shriekingmonkey

So I'm 5'8, weigh about 280, and obviously with those proportions, finding cycling clothing in the bike shop is pretty-much a no-go. I've got some appropriately sized cycling shorts that I really like (I don't care how "good" I don't look in them, they are very functional) but I'm not happy with my jersey situation.

I sweat like a pig and of course cotton T-shirts aren't that great. I have a couple of jerseys that I bought from Aero Tech Designs. They are OK; they have pockets and a zipper in the front. The problem is, they are theoretically "wicking", but by the time I'm done with a 20 or 30 mile ride it is pretty much as soaked as a T-shirt. I guess it does dry quicker, just not while I'm riding.

I dunno, maybe I just sweat too much and nothing's going to work any better. Seems to not be a lot to choose from when you need a larger size, though (I'm wearing 3X currently), so I don't really have anything to compare too. The ones I have are 100% polyester. Is there a different kind of material I should be looking at? Anybody have any recommendations as to sources for plus-sized jerseys in general?

skilsaw

I'm an XL and my favorite jersey is made by SWOBO and is Merino wool.
I sweat a lot like you and the jersey gets soaked, but I know there is evaporation because white "Salt" lines appear.

Even though it is wool, I wash it with everything else, but I let it hang to dry. It comes out nice and fresh.

An advantage is the jersey is long so my gut doesn't hang out... one of the reasons many wear bib style pants.

mwchandler21

love2pedal.com especially for bibs.

You can also get pretty plain XL-XXL jerseys from Nashbar and Performance also.

zandoval 

Don't be surprised if you end up most comfortable in plain ole Cotton Polos or golfing T Shirts - Us guys who sweat allot are a different breed...

Don't forget to look at Soccer Jerseys...

diverkiwi

You are pretty close to my proportions.
I got my jersey from Love2Pedal fits like a dream
Just got one from performance in the mail today, Will be trying it out over the weekend. (but inital fitting felt good) The 3x was a little loose

Profgumby

I'm curious about this too. Not so much from a sweating standpoint but from a finding one that actually will fit! I am 5'11, 44 inch waist pants and a 54 inch chest! I just looked at a jersey retailers sizing chart and it said I need a 6XL size? they don't even offer one that big! Huh? I wear a 2x - 3x shirt, and the 3x are genrally loose. Do I really need to by a Jersey cut from the side of a friggin tent?

I ride in 3X cotton T's as they flap enough in the breeze to keep me cool, but I know I'd be cooler in a wicking type cycling shirt... any ideas?

imacflyr3

I'm 5'10, 287. I've been using a couple Starter brand 100% polyester wicking workout t-shirts I found at Wallyworld for less than $7 each! I'm wearing the XL size. They seem to work pretty well. I stay plenty cool out on the road.

1oddmanout

I can wear an IBIX merino wool undershirt under a regular tshirt and stay dry and cool, even on a hot and humid DC afternoon. The merino wool really makes a difference.

CraigB

In general I think you'll find that sizing of cycling clothes is different from sizing of street clothes. Be prepared to take a hit to the ego. I'm down to Larges in t-shirts and polos, but depending on brand and cut ("race" vs "club"), cycling jerseys that fit me are still XL to 2XL. That's just the way it is.

hassel50

I am 5' 11" 44" waist and 54" chest. I have used Mt Borah jersey's for several years and I am very pleased with their performance.

jgsatl

i've been wearing the 3x starter shirts from the walmarts. fit great, wick nicely and are cheap.

BigRich

I started riding in some bright/day-glow running shirts, problem was, no pockets. The three in the back of cycling jerseys are there for a purpose I guess. I'll still rock the cut off cotton tshirt for my short rides. I've gotten two great jerseys from love2pedal, service was great, even with an exchange because of size. I wear a 3x primal, but a 5x suarez. Go figure.

AeroTechDesigns

We manufacture our solid color jerseys up to size 5X https://www.aerotechdesigns.com/bikejersey.htm#atdsolid and our "tailored jersey" is available up to 6X https://www.aerotechdesigns.com/bigjersey.htm#bmtjersey . Both made in the U.S.A, and we are offering freeshipping right now with code: letsride but you have to select 1st class shipping in order for the code to work!

~Steve

DTSCDS

Size seems to have been answered.
As for the sweating: I doubt any material is going to make it much better on that front. The advantage of wearing the wicking materials (polyester or wool) vs cotton is the wicking material is designed to pull the sweat away from your body (cooling by evaporation?) and then dry faster. You're still going to sweat like crazy! The idea behind the wicking stuff is to make the entire sweaty process a little more bearable.

shriekingmonkey

Thanks for all the great suggestions everyone. As I mentioned in my OP, the Aero Tech jerseys are what I'm using now, and I'm reasonably happy with them; just wondered if there was any other kind of material that might work even better. At least they fit! Definitely going to check out some of the other suggestions as well. There actually is a Performance Bicycle shop close to my house, but the biggest thing they had in the store was a 2X.

irclean

Another vote for Love2Pedal.com!

Sayre Kulp 

I just ordered one from love2pedal.com - I got an email saying it shipped this morning. Once I get it, I'll let you know my thoughts.

badgermac

Found those Walmart Starter shirts today- one at one store for $7 on closeout, the other store had them for $8, so grabbed a couple...VERY nice for biking.