Clothing sizing
Author
Discussion

Dr Jekyll

Original Poster:

23,820 posts

292 months

Saturday 11th May 2019
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Shopping for some new waterproof trousers this morning.

I'm the first to admit I carry a few extra pounds, normal trousers come from M & S and 40" waist fits me, but I know bike clothing sizing tends to be a bit optimistic so I started with XL size. Whatever I tried didn't come close to fitting, I don't mean felt a bit tight I mean I couldn't get them up to my waist. Except for one pair labelled 3XL that would just reach my waist but with no chance of doing them up. Mere XXL came nowhere near.

These were all around the £100 mark, is the more expensive stuff more reasonably sized? Are there particular brands I should look for? I should I resign myself to only riding on the 2 days a year when I can be sure it's and not going to rain?

ritch

749 posts

218 months

Dibble

13,291 posts

271 months

Saturday 11th May 2019
quotequote all
I was quite a few KG heavier than I am now, post accident (I really wouldn’t recommend i5 as a diet/weight loss plan, though). I bought Klim textiles, which were either XXL or XXXL and I as more than a 40” waist at the time... Klim is a US brand, so the sizing does seem to be a little more... “realistic” than some European manufacturers.

That said, I did previously have Hein Gericke textiles which were plenty roomy enough and I’ve also tried Rukka stuff which seems to be “snug” by comparison. The Halvarssons/Lindstrands gear seems to be a bit more “realistic” in their sizing, but a lot will depend on the styling/cut.

Basically, it seems that one man’s (or manufacturer’s) XXL is another’s XL or L and vice versa. It’s just a case of trying on as many types/styles/suppliers as you can. I personally preferred the Klim stuff to Rukka, as it fits me better and doesn’t have a (to me restrictive (but obviously removable)) liner. There was definitely a difference between the Klim XXL and the Rukka XXL, with the Rukka stuff being tighter.

It seems there isn’t a consistent “standard” for what size in inches/centimetres/fit S/M/L/XL/XXL etc is across brands - but that’s the same for clothes generally, I guess.

Dr Jekyll

Original Poster:

23,820 posts

292 months

Saturday 11th May 2019
quotequote all
Thanks everyone. I think I'm sorted with some 4XL Alpinestars.