The Alpinestars Stella GP Plus V4 is a short, sporty leather jacket designed specifically for women, and it feels that way from the moment you put it on. It is clearly aimed at sportier riding, but it is versatile enough to work across most road bikes provided you are not venturing into off-road or adventure use.
With two main torso vents and a removable thermal liner, it tries to cover more than one season rather than being a pure summer or winter specialist. After 8000 miles on a Honda CBR650R, Suzuki GSX-8S and Triumph Daytona Moto2 through spring, summer, autumn and winter, I find it to be a well-judged leather jacket that balances comfort, protection and style very effectively.
Fit & comfort
Fit is one of the Stella GP Plus V4’s biggest strengths. It has been designed for women and, in my experience, that shows. It feels flattering and comfortable in a way that is rare for women’s leather jackets, and the stretch material under the arms and along the sides of the torso makes a noticeable difference.
Sizing feels consistent with the rest of the Alpinestars range, although it does come up a little smaller than some other brands. Once you know your Alpinestars size, though, there is a reassuring consistency to it that makes buying easier than with some brands where sizing can vary from one model to the next.
For a leather jacket, comfort is very good on and off the bike. I would not expect any leather jacket to feel like a hoodie, but this is one of the more comfortable ones I have worn.
I have used leather jackets in the past where hard external elbow armour felt fine in a riding position but became uncomfortable after longer periods, particularly once off the bike. That is not really the case here. I can happily keep this jacket on while walking around, and although I still tend to take it off for things like sitting down to eat, it is much easier to live with than many other leather jackets.
There are a couple of small caveats. In particularly cold weather, the elbow armour can feel so firm that it creates pressure to the point of discomfort until it warms up.
Also, the bottom of the jacket sits right on top of my jeans, so if it is not zipped to compatible trousers I find the two can bunch up slightly. Paired with the right riding trousers, though, that would be much less of an issue.
Cold weather performance
For a sporty leather jacket, the Stella GP Plus V4 does a decent job in cooler conditions. The removable thermal liner extends usefulness through spring, autumn and even into winter, making it more versatile than a lot of leather jackets that are only comfortable in warmer weather.
That said, it is still a leather sports jacket rather than a true winter garment. It works acceptably across multiple seasons, but in colder temperatures the main limitation is not warmth from the jacket itself so much as the way the armour feels when it is cold.
Photography: Jose Mas
As mentioned, the elbow armour can feel very solid and create some pressure until it warms up. Once it does, though, I stop noticing it.
Overall, this is a jacket that can be used in cooler weather, particularly with the thermal liner fitted, but it is more accurate to call it a strong three-season jacket that can stretch into winter rather than a true cold-weather specialist.
Hot weather performance
The Stella GP Plus V4 copes reasonably well in warmer weather, but this is also where its limits are most obvious. There are two direct ventilation openings on the torso, running parallel to the usual jacket pocket position, and the thermal liner can be removed to improve airflow further.
The stretch panels down the sides and under the arms also seem to help with airflow, even if that is not as direct or obvious as a vent. There is some perforation on the upper arm reinforcement and across the shoulder blade area too, though I did not find that especially noticeable in use.
In practice, the two main vents help, but they are not quite enough to overcome the inherent warmth and thickness of leather in peak summer. Above 20°C, and especially in the height of the heat, I would personally reach for something with more ventilation. I would like to see extra ventilation along the arms and shoulders, and ideally an exhaust vent as well, to help hot air escape more effectively.
So while it can be worn through warmer weather, it is not a jacket that excels in the hottest conditions.
Protection
Protection is where the Stella GP Plus V4 makes a very strong case for itself. The jacket carries an AA rating in CE safety testing and comes with CE Level 1 shoulder and elbow armour, while the back protector has to be bought separately.
I added the CE Level 2 Alpinestars Nucleon Plasma back protector and was immediately impressed. I had expected a Level 2 back protector to add noticeable bulk, but in reality I can barely feel it. It gives excellent spinal coverage, extending right down to the base of the jacket and even covering the coccyx area, yet it does not make the jacket feel cumbersome.
The elbow armour is particularly impressive. It starts above the elbow and extends all the way down towards the wrist, covering the whole forearm. Even though it is only rated to CE Level 1, it feels far more substantial than that figure suggests.
Photography: Jose Mas
The shoulder armour is more conventional in shape, but still offers good coverage and remains comfortable, even with the external shoulder sliders that can sometimes be intrusive on other jackets.
The jacket also has provision for chest protection, although I have not fitted any yet. Even without it, this is one of the most confidence-inspiring jackets I have worn, and with the addition of the full-length back protector it feels even more convincing.
Pockets & practicality
Storage is fairly good for a sporty leather jacket. There are two zipped outer pockets, a standard Velcro-closure internal pocket on the lower right-hand side, and a zipped waterproof internal pocket on the left. That waterproof pocket is a welcome touch given that the jacket itself is not waterproof.
If you are desperate, the chest armour pockets could be used as makeshift storage when chest protection is not fitted, though I would expect that to be too uncomfortable for regular use.
In practical terms, the Stella GP Plus V4 strikes a sensible balance. It does not have touring-jacket levels of storage, but it offers enough for everyday riding without spoiling the clean, sporty look.
Durability
Durability has been impressive so far. I ride every day and have been wearing this jacket regularly for months, particularly since an accident last year left me wanting the extra confidence that leather brings.
Despite heavy use, there is very little sign of wear beyond the natural softening and settling of the leather. There is no damage, no tearing and nothing that suggests the jacket is struggling with regular use. Given how hard I tend to be on riding kit, that is reassuring. So far, it feels like a jacket that is standing up very well to the demands of everyday riding.
Final thoughts
The Alpinestars Stella GP Plus V4 is a very good women’s leather jacket that gets a lot right. It looks good, fits well, feels flattering and offers a level of comfort that is genuinely impressive for this type of garment.
Its protection is a strength, especially once fitted with the full-length Level 2 back protector, and that gives it an edge over some other women’s leather jackets that may look the part but do not feel quite as confidence-inspiring.
Ventilation could be improved, and in peak summer it is a little too warm to be the ideal choice, but that is also the compromise that comes with the protection offered by leather.
The pricing feels fair for what is on offer, particularly when compared with other jackets at a similar protection level. For women who want a sporty leather jacket that does not sacrifice fit or comfort in the pursuit of style, the Stella GP Plus V4 is easy to recommend.
