mikew968

Can anyone compare a Sparco x-light 300 vs a alpinestars GP Tech vs a GP Pro. The cost is $999 for the sparco, a little more for the tech and little less for the pro. It looks like the x-light and the tech are both 300 g material with the pro being a little heavier.

Thanks, Mike

FredC

I have a gp tech and it was a mistake to get it. It is well cut, looks good, but it is simply too heavy compared to other high end suits out there. My next one will be a stand21. I tried one on last year and simply could not believe how light it felt for a 3 layer suit. Sorry, I can't write in details about the sparco, although I hear it feels quite light.

Circuit Motorsports

The Sparco and the Alpinestars are pretty much the same in weight. It's probably been almost 2 years since I had them side by side but I remember them being pretty darn close and depressing how much lighter they were than the 500 dollar suits. (Bringing the Stand21 in isn't fair Fred that suit is really awesome).

Between the GP Tech and GP Pro I would actually go with the newer GP Pro if I wanted max fire protection. While it is slightly heavier than the other two it has a layer of CarbonX which is way better than Nomex if you are in a fire situation.

Alpinestars and Sparco suits fit differently as well. The Alpinestars are what many consider a Euro cut which is a bit slimmer while the Sparco is a constructed for those that aren't your traditional skinny formula car driver.

The newest Alipinestars suit is the SuperTech. I haven't had a chance to see one but I hear they are as light as the lightest Sparco suits.

Another suit I would add to the group you are looking at is the OMP Tecnica Light. A guy I work with in Koni Challenge had one this year and the suit is as light as the Sparco suit and IMO slightly better built.


All that being said the Sparco XLight suits that are on clearance at a few places are a good deal.


EDIT: I thought you were originally talking about the Xlight 270. Changed some things to accomodate the 300 instead.

FredC

ok ok, i know it isn't fair. But man that suit is just awesome.

DrJupeman

Is there a particular model Stand21 that is so highly revered?

mglobe

While it's being discussed, what about any of the Simpson suits?

Circuit Motorsports

http://www.stand21.fr/combinaisons/c...%203000-2.html

The ST3000

Although the Air Force is a really nice concept with the way you can force air through the suit.

BostonDMD

Fred and Circuit, which Stand21 suit and where do you shop for one? TX

Edit, thanks for the info. Circuit

BobbyC

The ST 3000 "Porsche Collection"...2 layer. Nothing else comes close especially in 90 plus degree weather. And their nomex undervests are 100% itch-free.

And when ordering your suit may as well get some customized BLING racing shoes too...

Craig T.

I have a Stand 21 ST 3000. It is by far the best suit I've owned.

I had a Sparco X-light. The zipper broke on the Sparco at an event at Willow Springs. It was a 95 degree day. Stand 21 had a trailer set up at the track. I barrowed a ST 3000 for the weekend. The next day I drove to the shop and bought one, custom tailored, custom colors, my name, Porsche logo, POC pogo, etc. I love it.

I only have one complaint...The represented "10 business days, plus two day shipping from France", actually took almost three months! I didn't give them the loaner back until my suit arrived so it wasn't that big a deal.

Circuit Motorsports

Stand21 has in the last couple of years switched back to only factory/distributor sales. There is one in Atlanta for the east coast. There may be one for the west coast, I'm not sure though.

There are other options for custom tailored suits as well. I'm hoping ot have one setup by early next year that will incorporate CarbonX layers.

lawjdc

There is a Stand 21 in southern California now. I demoed a ST 3000 at the POC Laguna Seca weekend in August. There is no comparison - it was way, way better than my Sparco extra light.

Toby Pennycuff

+100000

I have both the Stand21 ST3000 Porsche Design suit (white with the Porsche Swirl) and a Sparco X-Light 300. No comparison. Stand21 suits are NOT cheap, but you will realize the difference the moment you put the suit on. Nice thing about Stand21 is that if you do a custom order, they retain your measurements for future use. Need a new suit? They pull out your info and sew away.

I visited the factory in Dijon and met Msr. Morizot (founder and President) and his son. What a great family. Mr. Morizot gave me and my wife a complete factory tour. He has suits from Senna, Prost and Schumacher hanging in his office. Unbelievable place. AND it's about 15 minutes away from Circuit Prenois - a wonderful old F1 track still in use.

No affiliation, just a very satisfied customer.

Toby

mikew968

I guess if you have to ask the price well...


Mike

mglobe

So for the rest of us who are not willing yet to fork over the cash for a $tand 21 suit, any comments about the lesser race suits ($500 to $1000) range. I'm particularly interested in the Simpson brand, as they have a factory store not too far away. Any comments?