hshearer

My team offered to throw in a skinsuit if I bought shorts and jersey, which was very generous, since I'm their weakest rider right now (though I will be focusing on time trials). However, I take a women's medium, and the skinsuit I got is a men's large. I think it was probably surplus from the order, which is why they were able to give it to me. I've never tried on any other skinsuits, so I don't really know how they shold fit. Help?


The fit is definitely not good, but I'm wondering if it's bad enough that the suit is wasted going to me. From the fit charts, the suit is for a 39 3/8 chest (I'm 34), and a 34 5/8 waist (I'm 28.5). From trying it on, the chamois gapes and folds at the back when I'm standing, and the suit seems too long in the torso, since the crotch isn't snug (a gap of about an inch). When I bend over into a tuck, however, it seems tolerable. My biggest concern is that a men's chamois isn't going to work too well (thin padding where I might want it most, and I know I don't like men's chamois in other shorts I've tried). The fabric is loose in the torso and has some wrinkles (mostly around my collarbones), but still mostly hugs my skin. It fits well through the thighs and hips.

Is this a waste of a good skinsuit? What would you do? I don't want to seem ungrateful by asking if they have a different size (and there will maybe be another order going in this season). On the other hand, if I can't stand the chamois (and I won't know until I ride for real), it's going to be a waste.

Maybe if the chamois makes riding really uncomfortable, I'll be extra motivated to make it to the finish ASAP?

Grumpy McTrumpy

A skinsuit should be so tight it is hard to get on.

I'd tell them to save it for someone who fits it. It will only make you slower flapping in the wind like that.

brianappleby

Or get it altered to fit you.

Nate552

Tighter is Righter. Get the right size, or get to a tailor and have them alter it like brianappleby said.

Psimet2001 

Sounds like it's too big. I wouldn't wear it.

rbart4506

You happen to race for PK?? Your last name looks familiar....

PS...You'll find that a lot of the teams don't get lady's specific skinsuits because of additional costs related to minimum orders and such...

Fat Boy

It should be tight enough to make you self-conscious. It sounds too big with the wrong chamois. I'd give it back.

rbart4506

^^^Really, does anyone ever look good in a skinsuit....I hate wearing mine and I'm a skinny ass...

hshearer

Thanks guys. It sounds like it is too big, then; it's definitely very easy to get into. Plus, I'm losing about a pound every couple weeks right now, with about 10-15 more to go, so it might be WAY too big by next year. I think the right thing to do is give it back so it gets to someone who can use it, and save up my $$$ to get one in my size. No point in having a suit if it doesn't fit... stretchy fabric that seems to cling when standing still will probably be rippling in the wind of the massive speed I generate, right? It's not like I have a time trial bike, or an aero helmet, or shoe covers, or aero wheels, or etc. etc., yet... Darn, I wish I'd been built to climb hills instead; it seems cheaper!

rbart...yes, PK, have we met?

GirlAnachronism

I'm pretty sure that our team skinsuits aren't women's specific, and the chamois hasn't been a problem for any of us, especially since it's something we don't wear very often or for very long. One of my teammates got one of the guy's hand-me-downs and it's worked just fine, but she's big and it's tight on her.

I also wouldn't be shy about asking for a different size.

GirlAnachronism

I think I look pretty good in mine, but then modesty is not my strong suit, so to speak...

pjcampbell

Mens large is huge
I wear a mens medium for a TT @ 6'2 160

rbart4506

I'll leave this one alone, my wife has been known to visit these parts

jsutkeepspining

i wear a small and im 6 foot at 160. the only girl on our team wears the same size as me, but her's is alot looser on her than mine is on me.

mike868y

My skinsuit is too loose. Need an xs hincapie.

jsutkeepspining

pics or it never happened haha

mike868y

keep it in your pants.

mattm

Yeah getting mine on & off is tricky, it feels like a straight jacket!

I love my skinsuit though, it feels great, and I hear it doesn't look too bad either.

Psimet2001 

Every time I zip one up I can't help but do a Chris Farley imitation, "Fat Guy in a Sausage Suit. Fat Guy in a Sausage Suit."

waterrockets 

Yeah, I'm 6'4" 180, and Large is almost too big for me. Medium would just be too short in the torso though. I do wear medium jerseys though (nice and tight).

hshearer

Okay, that seals the deal. I'm 5' 10 and 155, so no way a large is right for me if it's too big for you guys!

rbart4506

Ah geez...I think I was in a small of the old one and that was little big...

aicabsolut

It definitely sounds too big. I only wear men's (XS) (fits me better, the chamois is a non-issue), and if I were to have to buy women's, I'd probably go up a size (S). I can't see wearing a larger size in a men's skinsuit, though I have worn a small men's skinsuit. It wasn't ideal, but it worked out ok because it was still winter when I raced in it, and I could fit thick baselayers underneath.

recon455

My team's clothing is made my Primal, and their sizes are all wonky.

Anyway, I wear a mens EXTRA SMALL, and I am 6'2" 165. It's perfect. The point is, sizes suck.

David Rayson

"Your skinsuit is clearly ridiculous and I would certainly send it back with a cryptic comment.

But it is an interesting subject, I am an inline skater and we wear a skinsuit for all training and competition. The difference is that there is no ‘padding’ however a good fit is essential as body movement, especially arms as well as legs is quite extreme.

I have also been involved in organising club suits and universally there are complaints about fit and the general quality

It is important the suit fits tightly to provide support and that there are no wrinkles. This requires a good shape, if the suit is too tight particularly across the chest it will inhibit breathing and grippers must be ‘just right’ at the legs and arms. I find that the waist is inevitably too loose and does not provide the required abdominal support. Similarly body length is critical, if too long it will inhibit movement and it too short, well!

In addition the suit must be well made, high quality workpersonship, material and components are essential. The quality of the lycra will determine the opaqueness of the suit as well as its longevity. The stitching must allow for stretch and be strong. The zip has to be light but of a good quality as it comes under significant stress, both whilst putting the suit on and during skating.

Most importantly the graphics must be outrageous, so the wearer will be noticed and will feel good! For the club to be instantly recognised this requires good professional design and understanding of the construction of the garment so that alignment of lines and colours occurs with all sizes.

Despite this complexity I have hit the bonanza!

Let me preface, I together with some buddies are planning a 5 weeks unsupported cycling tour, which horror of horrors, we will have to carry our gear in panniers so travelling light is essential. We will be travelling in Europe in early summer so the weather will be variable. It is proposed to wear a skinsuit as the base layer and add arm and leg warmers a vest etc., as required, but the basic skinsuit will be for the hot days.

With two possible three suits we can wash each day simply and allow to dry over night. My investigation has led me to a Castelli Cyclocross suit which lifts the bar on both fit and workmanship considerably and feels really good. I am 172cm, 78kg and a small is perfect, even though quite tight the genitals are treated with respect.

I am also looking at the Castelli Sanremo Speed suit which is an ingenious combination of top and their amazing ‘body paint‘ bottoms. If I can source one of these I will get one.

I did try the full racing Castelli Bodypaint Speedsuit, it feels amazing but is pretty expensive. It has long sleeves and despite being a size M, is really tight which could be a bit uncomfortable for long periods. But it looks fantastic.

Now stop dreaming and back to work, its rainy and cold here. "