Much of the INCEPTION capsule is built using materials and fabrics pulled straight from Alpinestars parts bins. Fireproof fabrics, deadstock race suit leather, and impact-rated protection pieces have all been integrated into INCEPTION pieces. However, nothing in the collection bears as much tangible and conspicuous race lineage as the SHIELD HAT.

Adorning each hat is a protective piece extracted directly from a crashed suit, worn by a MotoGP athlete. The crown jewel of each SHIELD HAT is a race-worn shoulder cup that took a high-speed slide during a past MotoGP race. Each shoulder piece bears a unique and one-of-a-kind patina of road rash, curb scrub, and/or some other evidence of an unplanned interaction with a world-class runoff area.

The SHIELD HAT is literally a product of Alpinestars’ commitment to safety and performance and a reflection of an extensive race support program. Alpinestars race services personnel and other technicians are present at every MotoGP event around the world to support and assist Alpinestars team athletes. If and when one of those athletes takes an inevitable slide, their suit is inspected and assessed by the race services team. Each crashed suit is then sent back to Alpinestars R&D facility in Asolo Italy where it is either repaired or retired, depending on the extent of the damage.

While these pieces have been rendered unusable in a protective context, the RSRV team found them to be beautifully symbolic. Each one of these pieces tells a story of speed, danger, and resilience, but also of a profound commitment to safety and performance.

These beautiful badges of bravery have been carefully extracted from their original suits and integrated into the crown of a low-profile 5-panel hat. The end result is a casual cap that reflects the racing legacy of Alpinestars and incorporates a piece of race history that may have been donned by a world champion.