Alpinestars Bionic Pro V3 Plasma Protection Jacket

Alpinestars Bionic Pro V3 Plasma Protection Jacket – body armour for MTB enduro, downhill and motocross

A protection jacket for MTB enduro and downhill that covers the spine, shoulders and elbows to CE Level 2 and the chest with a removable Level 1 protector. The Alpinestars Bionic Pro V3 Plasma Protection Jacket is built around Nucleon Plasma: a viscoelastic compound that stiffens to protect on impact, yet stays flexible and lets air through while you ride. The Cell Technology back protector has a removable puck for the Alpinestars BNS neck brace. The protectors sit on a slim-fit stretch mesh chassis, and a height-adjustable waist belt keeps the jacket in place. It is aimed at bike parks, enduro races and downhill, and Alpinestars built it for motocross and off-road riding too.

Nucleon Plasma – a material that stiffens on impact

Alpinestars engineers developed Nucleon Plasma for cycling protectors, starting from a viscoelastic compound similar to the well-known d3o. During normal movement it is soft and pliable. A sharp impact firms it up instantly at the point of contact, the material absorbs the energy and then returns to its original shape. According to Alpinestars testing, its protective performance exceeds the requirements of the European standards by tens of percent.

The material is multi-layered, and Alpinestars used 3D modelling to shape it into an M-profile. That means less material is needed, the protector flexes in every direction and adapts to the shape of the body. Protection is spread evenly across the whole protector, with no weaker zones at the edges. The inner layer is a smooth, hard-wearing microfibre: it feels comfortable on the skin, cuts friction and stops the impact material from tearing. At least 25% of the compound is bio-based.

How the M-profile ventilates

The perforations in the M-profile move air in two directions: out from the body through the protector, and sideways along its surface. According to Alpinestars testing, it ventilates up to 50% better than comparable protectors. On a long enduro climb that means less sweat under the shoulder and elbow guards.

What the CE levels mean for each zone

The EN 1621 standards set how much impact force a protector may pass on to the body – the lower, the better. Shoulders and elbows (EN 1621-1) are Level 2: an average of no more than 20 kN, where Level 1 allows 35 kN. The spine (EN 1621-2) is also Level 2, with a 9 kN limit – half of what Level 1 permits. The chest protector meets EN 1621-3 at Level 1, which is full certification for the chest. The biceps and chest padding is not certified – it guards against roost, not against a crash.

Removable chest protector and the BNS neck brace

The chest protector is loosely attached to the jacket chassis, so it pivots with your chest when you lean forward or take a deep breath, instead of pressing into it. It comes out completely, for example before washing. Without it, the chest is covered only by the uncertified padding. The back protector has a removable puck – take it out and the rear support of an Alpinestars BNS neck brace sits directly on the back without pushing the helmet forward.

Slim fit and choosing the size

The stretch mesh chassis has a slim fit and is worn under the jersey, so the protectors stay on the joints and don't shift in a crash. The jacket comes in sizes S to XXL. Chest circumference according to the Alpinestars size chart in the gallery decides: the jacket should fit snug without pinching under the arms or restricting your breathing. A detailed manual in Czech is included.

Full technical parameters are available in the Specification tab.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Can I ride the Bionic Pro V3 Plasma without the chest protector?

Yes, the chest protector is removable and the jacket works without it. The spine, shoulders and elbows stay protected to CE Level 2. The chest is then covered only by the roost padding, which is not EN 1621-3 certified. For bike park and downhill riding, we recommend keeping the chest protector in.

Is the jacket compatible with the Alpinestars BNS neck brace?

Yes. The back protector has a removable puck; once it is out, the rear support of the BNS brace sits directly on the back. The brace then rests on the back protector and does not push the helmet forward.

Is a motocross protection jacket suitable for MTB?

Yes. The EN 1621 standards it is certified to were written for motorcycle protection and apply just the same on a bicycle. On a mountain bike you will appreciate the ventilated Nucleon Plasma protectors and the stretch mesh that leaves your arms free on the bars. It suits bike park, enduro and downhill riding best.

What is in the box?

The protection jacket with the removable chest protector and a detailed manual in Czech.

Which size should I choose if I am between two?

The jacket has a slim fit and should sit snug, because loose body armour shifts in a crash and the protector ends up off the joint. Chest circumference according to the Alpinestars size chart in the gallery decides. The safest option is to try the jacket on in our store.