The Solano jacket delivers urban style and functionality in a classic silhouette that doesn’t draw attention as a motorcycle jacket, but does stand out as a nice everyday go anywhere/do anything utility piece. This waterproof city jacket sports discreet armor, a zip-in thermal liner when you need it, and zippered vents for when you don’t. The Solano is named after a hot Mediterranean that’s wind known for bringing rain-laden storm clouds to the eastern coast of Spain. Despite the exotic provenance, this jacket pleasantly surprises with toned-down branding and a classic silhouette. The lack of heavy branding is an especially notable feat coming from Alpinestars, which generally broadcasts the A-Star logo loudly and proudly. Not here, though, and the absence of in-your-face branding lets the jacket’s tech specs shine through. The Solano sports no fewer than five external pockets, including a waterproof arm key card pocket. And inside it has two big elasticated inner pockets for safe and secure storage. It’s highly water resistant too, with waterproof zippers and a coated polyimide shell that’s been beefed up with 600-denier panels at the shoulders and elbows. Subtle reflective details round out the external tech specs. Turning to the inside - this is one of the first jackets to feature the new Alpinestars Flex-Plus armor, which is thin, FLEXible, and passes CE Level 1 testing while inspiring more confidence than some other new-wave waver-thin Level 1 armors out there. The Solano is designed as a 3-season urban jacket. Or even a 4-season piece for Californians. And thanks to its zip-in/out thermal liner and low-key looks, it can easily double as a capable wintertime civilian jacket in those climates that do get snow. Speaking of California – this is definitely more of a Italian metropolis or a New York City urban piece than a Los Angeles jacket. In the boroughs of NYC there’s a nominal 25mph speed limit; in L.A. one might find themselves on the 405 freeway just to get to lunch, and the CE “A” class this jacket is rated at far more suited to sub 40mph excursions than mach schnell on the highway. In the summer months, ditch the thermal liner and open up a couple small, much-better-than-nothing side vents to help keep a little air flowing through the jacket. The jacket is built to take the Alpinestars Nucleon KR-CELLi Level 1 or Nucleon KR-2i Level 2, but we’ve found it accommodates the Large D3O CE Level 1 Viper back protector quite well. And we’ll never argue you should go down in your armor spec, but Level 1 is a whole lot better than level 0, and the low-pro D3O fits with the outline of the rest of the Solano jacket. Breathable water resistant coated polyamide shell Reinforced 600 Denier polyfabric panels on shoulders and • Waist cinch removable thermal liner Waterproof zip on front and snap closure wrists Five external pockets; two elasticated inner Low Profile Flex-Plus shoulder + elbow armor included Back protector not included.
