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Safety Gear in “Big & Tall” Sizes – A List
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June 29, 2009 at 4:33 am #3092WeaponZeroParticipant
Let’s face it. Not all of us are built the same way, and not all of us are small or thin. Some of us need a good bit of extra size in our safety gear to accommodate our height, as in Elwood’s case, or our geometrically rotund figures, as with myself. Most safety gear isn’t built for people like us, so for that reason, I have made this thread to compile a list of jackets & pants available in Big & Tall sizes.
Joe Rocket – Unless you’re the size of Shaquille O’Neil after a few years on the Taco Bell diet, Joe Rocket likely makes gear available in your size. Most of their jackets are available in sizes ranging up to 6XL US, and many are available in tall or short configurations. On top of that, their sizing is typically on the generous side, so if you wear a 2XL in another brand, you could probably go down a size for a Joe Rocket jacket. Their quality has been known to be somewhat sketchy, but you can’t match their value and if you’re even reading this post, it’s probably because you don’t have very many options for safety gear.
Icon – Most of Icon’s jackets are available in up to 4XL US sizes, and, like with Joe Rocket, their sizing is a bit on the generous side. On top of that, they are known in the business for making jackets that are “freestyle cut” which basically means they’re designed to be baggy, as is popular in the stunter crowd. They are known for being high quality but a bit on the pricy side, and shopping online for their gear is made somewhat difficult by the fact that retailers are not allowed to advertise their prices on Icon gear per Icon’s rules. You actually have to call/email the place to get a price on Icon apparel.
Scorpion Sports Though their sizing only stops at 2XL on most of their jackets, they’re worth mentioning here due to the fact that all of their jackets can be ordered in tall or short sizes. Their quality is impeccable and they make what is regarded by many as the best all-season jacket on the market: The Scorpion Sports Hat Trick jacket.
Cortech Cortech has been making motorcycle accessories (mostly bags) since before I was even into motorcycles, and, a few years ago, entered the highly competitive budget safety apparel market. Their most expensive jacket doesn’t even retail for $300, and all of their jackets, which are of very high quality, are available in short and tall sizes (except for their line of denim jackets).
Alpinestars Alpinestars makes what could easily be considered the highest quality leather sport jackets on the market, and their textile stuff is a cut above the rest as well. Unfortunately, their jackets have always been made to be very snug fitting and taper in at the waist that makes them out of reach of those of us who aren’t of the slim/athletic built variety. Recently, however, they introduced a new line of both textile and leather gear called the Black Label line that was designed for a more relaxed fit and uses a conventional US XS-4XL sizing system, versus their normal “Euro” sizing system. Most of these jackets offer features you won’t find anywhere else, such as chest armor, and are pretty much the highest quality stuff you’ll find anywhere. Unfortunately, their pricing is also high. You can tell their Black Label apparel apart from their normal apparel because they use conventional “alpha” sizing. The Black Label line puts Alpinestars quality and safety features within the reach of those of us who have trouble fitting into their conventional gear.
Fieldsheer Fieldsheer is known for producing fairly high quality merchandise and at a relatively low price. Their Air Speed IV jacket is a warm weather leather jacket that’s available in sizes ranging up to 60 US. THATS HUGE! And it only retails for about $300 and is made from high quality Brazillian Cowhide leather, the toughest leather you can get. Most of their other jackets go up to insanely high sizes as well.
Power Trip Very little is known about the brand Power Trip. However, I recently discovered that they are affiliated with/owned by Joe Rocket and probably share similar quality and value. Their gear is similarly sized to Joe Rocket as well, though I haven’t been able to find out whether it is available in short or tall sizes anywhere.
Speed & Strength Speed & Strength is a very young brand, new to the market. Most of their gear was designed for sportbike riders but their styling is muted enough to pass for cruiser gear as well. Their styling goes up to 54 US on their jackets and their sizing has been described as “generous”, meaning they are baggy/loose (though not quite on the level of Icon) and you could go one size smaller than what you normally wear with other brands. Their quality has been described as very high and their pricing is about market average compared to their competitors. The only real gripe people seem to have about them is that they only make 2 leather jackets and neither one is suitably vented for use in warm/hot weather.
FirstGear FirstGear is a company that pretty much limits themself to textile. You won’t find leather anywhere in their entire catalog. Most of their gear is aimed at the touring rider, though there is some sport gear in there. And their sizing is available in short and tall, with generous sizing options. Their HT Air 2 Mesh Overpants are one of the only pants options that you have if you are of the geometrically rotund variety, like myself.
Draggin’ Jeans Draggin’ Jeans is a company that makes apparel that is made to order, so if you need it, they will make it, regardless of size. On top of making jackets, they make excellent jeans with optional knee armor that are the best riding jeans on the market. And they also make Draggin’ Liners (essentially armored long johns that offer abrasion resistance), and Draggin’ Shirts. You could make an entire wardrobe out of their gear that is perfectly passable as street gear.
That about concludes the list of gear available to the Big & Tall rider. If I missed anything, please be sure to add to this thread. And with a little bit of luck, it won’t get buried because it’s really valuable information for everyone, I feel.
6/29/2009 – edited for typographical errors and revised the Alpinestars description to condense it more.
June 29, 2009 at 5:41 am #20307leigh.vParticipantWhat about boots? I have big calves and have not found a pair I like.
June 29, 2009 at 5:47 am #20308MunchParticipantYou can try boots like that of the Vega touring…they lack in armor but have zippered sides and Velcro calf adjustments. Other companies have a varying flavor of thier own design as well.
June 29, 2009 at 6:01 am #20309leigh.vParticipantI’ve tried on the boots there, but where would I be able to try on some of the Vega touring style? Got all my gear from Scuderia and I like them a lot, but boot selection is small.
June 29, 2009 at 12:13 pm #20312MunchParticipantThat I am unsure of. I ordered mine online….kinda threw a hell mary with ordering it. The boots are really comfortable . Almost feel like moccasins more then boots. I think CycleGear still sales them and if you google them you can find them pretty easy. Oh yea….. additional side note….. far from water proof. If that’s a deal breaker I feel I should warn ya. Very breathable though. Also the shin guard on it, which is really the only armor it has, works well for the stray rock that will get kicked up by your front tire or the car in front of ya.
June 29, 2009 at 2:48 pm #20314WeaponZeroParticipantI haven’t done any research really into the footwear area yet. All I know is that I own a pair of Tourmaster Solution WP Waterproof Boots in size 13 and they fit my feet perfectly once broken in. I need to get a pair of non-waterproofs as well for summer riding, because anything that is waterproof you will also roast in when its hot out.
June 30, 2009 at 3:19 pm #20346bigguybbrParticipantI got to try on my pair when I was at Americade.
Maybe there are some bike shows or rallies around your area. Great time, and great to check out some gear.
July 1, 2009 at 5:22 am #20359zeppelinfromledParticipantHey, we have the same boots in the same size. I find that the calves area on the boot is actually pretty loose on my leg, so they might fall into the category of working well for people with big calves. It hasn’t gotten to be really hot yet, but I haven’t found the boots to be unbearably hot. They’re warm, but no warmer than my other (non-riding) boots
July 1, 2009 at 5:44 am #20360motokidParticipantDid you consider SWAT boots. they are scarily advertised like some kind of swat team boots, but in reality, they are very comfortable, sturdy, very light, adjustable (there’s side zipper besides laces and it works) and water tight. There are regular and wide sizes available.
July 1, 2009 at 12:37 pm #20334bigguybbrParticipantI have the same size, just not the same make boots. I wonder if they are made a little larger in the calf for the possibility of going over pants or thermals? I know that mine are fairly loose in the calf as well.
Maybe they are normal and we just all have chicken legs…
July 1, 2009 at 4:47 pm #20363WeaponZeroParticipantThe calf of the boot is just fine for me as well. But the heat from them is killing me when its 80+ degrees due to the fact that theyre black, leather, and have absolutely no air flow whatsoever. I’m looking into probably getting a paid of Icon Tarmac Ventilated Riding Shoes.
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