In the past year being a part of the MXstore I have been fortunate enough to wear and test out a wide range of gear. Not directly associated to any particular brand allows me to test a variety of gear. IN the states Alpinestars gear isn’t available to the public but the helmet and boots are but I have yet to use either in ages. I have been a fan of the look of the Alpinestars helmet since it’s launched so let’s give you my feed back from my first ride in the premium helmet.

After unboxing the A-star S-M10 helmet right away I noticed how lite it was. Weighing in at only 1240 grams for ECE and 1340 grams for DOT size medium. My first impression when putting the helmet on was it was really comfortable, but I did notice that it was a little big in the cheek pad area compared to other medium’s I have worn. My first day in the helmet was the 125 triple crown and heading down the start straight I noticed how great the helmet vented. The vent above the visor is big and almost like a scoop. If you read the race report on the triple crown you know I ate a lot of dirt coming from the back. The vent did have some mud packed in it, but it still allowed venting to work well. Another really great feature on this helmet is how well my goggles fit in the helmet. I’m not a roll of guy but in Australia most tracks you must use roll offs. Other helmets I have used I feel like the goggles are heavy of the front of the helmet and I feel like I’m looking up the entire time with the roll offs feeling heavy and uncomfortable. The Alpinestars helmet allowed the roll offs to feel like a regular goggle and that’s a big positive for me.

Overall, the Alpinestars S-M10 helmet is the latest and greatest in technology when it comes to safety with the collarbone relief sections, Visor relief system, ERS “Emergency releases section” cheek pad release, and Mips, but and a cool feature is the hydration track built into the helmet for off-road and rally riders. Features benefits like that set the helmet apart from it’s competition. When it comes to how the safety system works let’s be honest, I have not tested how well the helmet works when hitting the ground. I will trust the technology from Alpinestars that they continue to develop industry leading products. After a few rides I highly rate the helmet and the only change I made was to small cheek pads instead of medium cheek pads as they seem a little big for my face.

Purchase your Alpinestars S-M10 Helmet HERE

Other Key features

The S-M10 shell has been profiled with performance as a priority and with a design style that identifies the profile of the helmet and its sculpted surface as uniquely ‘Alpinestars’. Another key feature is the S-M10 shell sizing solution; each helmet fit size has its own appropriate shell size to deliver the most anatomical solution for the wide variety of fit needs worldwide.

Safety: Supertech M10 Construction.

Shell construction utilizes a highly advanced molding technology with a multi-composite combination:
3K Carbon, high-density carbon outer layer that improves strength and efficiency of energy dissipation over the shell.- Uni-directional carbon composite layer that gives significantly greater radial strength around the shell, preventing compression but allowing controlled deflection for reducing transmitted impact energy.- Aramid fiber layer which provides critical penetration protection.
This combination of layers is given even greater performance with an epoxy resin bonding that offers the best possible strength and energy management; limited outer shell deflection means the energy spreads wider and is better absorbed by the EPS liner.
The result of the unique shell lay-up process employed in the S-M10 construction results in extremely effective impact protection. With a fully equipped helmet testing facility, within Alpinestars Racing Development Center, an exhaustive impact research program has resulted in the Supertech M10 returning linear and oblique impact performance which far improves upon current helmet regulation standard limits. For direct, linear, impact by an average magnitude of 41% and for rotational acceleration, oblique, impact performance by an average of 48%.

S-M10 in four anatomical shell sizes.

The Supertech M10 shell construction is optimized to offer the best fit across the range of four size options. Shell sizes are manufactured in small, medium, large and extra-large to ensure that riders have the correct fit which not only improves comfort but, most importantly, the effectiveness of the helmet in an impact.

The Supertech M10 liner construction combines with the shell to offer highly efficient impact energy management.

Formed with a multi-density EPS polymer, the energy absorbing layer gives an inner helmet profile which soaks up impact forces dissipated over the outer shell at the point of an impact and provides a shape offering a close and comfortable fit.
The energy absorption performance of the S-M10 is substantially improved by a four-section construction that allows for specific densities of polymer to be prepared for different zones around the helmet lining. Not only is energy performance improved but also fit and comfort.

Patented A-Head fitting height and angle adjustment system.

The Supertech M10 incorporates a patented system to allow the helmet to be tuned exactly to the riders preference for the height and angle at which the helmet sits on the head. This unique technology allows for an ultra-specific set-up that can be adapted for the type of riding and the rider’s preference.
With a micro-adjustable pad that is connected to the helmet inner shell, it is possible to raise or lower the helmet fit and also, to tilt the helmet forward, or backward.

Unique, patented, visor release system is another key attribute incorporated into the design of the Supertech M10.

Visor release is a key part of overall protection performance in the helmet and a major influence on the distinctive, flush, design of the outer shell profile.
Alpinestars has developed a unique visor release system which, while ensuring the mounting is held securely in place for riding over the most extreme terrain and any track conditions, provides exactly the right level of resistance to ensure the visor detaches from the helmet shell if it is subjected to a significant impact – no matter what the angle.
The S-M10 visor release mechanism is conceived to avoid the inherent weaknesses in other types of anchoring systems. Maintaining shell integrity is vital for safety and with the possibility of multi-directional forces impacting on the visor, separation at the critical point of loading reduces potentially damaging leverage and rotational accelerations that refer injury to the rider’s neck and spine.

Collarbone protection is an important design feature of the Supertech M10 helmet shell base profile.

The base of the S-M10 has been sculpted to give a relief section, where the bottom profile is raised to clear the collarbone (Clavicle). Also, incorporated into the area of the base pad, where it sits over the rider’s collarbone, is an energy absorption pad; a more flexible compound rubber section which allows deflection when it contacts the Clavicle.
The Supertech M10 chin-bar is formed with polypropylene which, by allowing for a degree of lateral deflection, further improves impact protection for the collarbones.
Post-crash protection mechanisms are also a key feature of the Supertech M10 design, allowing rapid and safe intervention if the rider has suffered a major impact.

Multi-Directional Impact Protection System: MIPS.

MIPS is incorporated into the Supertech M10 to reduce rotational motion energies that impact the helmet causing damaging gyration force to be transmitted to the brain.
A low friction ‘slip’ layer is incorporated into the Supertech M10 helmet, between the comfort padding layer and the multi-density polymer energy absorption shell. When energy is impacted upon the helmet, causing a rotation force, the MIPS layer allows for movement of the inner absorption layer to damp and re-direct the energy before causing significant acceleration stress to the brain. This mitigates the causes of brain injuries, such as concussions.

Emergency Release System (ERS).

The side cheek padding of the S-M10 can be extracted efficiently and safely, while the helmet is still on the rider’s head, to allow ease of removal by trackside support and medical staff.

The Supertech M10 is also designed to allow a helmet ‘Eject’ inflation system to be fitted into the inside crown of the shell.

Along with the ERS padding removal, ‘Eject’ allows for emergency removal of the helmet, without putting load on the rider’s spine.
Chin-strap: Wider than certification requirement: 26 mm for comfort and produced with a woven poly yarn to give a soft ‘hand’ feel that connects securely with a double D-ring.

Weight: Reduced by design while allowing the Supertech M10 protection to be class-leading.

Weight is both a factor in riding performance and safety in a helmet and to ensure the S-M10 offers the ultimate in weight saving performance enhancement, the material selection, preparation and construction of the helmet has been rigorously analyzed for weight to strength and energy absorption properties and a strict analysis of all the components used in the Supertech M10 finishing.
Weight of S-M10 is 1240g for size Medium (ECE) - 1340g for size Medium (DOT)

Ventilation is a key feature of the Supertech M10.

Heat mapping tests have resulted in specifically designed ducting which produces a positive flow into the helmet over and around the rider’s head, improving comfort while riding and reducing the on-set of heat stress in extreme conditions.
The visor design of the S-M10 is also an integral part of the ventilation system as it is profiled to direct airflow, acting as a channel to concentrate and smooth the flow into the shell. The Supertech M10 liner design is formed to optimize airflow channeling around the rider’s head before being extracted from the S-M10 through rear exhaust vents to ensure positive pressure is maintained with constant airflow while riding.

Hydration system compatibility.

The Supertech M10 helmet lining design includes canals which allow a tube to be incorporated on either side of the shell. This is a feature extensively tested by Alpinestars rally raid and enduro riders enabling convenient fitting and connection to a hydration system.

Interior lining comfort.

Removable liner cover is washable and features a cool-max fabric interior and anti-bacterial talent yarn for long-lasting freshness and quick-dry performance between riding sessions.
Helmet features TPE coating washable surfaces to improve maintenance and increase durability.
Additional cheek pad set offering increased thickness of +5mm, for tighter fit adjustment – available separately.

Accessories included with the Supertech M10.

Spare Visor.
Racing Helmet Bag.

The Supertech M10 Certifications.

The Supertech M10 helmet versions conform to both DOT certification and ECE homologation for use worldwide.
The DOT 218 standard prescribes specific impact penetration protection over the crown of the helmet area and hence, for the US and Canada markets, the Supertech M10 will feature technology that substantially exceeds the minimum safety requirements.

Alpinestar S-M10 Helmet