Tidily packing your gear bag is more of an art form than anything; it takes one part skill and one part luck. And if you’ve ever tried compacting your riding gear into a poorly laid-out or feebly constructed bag, you know just how frustrating packing can get. The Alpinestars XL Transition Gear Bag is neither of those things, fortunately, and proves quite advantageous when traveling heavily.
What sets the XL Transition Gear Bag apart from the average bag is its size. It’s big. And when we say this thing is big, we mean more like gigantic! Its 88-liter capacity and 38 x 18 x 18-inch dimensions mean it’s capable of swallowing up most any amount of gear you can throw its way. And constructed from ballistic nylon and 600D polyester contrast — both common materials used for luggage — the bag is as tough as they come.
Additional protection comes in the form of a hard internal base, external slide rails and hard bumpers at each of the base corners, which safeguard the bag against the ill-tempered airline attendant who confuses it for a football. For ease of transportation, the XL Transition Gear Bag is equipped with a telescoping double-post handle, wheels, multiple grab handles and a top carrying strap.
It’s the surplus of room inside the bag that impresses us however. And it’s not just the main compartments that are so generously sized, but also the deep external pockets, which house everything from gloves to bathroom essentials. There are a total of five pockets too: one large example on the left side, three on the right side and another well-hidden compartment at the base of the bag on the left-hand side (we didn’t even find this pocket until after our first trip with the bag).
Each of the XL Transition’s three compartments is separated by padded sidewalls, which gave us some comfort when packing our helmet away for the long haul. The compartment walls are removable as well, allowing you to turn the bag into one massive storage compartment if so desired. The main compartment is big enough as is though, and swallowed up our one-piece suit and back protector with ease, with plenty of room to spare. Our boots and helmet were likewise swallowed up by the bag’s larger side compartment, while under armor and clothes got stuffed into the opposing compartment.
When packed away, our soiled under armor and gear didn’t tarnish the XL Transition Gear Bag either thanks to the compartments’ ventilation system, which allows the used, sweaty gear to breathe. Additional features (mostly intended for motocross riders) that you may use include a removable change mat, boot mud bag and helmet bag with fleece lining.
Toting the bag through the airport, we found the XL Transition Gear Bag to maneuver with ease. Weight is dispersed well, the wheels roll smoothly and the telescoping double-post handle makes it easy to tote the bag around. At 12.6 pounds, empty, the bag isn’t ridiculously heavy either. Pack accordingly then and you won’t need to worry much about going over the 50-pound weight limit most airlines place on checked luggage — and the accompanying fees.
At the end of the day, bigger is better and we’d rather have too much room than not enough. The XL Transition Gear Bag is available in any color you like, so long as it’s black, and retail is set at $219.95. No, it’s not the cheapest option out there, nor is it the easiest to store, but with this Alpinestars bag, you get what you pay for!
Details
Alpinestars XL Transition Gear Bag
Retail: $219.95
Alpinestars
www.alpinestars.com