Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Jerseys: skin tight or a little loose?

Back in my skinny high school days I wore my jerseys skin tight, but now that I'm older and more clyde-esque, I'm a bit self conscious. Do you wear yours skin tight or a little loose?

Skintight. The most effective wicking that way and fashion be d@mned!

Tom's right. You do get better wicking (and more aero) when they're tight, but remember there is a fine line between close fitting and improperly sized.

I'm for the sausage set. I know when I'm fighting a head wind I want as much help as possible. Besides, the loose fitting clothes flapping in the wind can get annoying after a while.

I've got jerseys that fit both ways. I'm ok with the skin tight as long as I'm wearing bibs that do a little belly control as the tight ones roll up the belly a bit when I wear shorts.

mine are skin tight, they really shouldn't be for me since it makes me look like I have a beer belly, but I don't care, and it's motivation for me, that and the old 2005 disco team jersey that is in the closet...(paid for it and haven't ever worn it, it's too small! I can't wait for that to fit!)

Tom is right.

Wicking is a good reason but, if you need another, the worst thing ever is the chaffing that results from riding 2-3 hours into a strong wind with a loose jersey.

Now, I'm not talking about wearing a jersey that's a few sizes too big, just a little loose. Maybe my problem is I can't find one the fits good on the top & bottom? My Performance jerseys fit good thru the chest, but loose (and long) on the bottom. I have a Gerolsteiner which fits OK, but I wish it was a tad bigger, especially in the arms.

I like skin-tight for two reasons: 1; The wife likes the way I look love handles and all, 2; It provides support.

Wouldn't you want it loose on the bottom so's you can carry Stuff?

Now, I'm not talking about wearing a jersey that's a few sizes too big, just a little loose. Maybe my problem is I can't find one the fits good on the top & bottom? My Performance jerseys fit good thru the chest, but loose (and long) on the bottom. I have a Gerolsteiner which fits OK, but I wish it was a tad bigger, especially in the arms.

What are your dimensions? I am a 44L with a 35 inch waist and I tend to prefer the XXL (Size "6") euro jerseys. If I buy an American jersey (not often anymore) it's usually an XL.

With the tighter European jerseys you generally have to buy a size up from what you would wear in an American jersey.

I like skin-tight for two reasons: 1; The wife likes the way I look love handles and all, 2; It provides support.

One vote against skin tight jerseys here. For support, I wear a compression shirt under my jerseys. It keeps the loose skin in place and makes me appear less 'lumpy.'

What are your dimensions? I am a 44L with a 35 inch waist and I tend to prefer the XXL (Size "6") euro jerseys. If I buy an American jersey (not often anymore) it's usually an XL.

With the tighter European jerseys you generally have to buy a size up from what you would wear in an American jersey.

I measured last night, my chest is 45 and waist is 38. The jerseys I bought from Performance last year were all XL, their stuff seems to be a looser fit for us Americans ;)

With the tighter European jerseys you generally have to buy a size up from what you would wear in an American jersey.

That's the difference between race-fit and club-fit jerseys. Race-fit is the benching shirt of the cycling world; darn near takes a second person to shoehorn you into it. Club-fit is a little looser cut since tenths of a second from wind drag aren't usually a concern, even to slightly competitve recreational riders.

That being said, I prefer club-fit jerseys for two reasons: 1) I'm too fat to pack myself into a race-fit jersey, and 2) I'll get more of an advantage by being comfortable than attempting to make my beer belly "aero"

I measured last night, my chest is 45 and waist is 38. The jerseys I bought from Performance last year were all XL, their stuff seems to be a looser fit for us Americans ;)

+1 for the cut on Performance house brand jerseys. I've got a wicking t-shirt and a microfleece lined long sleeve club-fit from them, and they're both fantastic. Nearly the same measurements: 48/38, and the XL fits great. The big plus is that at 6'6", the length is correct! No belly shirts and 3/4 sleeves like some companies who can't get the length right on their gear.

I have jerseys that fir bith loose and tight. I agree that a tight fitting jersey looks better over bibs for a little belly control.

When I first started riding again (Aug, '06) I needed the club-fit jersey...race-fit didn't fit :lol: But, I've lost enough weight now, so that I can get into a race-fit.

Why? Because I hate jersey's that are too big or too long when they hang down covering my butt when I'm upright. I'm not trying to show off my butt or anything, but I don't like the feeling. I don't notice it as much when riding, but when standing or sitting upright...yuck. So I go with race/euro-fit...they sit right at my waist where they should be.

That's the difference between race-fit and club-fit jerseys. Race-fit is the benching shirt of the cycling world; darn near takes a second person to shoehorn you into it. Club-fit is a little looser cut since tenths of a second from wind drag aren't usually a concern, even to slightly competitve recreational riders.

That being said, I prefer club-fit jerseys for two reasons: 1) I'm too fat to pack myself into a race-fit jersey, and 2) I'll get more of an advantage by being comfortable than attempting to make my beer belly "aero"

Amen to that. Can't speak for any onlookers, but I don't like seeing myself in tight clothing. My brother (competitive triathlete) and I talked about it at one point and determined that things like aero and lightweight bikes don't matter a bit when the motor needs to shed somewhere between 50 and 70 pounds.

A little loose. But not too much where the jersey looks like it is hanging.

A little loose, it just feels more comfortable around the shoulders & sleeves. I wear sleeveless base layer to wick away sweat.

Hey, I know I got man boobs, I don't need to show them off. A little loose for this cat is just fine. I am usually not going so fast that I have to worry about flapping in the breeze.
Big wheels keep on spinning

Wouldn't you want it loose on the bottom so's you can carry Stuff?

When I got my road bike, in 2006, I was picking fairly loose jerseys. However, I found that whenever I carried stuff in the back pockets, I always felt a strain from the stuff pulling down. Then, I read in the Road Cycling forum that tighter jerseys help to make the back pockets more stable. I tried a tighter jersey on myself and I saw the light. Skin tight jerseys for me! :)

Then again, as someone else pointed out, there's a fine line between "skin tight" and "too small".

As well, I felt a little embarrassed to wear skin tight jerseys at first. But then the embarrassment flew away as my waist went from size 40 to size 34... :D

-André in Fredericton

Hey, I know I got man boobs, I don't need to show them off.

Here here!

I bought one that was a somewhat loose once, and didn't like the feel so much. Prefer the feel of skintight. One thought to add: if you happen to choose to spend a little more on a higher end garment, skintight may help it do its job of wicking better.

Tom is right.

Wicking is a good reason but, if you need another, the worst thing ever is the chaffing that results from riding 2-3 hours into a strong wind with a loose jersey.

What exactly chafes? My upper body doesn't really move while I'm riding...

What exactly chafes? My upper body doesn't really move while I'm riding...

Where ever loose material flaps in the wind.

When I discovered Bellweather and Aerotech 6 years back I had a smile from ear to ear.
Now Performance and Nashbar have joined the common sense club who realize we americans are NOT sized like europeans.
I like a looser fit. I have a 41 waist and 47.5 chest normal and I really am not into the clammy tight fit
(on someone who's 65,it's like disco spandex of mama cass)
Yes I do have a merino wool jersey and shorts from the days when I weighed in at 146.
It's a hoot to visualize trying to get into em now.

Actually, I just wear T-shirts. But a little loose is fine.

I like mine a little loose, but not loose enough to flap.

I like a loose Jersey. Even if I were thin I'd still wear them loose.

Where ever loose material flaps in the wind.

I think when you live in flat, windy states like Indiana and North Dakota, you notice this more.

It depends on the length. I have a long torso and most jerseys seem short in the torso to me, in which case they ride up when worn tight.

So if long enough, skin tight is fine. If not long enough (like most are to me), I prefer a little breathing room to keep it from riding up on my belly.

What exactly chafes? My upper body doesn't really move while I'm riding...

Nothing worse than a case of nipple burn!