Alpinestars

Alpinestars is an Italian maker of protective gear and clothing for motorcycling and other racing sports. The leather craftsman Sante Mazzarolo founded it in 1963 in Asolo in northern Italy, and the company now has its Italian headquarters in nearby Maser. His son Gabriele Mazzarolo set up Alpinestars USA in Los Angeles in 1986 and owns and directs the Italian part of the company as well. Alpinestars employs about 700 people worldwide and has offices in Los Angeles, Tokyo and Bangkok.

Features

The range covers racing apparel, jackets, gloves, technical footwear and helmets for road, track and off-road riding. In 2001 the company began developing Tech-Air, its airbag system for motorcyclists. Alpinestars equips many racing riders, among them Fabio Quartararo, Nicky Hayden and Kenny Roberts, and the brand is also known in motocross and mountain biking.

Ownership

According to its own history, the Italian company and Alpinestars USA are owned and directed by Gabriele Mazzarolo, so it is a family business without a non-European parent.