Odd question regarding leathers

[FreiWild]

Hello there, I am about to buy my first set of leathers after making do with textiles since getting my licence. I have tried a few suits and encountered the problem that I cannot close the zipper on the lower leg part of the suit due to my calfs being too large for the size I am looking at.

For reference, in terms of jacket I would have to be looking at a size 50, but in terms of trousers, even with a 52 I am unable to close the zipper sufficiently. Keep in mind these are Euro sizes, so should correspond to a UK 40 and 42 respectively, if I am not mistaken.

Does anyone of you know which brand may be more suited to this type of situation? Do leathers, especially the lower leg part stretch significantly with prolonged use? Or has anyone modified an off-the-shelf suit in this area?

Appreciate any input, as well as general recommendations for good leathers! Thanks a lot!

[Willy Nilly]

Don't throw your textiles away, there are only 2 days each year that are really suitable for wearing leathers. I hardly ever wear mine.

[JacquesMesrine]

Are you trying on Alipnestars suits? They are notoriously tight on the legs and calves. I'm struggling with my new set, whereas my old RST was perfect.

Try some different brands

[FreiWild]

Thank you for the responses! I won't be getting rid of the textiles, as they are very comfortable, however I would like the (maybe perceived) better protection offered by leathers when going out just for fun.

I have indeed been trying Alpinestars suits, which I found to be very tight on the calves, however the Dainese I tried was not much better either. Will definitely give RST a go.

[ianrb]

I've had the same problem with various brands from Italy. Solution was to get some made to measure.

[DanGPR]

I find rev'it leathers pretty accommodating, I'm a bit of a gym rat and have no problem getting the bottoms over my calves or upper legs and the jacket fits well where some were tight round the chest.

[daimatt]

My Dainese suit has calf sections made so you can wear them over your boots if you want so have a large expansion zip, could be a solution

[black-k1]

Willy Nilly said:

Don't throw your textiles away, there are only 2 days each year that are really suitable for wearing leathers. I hardly ever wear mine.

Rubbish!

I wear my BKS 2 piece leathers for all journeys between April and October. 18000 miles last year and used every working day.

[BobSaunders]

I *had* the same problem - to much gym, rugby, and cycling.

RST's were the ones that i found fitted across shoulders, back, and chest, as well as upper and lower legs. Nothing else fitted, or were comfortable.

[mckeann]

Dianese usually have 2 zips on the calf, one of which lets out the tightness to let it got over a dianese inner boot. Worth a try

[The Beaver King]

As above; I'm 'rugby player' build and find RST gear to be a perfect fit.

[Prof Prolapse]

My RST leathers have stretch panels at the calves.

They are an old version though.

[rat840771]

Opposite for my skinny legs, i'm 6ft2, 34/32 waste in jeans and bought some Alpinestars leather trousers (size 54) and they are stupidly baggy and too short and must be designed for short,Fat Italians?

JacquesMesrine said:

Are you trying on Alipnestars suits? They are notoriously tight on the legs and calves. I'm struggling with my new set, whereas my old RST was perfect.

Try some different brands

[shoestring7]

rat840771 said:

Opposite for my skinny legs, i'm 6ft2, 34/32 waste in jeans and bought some Alpinestars leather trousers (size 54) and they are stupidly baggy and too short and must be designed for short,Fat Italians?

JacquesMesrine said:

Are you trying on Alipnestars suits? They are notoriously tight on the legs and calves. I'm struggling with my new set, whereas my old RST was perfect.

Try some different brands

At 6' 2", I'm also a waste in jeans. Tweeds is where it's at.

SS7
PS For the skinny of leg these are about the slimmest fit biking jeans I know of: http://www.motolegends.com/trousers/resurgence-ski...

Edited by shoestring7 on Monday 8th February 10:56

[rodericb]

The leather can stretch, if you want to take a punt on that. Use some shoe stetching spray, get into a exaggerated riding position for a few minutes and it will start stretching.

[PulsatingStar]

Another one saying try RST. I went into a huge shop to try loads on with the same problem and tried about 7 suits (selected by a helpful salesman). Only 2 would even go over my calfs - a BKS and the RST so chose the best fitting of the two.

[Renn Sport]

As suggested try Dainese as they have double zips with expansion when wearing over Dainese boots.

Might be your fix.

[y2blade]

Willy Nilly said:

Don't throw your textiles away, there are only 2 days each year that are really suitable for wearing leathers. I hardly ever wear mine.

This^^^^

[FreiWild]

Many thanks for all the advice. Unfortunately I had found that we don't get RST over here so my best bet was Dainese. Luckily I have found a set that fits just, pricier than intended but seems to be very good quality.

First impressions are that it is a whole lot tighter and restrictive, so my textiles will definitely still get some limited use when riding to the shops or work

[JacquesMesrine]

rat840771 said:

Opposite for my skinny legs, i'm 6ft2, 34/32 waste in jeans and bought some Alpinestars leather trousers (size 54) and they are stupidly baggy and too short and must be designed for short,Fat Italians?

JacquesMesrine said:

Are you trying on Alipnestars suits? They are notoriously tight on the legs and calves. I'm struggling with my new set, whereas my old RST was perfect.

Try some different brands

I bet they're not too short. Do you expect the legal to go down to or below your ankles? If so you'll find everything too short, as they stop way short of there. Remember your boots need to go on and they cover all of that and more.