doubledown7d

So I just bought an Electra Townie 21d tall for my uber clyde self and am really enjoying getting active again. But being 6'3" and a little north of 350lbs, this SC heat/humidity takes it's toll pretty quickly. I've started looking for big and tall options for hot weather active wear. For example, I noticed Columbia clothing now offers a fabric that cools the wearer up to 30 degrees (their marketing facts, don't shoot me if it doesn't work). Of course they didn't think the big and tall people would want or benefit from this technology, as it is only in regular sizes! Sooooo, who offers great coolmax, drifit, etc. big and tall clothing?

Null66

Aero Tech Designs | Cycling Apparel, Bike Shorts, Bibs, Bike Jerseys

Great stuff, decent prices, marvelous service...

dru_

@Null66 nailed it there. Your options are pretty limited, but Aerotech is great. Now, if you keep at this, it is amazing how quickly you will notice weight shifting. Notice I don't say loss. Many of us that start a little larger find that we don't 'lose' much weight initially, but it moves around as we add muscle mass, and we shrink in strange places.

3 years ago, I was 270, rocking XXL tops and XL bottoms. I didn't lose anything up top for a long time, but found the need to move down to L bottoms fairly quickly. FWIW, 3 years later I'm hovering around 200 (some weeks I'm under others I'm over), and now wearing M bottoms with L tops (the occasional XL for length).

Fortunately, Aerotech is also reasonably priced

doubledown7d

Null66 and dru_, thanks for the suggestion. I am aware of them and do plan to order my first ever pair of bibs from them this week! Riding 6 miles in cargo shorts, bvds, and 97degree/93%humidity last week made me realize, "I bet these guys all riding in Lycra are doing this for a reason!". LOL. Now that the chaffing has settled down, I'm going for the bib (and maybe a pair of thin shorts over them...ya know, for now). I just found Reebok has some playdri and playice technologies they sell in B&T sizing. Might have to get one of the coolmax tshirts from aero tech too.

dru_

I also suggest a stick of "BodyGlide". Use it anywhere you might chafe before a ride. Lycra is good, not just for the moisture wicking but the freedom of motion, but BodyGlide is the difference between limping around from being rubbed raw and getting out on the bike 5-6 days in a row.

doubledown7d

I'll be sure to try some out!

Willbird

I picked up some shirts at Meijer store when I started out walking, use them riding too. They do not offer the features of a cycling Jersey (no pockets), but they are $10 each :-).

Short Sleeve T-Shirts | Champion.com

I hang them up to let them dry after a ride, they say to not let them lay in a pile wet, I snagged 4 of them so I do laundry every 3 days, machine wash cycling shorts and the shirts, hang the shorts to dry and run the shirts in the dryer.

OOPS actually it was target not Meijer, the shirts are "Duo Dry".

https://www.target.com/p/c9-by-champi...FdSMMgodPCUAfA

Little Darwin

A second for Aerotech... I haven't tried any jerseys yet, but I am wearing a pair of their big & tall bib shorts. Well made, and comfortable for me.

Also for an inexpensive non-cycling specific shirt, the moisture wicking shirts at alertshirt.com work for me too. For sizing at alertshirt, I am 6' tall, 340 lbs, and have a 3x long sleeved and 4x short sleeved. The 3x is more form fitting for me, but both have enough length that they should work for you at 6' 3" I like the bright colors, and they offer optional reflective strips if you are so inclined.

With my long sleeved shirt, I can sometimes feel my arms cooling when riding on hot days... so the wicking fabric definitely does its job.

kc0bbq

It's amazing how that works. I've started wearing a Descente base layer or Aerotech compression t-shirt under my jersey even on hot days. Not sure if it's just the wicking, or if adding another layer helps keep the UV off me, but I don't roast as much under the sun.

I really like Aerotech, the people are great. I love the keychains they throw in the box, they make great stealth beer bottle openers.

Little Darwin

I didn't even realize it was capable of opening bottles until I saw reference to it online... Even before that I had one on my key chain

Pamestique 

Actually if you don't care if the jersey has back pockets, I would look at what Target (Champion brand) or JC Penny has to offer. Both carry a really nice, inexpensive active wear collection that comes in larger sizes. Fabrics are lightweight and wick beautifully - and will cost you around $20 vs $65 - 80... I pretty much no longer purchase cycling jerseys (since I always use a camelbak) unless its from a special event and instead buy from Target and JCP. I'm pretty happy with the decision...

Mason Red

Just purchased and used endura cool multicool made by Mission. Rode this morning with it under my helmet, a great piece of equipment and I plan to get an extra. Lowes carries these in Texas not sure if they are in you're area.

Jimbosays

Aero Tech for shorts & bib shorts.

I have come to especially appreciate the Under Armour "Heat Gear" line. Sure, it costs a lil' more . . . But there really IS a difference in quality 'wicking wear'.

An example of a recent fav:

Men?s UA Iso-Chill Short Sleeve Shirt | 1243162 | Under Armour US

Null66

One difference is the front zipper, I find they really help when it gets hot...

donalson

first congrats on the bike, I've pointed many people towards the electra townie series, they are great fun... my wife runs around on an electric orange 7d that I steal frequently for around the neighborhood type rides with the family,


as others have pointed out many stores now carry wicking clothing... I picked up my first at one of the local sports stores (sports authority maybe?), no pockets or zippers... with the upright position on the townie I wouldn't think a "proper" cycling jersey would give much benefit (longer cut in back to cover any possible plumbers crack, and pockets to hold random stuff, and maybe a zipper which is a nice thing for getting a bit more air flow).

for bottoms i'm not sure what would work best with the large/wide seat, I know from experience that cotton boxers are not the answer (duh) but I think that traditional spandex riding shorts may put the chamois (pad) seams in awkards places... I would consider some wicking boxer/brief type undies along with some synthetic sports shorts of some sort.

as others have mentioned Aero Tech Designs | Cycling Apparel, Bike Shorts, Bibs, Bike Jerseys makes good stuff and has a line designed for the big & tall group, I bought a pair of bibs and was impressed with the quality but sadly they didn't fit me right so they had to go back :-/ (they have a painless return policy)

Home Page - Bouré Bicycle Clothing is another great shop that has stuff the big guy, and if their off the shelf stuff doesn't fit they'll custom make it for you for a few extra bucks... but the prices are a bit higher than aerotech... I get my bibs from them (boure) because they fit me well, and in the end that's the key.

one other that are a bit more of a budget option are https://www.love2pedal.com/ (good stuff for the price), and https://www.nashbar.com/ (watch the closeout specials, although sometimes the big size stuff isn't avl)

I've used every one of these companies and wouldn't hesitate to use any of them again

Cychologist

Love2pedal has some great looking jerseys in Clyde sizes. I got a Fat Bastard one from them I love.

Wooden Tiger

I recently got a few shirts in XXL from Performance Bike. While they're not your typical "kit-style" shirts (more like wicking t-shirts), they're comfortable and very reasonably priced. I just got a few on sale last week for around $15. They seem to work pretty nicely.

My wife gets clothes from Aerotech. She seems to be pleased with them, aside from the fact it took her over three weeks to get two pairs of shorts.

doubledown7d

Great suggestions everyone. Thanks for replying. I am going to go through all of them and hopefully put together what is right for me. My Aero Tech bib came in today, and fits pretty well, except the butt which has a little extra fabric and feels like the pad will move due to it. Think I may either send back for a smaller size or go with a compression type boxer under regular shorts. Found some great performance reebok tops at destination xl, they were pricy so I only bought two, but they are nice and fit great. Hopefully, I can find a few more options in what everyone suggested and be kitted out at least till I drop a few sizes
and, just in case any other Clyde's wonder, the Electra Townie is GREAT! Really making it fun to get back on the saddle again. If anyone ever has any questions about them, feel free to PM.

donalson

bib fit is funny, but the big key is that they are designed to fit while on the bike, aka bent over/leaning to reach the bars so while standing in them they aren't going to fit correctly.

for wicking fabrick be careful when washing/drying these things... I prefer to machine wash on cold and just let them hang dry... they dry fairly quickly (the chamois in riding shorts being the slowest drying portion)...

as for the townie... as you get in better shape and want to go faster you will likely feel it holding you back... I never ride it on longer or quicker rides but it is a hoot all the same

lost_in_endicot

I bought one of these a few weeks ago, and I like it a lot. We went to Target last night, and they have them marked buy one, get one 50% off. I think I got the last 2 XXL shirts they had on the rack.

Willbird

I think I have washed in cold and then machine dried on "delicate" at least 6 times (not mixed in dryer with anything else) they seem fine with that, I do hang the cycling shorts to dry, and I do hang the shirts to dry after riding as opposed to letting them lay wadded up in a damp ball :-).

I'm about ready to move down to XL so will have to have a look at Target.

salreus

I bought 5 JERZEES - 100% Polyester SS T-Shirt's from alertshirt. I must say I am very happy with the shirt and the fit. I have always had issues with shirts being too short. These are nice and long and cover my belly. They are also lose fit and dry super fast. And $10 for 3XL vs bicycling jersey is a great price.

Thanks so much for the heads up.

Willbird

Hey guys and gals Walmart has some Russel wicking shirts that were like $7.50 on sale right now for $5.50, I snagged two XL, and 3L for when I shrink into them :-).

Those are the solid colors which I prefer, but they had some fancier looking ones for around $10, got them in the wash right now.
They are called..........
Russell Men's Dri Power 360 Tee

salreus

Link for the larger sizes
Russell Big Men's Dri Power 360 Tee: Big & Tall : Walmart.com

WVU_Engineer

I saw this thread and went out to target and JCPenny and bought one of each. Each place only had one in my size, 2X (hopefully the 2X fit cause there were no bigger ones). I will report how each one works. I have nothing to compare them to other than a regular T-Shirt though.

I also saw these Hanes Big Men's Short Sleeve Cool DRI Tee: Big & Tall : Walmart.com
on Walmart's website, there is quite a selection of colors.