[TCD]

hi all,
i am looking at the following alpinestars leather suits (in order of price and assumed quality: highest to lowest): s-mx, venom, sx-1, p1, tz-1, & gpu. now, i can see why the s-mx is top of the line: full armor, back protection and it has the cool knee sliders. i am trying to get the best suit for my money in terms of protection and value. all of the remaining suits seem to be about the same to me, as none of them seem to offer anything above the other. all of them carry armor, the same thickness of leather, and all of them claim to carry the same quality of stitching. why should i buy the $1080 venom when the $612 gpu seems to offer all of the same features? i would appreciate any experienced input on my upcoming purchase. thanks!

[Baketech]

I went thru this same quiz when I bought my GPU, even looked at a couple side by side. In those 3 mid range suits, the only difference I could find was graphics and hump. Never did get the question definitively answered......

[TCD]

Originally Posted by Baketech

In those 3 mid range suits, the only difference I could find was graphics and hump.

thanks for the reply bake. that's pretty much what i have surmised. how do you like your gpu? does it look like it could take a crash and still be usable? for some reason i thought you ended up with the tz-1.

[TCD]

also bake, what about fit? i think that the a* stuff seems to size on the smaller end. how did you go about fitment?

[Baketech]

Originally Posted by TCD

also bake, what about fit? i think that the a* stuff seems to size on the smaller end. how did you go about fitment?

For fitment, I used the sizing chart on the New Enough website, and also spoke with them on the phone. (There are other good places to buy, but I've had good luck with them in the past, and was trading in an old set of Vanson pants.)

Here's the blurb from their website concerning the GPU vs TZ-1.

Paul's Comments: The GPU suit is my pick from Alpinestars' line-up as being the "best suit for the money". Its construction is very similar to all their higher priced suits: it has GP armor throughout, heavy race-duty leather, and double/triple stitched seams. The knee armor is especially nice. The armor is a two piece design that is very heavy duty, yet articulates well for a good fit and easy movement. In this model suit, the black/grey suit is the only color of this model comes with perforated leather panels in the front torso for cooling. Two other features of this suit that are very nice: First, there is more room from neck to crotch in this suit which allows you to stand up without the usual uncomfortable pull in the crotch (you know what I mean if you've owned a one piece suit before). Secondly, the suit is built with a fully removable/washable liner--a great feature after hot sweaty days. In this price range, this suit is a super value.

Here is my original review, its a bit old, but my opinions have not changed. It's a sturdy well made suit that costs a bit less because it has less flash. I am more than happy with it for my current needs of a few track days per year. With the money I saved, I bought a good quality back protector.

When this pic was taken, I was 6'1" - 195. With the back protector, the fit was snug, but not restrictive in any way....
http://www.fireblades.org/photopost/...D_02s1-med.JPG

[TCD]

thanks bake, that is great information. you have helped me decide on the gpu.

now, a couple final concerns about fitment. i am 6', 175 - 185lbs (i tend to vary ). my waist is a 36 (which would put me in the 52 suit), but based on your height and weight and having the 56 suit, i'm thinking that the 54 size may be right for me. i've also got to keep in mind that my arms and legs are long and i don't want the suit to be too short.

now that i think about it, i think nh was wearing his 52 suit at grattan 1. he and i are about the same size (iirc). could you comment on this nh?

[Baketech]

From the sizing chart, that puts you right on the line. I'm guessing the 52 would be a bit short for you. The 54 is probably a good bet for compromise between height and girth.....

Somewhere there must be an Alpinestars garment dummy with my exact dimensions because everytime I shop for gear their stuff always fits me best......gloves and boots too. It sucks, because my gear makes me look like a poster child for Alpinestars, but it was all purchased at different times.

[nhfirefighter13]

Originally Posted by TCD

thanks bake, that is great information. you have helped me decide on the gpu.

now, a couple final concerns about fitment. i am 6', 175 - 185lbs (i tend to vary ). my waist is a 36 (which would put me in the 52 suit), but based on your height and weight and having the 56 suit, i'm thinking that the 54 size may be right for me. i've also got to keep in mind that my arms and legs are long and i don't want the suit to be too short.

now that i think about it, i think nh was wearing his 52 suit at grattan 1. he and i are about the same size (iirc). could you comment on this nh?

My Akito is a size 56. Just to throw a wrench in your gears, I have tried on a size 56 AStars P1 suit and it was way to small on the torso. The pants fit fine but I couldn't fit my shoulders into the damn thing to save my life. If I were buying a Astars suit I'd probably go with a 58 or 60...more likely the 60 because as you noted before...the AStars stuff does run small...Right, Alex?

[bwhip]

I'm not an expert on sizing, but I'm 6'2", 185, and recently tried on a Teknic size 46. It was pretty snug through the shoulders and not quite long enough through the torso (tight in the crotch). It was, however, plenty large in the waist (I'm a 34 w/34 inseam). With the back protector I'll be using, I'm definitely going to get a 48 (58). Not completely sure how the A-Stars compares to the Teknic, for what it's worth .

[TCD]

thanks for all of the testimonials everyone! i looked at some old grattan photos and i think that i am just a bit taller than nh, so it looks like the 58 will be my best bet. thanks again and i'll let everyone know how it works out!

[nhfirefighter13]

Originally Posted by TCD

thanks for all of the testimonials everyone! i looked at some old grattan photos and i think that i am just a bit taller than nh, so it looks like the 58 will be my best bet. thanks again and i'll let everyone know how it works out!

I'm 6' tall....about 6' 1/2" if you want to be specific and at Grattan weighed an even 200lbs.
A 58 should do the trick as you're a bit thinner than I am.

[TCD]

well, i got the suit last night and i am very pleased. the good: the suit looks like it's great quality, awsome armor in the forearms, shoulders and shins. the bad: i think that i need the shoulder and arms of the 58, the waist of the 54 and the legs of the 56. these are all non-issues with me though, as i couldn't be happier. for the price i am happy with the fit. considering the lottery that internet suit sizing seems to be, i think i got the best fitting suit that i could, as the 56 would have been too short in the torso. my shoulders almost need a shoehorn to fit into the 58 that i got.

anyway, thanks for all of the input everyone; i'm sure that i would have bought a suit that was too small if i hadn't asked.

also, i need to say that newenough.com rocks! i ordered the suit on monday and recieved it on friday. it was a very easy purchase to make and i couldn't be happier with the product.

[nhfirefighter13]

Awesome. I was able to try on a 58 AStars jacket the other day and it was too small, still. I'd definately need the 60.

[Baketech]

Man, I feel like a pencil necked geek compared to you broad shouldered thugs.....my 56 GPU fits my 6'-195lb frame WITH a back protector....