Alpinestars is a technical safety gear manufacturer for motorcycle and auto racing (MotoGP, Motocross, Formula One and NASCAR), as well as extreme sports. The company takes its name from the English translation of the Italian word "stelle alpine" which, when translated into English, literally means "Alpine stars".
They have also developed a fashion clothing division for men's and women's sportswear lifestyle apparel, based upon Alpinestars' heritage in motorsports.
Founded in 1963 by Sante Mazzarolo in Asolo, Italy, the company started out making hiking and ski boots, but quickly focused on making boots primarily for motocross racing. In the 1990s, the company branched out into manufacturing all types of protective and technical gear ranging from gloves and jackets to full leather suits for motorcycling. They also sold Alpinestars branded mountain bikes until 1996. Today they have offices in Los Angeles and Tokyo while the original headquarters and main research & development labs remain in Northern Italy.
The company is today headed by Sante's son, Gabriele Mazzarolo. Alpinestars is now a global brand, developing technical racing products for MotoGP and World Superbike with leather suits, boots, gloves and protection worn by MotoGP World Champions Nicky Hayden and Casey Stoner. In auto racing, flame and heat retardant Nomex suits, footwear, gloves and underwear have been developed in Formula One and NASCAR with recent Champions Fernando Alonso and Jimmie Johnson.
Alpinestars has established a fashion division with design centers in California and Italy.
The current Stig on Top Gear wears a white Alpinestars race suit