Alpinestars Sequence Elbow Guards

Company: Alpinestars

Price: $59.95

Roost

Provides adequate protection to an exposed and overlooked area.
Slippage along the arm isn't always felt/noticed.
Comfortable fit with multiple adjustment points.

Endo

Bulky and look a bit goofy under the jersey.
Guards slide down the arm while riding, though it wasn't hindering.

What it is

Alpinestars' burly elbow guards.

Alpinestars has been upping their game in the protection department lately. Most known for their premium boots, they also have a complete line of protection pieces including helmets, knee braces/pads, chest protectors, and more. We recently reached out to get a set of elbow pads for some added protection and they sent us their Sequence Elbows Protectors.

The Sequence Elbow Guards are CE certified meaning they meet some strict protection requirements, and they look the part as well. The guards feature a grid design that is claimed to maximize breathability and comfort while retaining a lightweight. To secure the guards in place, it boasts a dual strap closure system and soft material that encapsulate the upper and lower arms. It also features padding for added comfort. The guards are available in several sizes and retail for $59.95

How it works

Provide plenty of protection.
Good breathability.
Guards do fall down, but affects are minimal.

As I get older, and wiser, I’ve learned that dressing for the crash isn’t such a bad idea. Having always worn a chest pro, knee braces were my first step up (thanks to DBT), and then I started wearing a wrist brace a few months back. Well, after years of tearing up my elbows and the healing process taking longer and longer every time I did so, I felt it was time to start protecting those as well. I got my hands on these Alpinestars Sequence elbow guards looking to keep my skin from tearing more than anything, but they do add quite a bit of protection as well.

We’ve hit the ground a few times with these on, and while nothing was Earth shattering, it was enough to get a good feel for how well they protect and they live up to the standard. Our elbows looked and felt as good as new, and the guards even look the part without much damage to them. Having a cushion softened the blow and kept our skin looking healthy.

Making a pair of elbow pads that stay in position will be the next best invention since sliced bread… but these A-Stars do a relatively good job. It has two separate straps that go around the upper and lower arms and they keep a firm, yet still comfortable grip to help maintain its location. While they don’t completely stay in their place, they move a minimal amount over the duration of a ride. Also, even after falling down, we rarely even noticed it or were bothered by it. Also, when you go down, more often than not, you fall at an angle that will slide the pads up as they come in contact with the ground.

One drawback to these guards is how bulky they are. Yes, they add protection and it’s what they are designed to do, but they stick out quite a bit and make our forearms look like Popeye’s. A-Stars does make other guards that appear to be far less bulky and more of a buffer between the arm and dirt rather than really protecting it.

Overall, we can’t complain much about Alpinestars’ Sequence Elbow Protectors. They offer quite a bit of protection in a smaller package while maintaining much needed comfort in an area like this. The adjustable straps are nice to accommodate different sized arms and tightness preferences. They may look funky, but they work and that’s what we’re looking for at this point in time.