Performance shorts sizing
 

Looking for sizing info.

I'm looking at trying out the Performancebike.com shorts (Performance Century Short w/ Gel Chamois)

I am kinda inbetween a L and XL, however the Pearl Izumi Attack XL size fits me just right.

Does anyone know if Performance's sizing is similar to PI ?

Thanks,

L

Performance shorts sizing:

if you're a small, buy XS

if you're a medium, buy S

if you're a Large, buy M

If you're an Extra-Large, buy L

too generalized

i have 2 pairs of performance shorts - Elite and Ultra
the ultra was 1-size smaller than elite

so sizing is inconsistent within performance branded stuff themselves

im 145lb 30" waist, on S elite and M ultra
fwiw, next thing i buy will be L

I have the Ultras also. I bought a small according to the measurements, but I had to exchange it for a medium at the store. It might be different with the Century though.

yeah, for the most part performance shorts are produced by many different vendors so sizing is specific to each model. sorry, ya jes gotta go to de store and try em on.

oh and make sure you wear some sorta protection.

Wish I had that 2 months ago. I just bought a pair L and they fit a little loose on me. Good thing I plan on increasing my thigh diameter and they have a drawstring at the waist :D

I bought a pair of Ultras last year, and based on their sizing chart I'd be a size M, considering that I have a 31" waist. I found them extremely tight and actually kind of hard to get into. Some time last fall I got my first set of bibs from my team, size L, and realized how much BETTER they fit. I compared them to the Ultras and there was a massive difference that had absolutely nothing to do with one having straps over your shoulders and the other not.

Thanks to Performance's return policy I was able to return the Ultra M's and get L's instead. They fit substantially better, but according to Performance's website, this means I must have a 36-38" waist. That ain't right . . .

I have several pairs of Performance shorts 2002 Centuries, 2004 Elites, early-2005 Ultras, late-2005 Ultras, 2006 Elites, and 2006 Ultra bibs. All pairs exept the late-2005 Ultras and 2006 Ultras bibs were Medium and they fit great. The late 2005 Ultras were originally Mediums, and they were incredibly tight. I returned them for Larges which fit fine. Before buying the 2006 Ultras bibs, I called Performance technical support and they recommended Larges. Performance changed manufacturers and their sizing changed.

You should typically go up 1 size on Ultras and Elites. Century, Century Gels and Classics are usually pretty close to the size chart.

Beginning to see a trend here; 140 lbs, 30" waist...Bought Medium Performance Ultras and they were way too tight...to the point where they damn near cut off the circulation in my thighs.

Every Performance short I have bought have been on the small side. 32 waist and the mediums plan and simple dont fit.

ok, it looks like I need to err on a larger size
thanks

Performance shorts are smaller than PI in my experience. Had a pair but never used them because they compressed my package too much. PI and REI shorts are better, IMO.

I'm a medium in the PI ultrasensor and a medium in one of the cheapo performance shorts too. (By the way, I'm about a size 32 )

Yea, the one-size-up thing is well documented as far as the Ultras and Elites go. I am an M, I got the L Ultras and they were pretty snug when new. They've been washed about a few dozen times in the last few months and they've loosened up to where I kind of wish I got the M. But I am pretty sure I would not be able to fit a new M pair at all.

I've bought Performance Century shorts for years. They go on sale regularly so I buy them then. All these years I've bought XL. They fit good. About a year ago I bought 2 pairs of XL. They were uncomfortably tight - enough so that I won't wear them. I haven't gained weight. Recently I bought some XXL's. They fit around the waist and are comfortable. Only problem is the leg grippers are kind of loose - like my old shorts after they lost their elastic. I guess I won't have the tight-short-gripping-my-massive-leg-muscle look anymore. (Ha! My wife says I have bird legs.)

Long story short: I think Performance shorts are suffering from size-deflation.

I had just the opposite experience on a pair of Ultras. I needed a large, maybe an XL and ended up having to get XXL. They're still snug on me. I'm 6'3 with a 34" waist, probably approaching 32" now.

Digging this thread out for more data . . .

According to the Performance sizing chart, I am a medium. I ordered Ultra shorts in XL, and the legs are way too tight. The sizing is ridiculous on these things.

I have 2 pairs of the Century Gel bibs...I ordered Large(I have a 34-35" waist)so I ordered up a size as I was in betwen...they fit fine...only problem is I didn't really like the chamois....so if anyone wants em halfprice let me send me a pm....otherwise they seem well put together....wore them a few times and couldn't agree with the chamois.

Get them one size larger than the size chart recommends. I bought a pair of Bibs (exact type escapes me) and according to the size chart I should be a medium. I thought I was going to tear them apart putting them on. I called customer service and complained that their sizing was too small and they sent me a return postage. I exchanged them for the large which fits much better.

Ultra bibs switched to Euro sizing last year and no one ever bothered to change the sizing charts. before this change I was wearing size "L" and was thinking of going to "M". Now I still order a size "L", but if the lot that the shorts were made in was on the low side of their tolerancing then they are almost too tight.

Size up on Ultras. This most likely does not affect any other of Performance's bibs.

Ultras are sized Euro, that is one size smaller.

The gel chamois sucks. It's heavy and there's so much bulk it actually contributes to chafing if you're already inclined.

The Elites are good, the Ultras are awesome.

Az

Looks like I'm 2 sizes up with the Ultra shorts, and they are out of XXL. I'll probably just return them since I don't care for the fabric compared to my Cannondale Domestique shorts.

Performance short sizing seems to change every year. Last year their Ultra short L fit me perfect. This year the same exact short is about 4" longer in the legs and wider everywhere else. They must outsource to the cheapest bidder each year and each tailor makes them different.

Actually I have had the sizes vary greatly within the same year. I actually think they have a problem with mis-labeling sometimes. Luckily I have a Performance retail location locally that I can go and try them on at. When I order the same size online they are never right.