Buying jerseys online

portland_bill

Is it just me or is it an absolute nightmare trying to buy jerseys let alone online?

I own three jerseys. Two are from the same manufacturer. All three are size Large.

I called into an unfamiliar bike shop the other day and tried on one of their jerseys (size Large), and my wife had to pull it back off my arms because I couldn't get it over my shoulders and back off it was so small. When I asked the member of staff, he first questioned whether the sizes were right on my existing jerseys and then said it could be an "Italian cut" which I guess is obvious since there's no such thing as a fat Italian.

Anyway, I've had a look online and again some of the "Large" clothing and stated measurements just don't seem to come anywhere near my measurements, but then I wonder if some other manufacturers would do the same Large as the ones I already have which are granted, snug but not too tight.

Would it be that difficult for everyone to stick to one kind of Large? I mean fair enough, the majority of serious cyclists are built like Whippets and I'm an ex-Rugby player so I'm not slim but I'm not massive either, but if I had to have a XL or even XXL in cycling terms then fair enough, but at least keep them the same so that I know which size I need to buy.

I guess what I'm asking is do any specific manufacturers generally produce clothing in sizes relatively similar to standard clothing sizes or do they all just make it up as they go along?

francis666

I have exactly the same problem and the best fit by far is Altura.
Bought about five different brands online and sent them all back. One brand was 10XL!.
Altura xxl will fit. A lot of the MTB stuff do normal cuts like MPX

dee4life2005

Back when I started cycling I was a bit on the fat side, and needed an XL Altura jersey. I then bought a couple of craft base layers online and without thinking I went for the XL size again. You could have fitted two of me in that base layer, and I needed to return it for a medium!!

It really is a pain in backside I agree, but at least with some of the online retailers they have collect plus returns which are free or don't cost much - cheaper than returning via Royal Snail.

diamonddog

I am at the other end of the scale (51kg) and it is a total nightmare trying to find anything that is tight enough either online or in a shop whatever the price. A Decathlon shirt is the best fitting one I have.

sloppyschleckonds

Never.Had.A Problem

skyd0g

diamonddog wrote:

I am at the other end of the scale (51kg) and it is a total nightmare trying to find anything that is tight enough either online or in a shop whatever the price. A Decathlon shirt is the best fitting one I have.

Ditto, racing snake. Try the Santini range from Prendas Cyclismo.

cattytown

This one thing I *really* wish the EU would sort :-)

I find s/m/l/xl pointless in themselves as there is so much variation - inconsistency is the issue. Most seem to have some form of sizing table, but to me if you need a separate table to explain sizing, why not just use the table for the sizes?

Paul.

diamonddog

skyd0g - thanks for the tip, sizing looks about right gonna give them a whirl. I do love a tight fit

iwantblue

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

Never.Had.A Problem

Is that one of those after/before shots you see on the adverts??? for shrinking pills...

on a more serious point , say I 'knew somebody' :roll: :oops: that might need the sizng on the right..... any suggestions....

cattytown

er, Bibs help hold it in?

springer64

And don't start me on the anomalies in shoe sizing!!!!! :shock: :roll:

iwantblue

cattytown wrote:

er, Bibs help hold it in?

That'd be nice but finding bibs to squeeze into s even harder....

But I digress.. I'm you on shoes... both ways but thats not just with cycling shoes...

cattytown

I started not a lot smaller than that. You jus have to make do with the nearest. Altura seem more generous than others.