner zipped in. I think this would run even more than one size large if I were to wear it without the liner. It might run true to size if you wear some really thick layers under it, which I can't see being necessary. I wear two layers under it - a long sleeve thermal shirt and a long sleeve t-shirt, and the large fits perfectly and keeps me nice and warm even when it's close to freezing out.

As for the other features that one would expect of any top name brand riding jacket like Alpinestars, it's all there. CE armor, pockets for chest and back protectors, heck this thing has pockets for everything, with WP zips to keep your stuff dry to boot. The puffy nature of this jacket with its thick thermal lining keeps the forearm and shoulder armor further from my body than I'm used to, but it seems to stay in place even moving around on the bike. And the velcro straps around the biceps in case it's a little too roomy are a nice touch.

The Gunner is a great buy at the regular price, but if you can grab one of the 2014 leftovers on closeout it's an outright steal - unfortunately my size / color combo wasn't available on closeout but I have no regrets on the 2015 model - worth every penny.

I tried on a large, but the biceps were super tight, and XXL had the sleeves too long. I went with the XL, which has enough room for me (185lb, 5'10", 42" chest, athletic build).

Only ridden it in warm/cool weather (70F sunny and 49F night), and it's been not too cold or hot at 20-85mph. Standing around, it can get pretty toasty even without the liner, but that's not why you bought it.

The construction is solid, feels way better than some of the similarly priced ICON jackets.

Only nitpicks are that the sleeves are kind of bulky when velcroed closed, so they don't really fit under my gauntlets, but they work perfectly over.

Definitely upgrade the back padding, it's literally some foam I wouldn't use as a laptop case for... your back is worth more than that.

I am a just a college student trying to commute 23 miles to work and 15 to school in rainy oregon. I have been looking for a jacket that is good for all weather and this is it. I have had big jackets that do the job but this is the perfect mix between a rad style and great comfort. I gave it an average on features because it is just a jacket. No bells and whistles, a few vents and just a jacket. But for those of us who don't want to look like Iron Man walking into a restaurant meeting family for dinner, this jacket is a slick, classic look. These guys sold it just right, Revzilla just won me as a consistent customer.

I work the graveyard shift, so as you can imagine, I've ridden through some pretty cold temperatures. Bought this back at the end of fall when a hoodie over a mesh jacket just wasn't cutting it.
Functionality-
[COLD]The lowest temperatures I've seen in this jacket were around 25ºF and it still kept me pretty warm with nothing but a light t-shirt underneath. The only problem I have experienced was some wind coming through the zipper around the area where it meets the neck strap. Solved that problem with a neck warmer. [WARM] With the liner out, I've used it up to the mid 70s before switching to my summer jacket. I'd say you could maybe push it to 80, depending on your heat tolerance. [WET] As far as I can tell, the waterproofing works well. I've been out in the rain a handful of times, and even in heavy rain, it did its job. My socks and pants might've looked like I walked through a lake, but my shirt and everything in my jacket pockets stayed completely dry.
Fit-
I'm 6'2-6'3 155lbs and wear a size L in just about all my shirts/jackets and this was no exception. But even as skinny as I am, the arms can get a bit tight even for me, if the liner gets twisted up. I don't think you'd really need to, but if you're planning on layering, you may want to go a size up.
Air Flow-
With the liner in, no air gets through other than at the top of the zipper, like I mentioned earlier. Air flow is decent with liner out, just don't expect the same level of air flow as mesh or perf leather (obviously).

I have ridden this jacket in the 50s F and it kept me warm. The main issue is the arms. They are really tight. I have a medium and I'm a thin guy and the arms still feel tight. The torso and chest are ok but this jacket allows no room for layering in really cold weather. The collar does rub sometimes and that can be annoying. If I was going to ride in the cold often I would not recommend this jacket. Construction of jacket is good but fit is just as important because poor fitting apparel will actually wear you out if it's uncomfortable.

Bought this a few days ago and decided to try it while siting on the bike. I am 6'2 at 225 with an athletic build. If you are even SOMEWHAT of an athlete and don't have tiny little arms, this jacket will SQUEEZE you at the shoulder blades and right on the bottom of your biceps. I even practiced doing head checks and immediately noticed my neck being chafed. Exchanging it for a 2XL will only give you room around the belly and little more room in the sleeves. Apparently all italians have tiny arms and narrow shoulders.
Also, like the other riders, you can still feel a draft coming in through the mid level of your forearms and a little in your chest area, DESPITE all your zippers being closed tight.

In my opinion, spend the extra dollars for a more quality jacket. This was my first and definite last time ill buy alpinestars.

I wanted a cool weather jacket to supplement my warm weather gear. Jacket works well between 40 degrees F (with liner in) to 70 degrees (with liner out). Very comfortable, roomy and looks cool. Vents really don't do much, but that's not a problem in cool weather. Collar is tall and works well. Zipper is small and a little hard to find but that's about my only criticism.

I purchased this jacket and instantly loved it. The liner kept me warm in cold weather 35-40 degrees F. That is with the liner, the liner out is perfect for days when its 60s or so... I am naturally warm but this jacket keeps me this way. This will be my winter jacket this year and I hope it does well. It also has a great way to block wind and rain. If you buy this you won't be sad about your purchase.