Leathers: the Fit..?

[ReeseSD]

Hello,

I am approaching my first track day and have taken the advice of many and bought a one piece leather. My question is, how should it fit? I know it should fit really tight but I am concerned about under my arms, it feels really constricted. Also, and I think this is the real reason to send it back for the next size, I have not tried it on with a back proctor.

When I put the suit on (and off) its a struggle, is that common for a good fit? Its not custom or anything like that, its just a size 44. The legs and crotch fit well and the padding on the elbows line up. So i am worried that going to a 46 would throw all that off. and I should get a back protector to test the final fit but, just putting on a t-shirt, i can feel the difference.

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance,

Gregory...

[TTD]

A little late now... but I would have suggested custom leathers.

I get mine from SYED Leathers ™ and just send them my measurements.

If you're an average build, then off the rack might fit fine.

However, as for fit, they should be snug in places that don't require movement (such as the chest, calves, arms, etc).

But the joints / lower back should have mesh or something else that allows bending.

[ReeseSD]

This is the suit

http://www.topgearleather.com/produc...ther_Suit.html

I have time to return it and get a larger size and I think I have to. Just sitting around the house I feel I struggle to breath. Its a fine line between a tight fit and just to small, right?

Add the heat of a July track day and well, anyone ever pass out?

I'm checking out that site too. Thanks

[mzdagrl]

I would go up a size. If it is too tight to allow free movement, then it is too small. The fit should be snug, not tight. Once it has been worn a few times and sweat in, it will loosen up a bit, but if you can't freely move your arms and find that it is hard to breathe, you don't want to be riding in it.

[lrrs313]

And if its that tight without a back protector, you probably won't be able to zip up when you put a back protector on.

[lrrs313]

Hello,

.

When I put the suit on (and off) its a struggle...

Under Armour. Get some--there's nothing harder than peeling leathers off that you've been sweating in and now they're stuck to your skin.

[ReeseSD]

Wow thank you all for the replies.

Its going back for sure.

As far as what is warn underneath, what is the under armor all about.. I guess I will look that up.

Again, thank you.

[lrrs313]

Under armour is made of a wicking material. It keeps you cooler on hot days. It is also very tight fitting, and the exterior is pretty slippery. Makes getting in/out of leathers MUCH easier.

[Kurlon]

It also prevents burns from the leathers shifting in a crash. Ask me how I know. : )

One thing to remember, most one piece suits are cut to sit in a natural racer's crouch. If you're trying to stand normally, they should be all kinds of uncomfortable. Put them on, then sit on the bike, and see if they don't 'come into it' a bit.

[lrrs313]

It also prevents burns from the leathers shifting in a crash. Ask me how I know. : )

One thing to remember, most one piece suits are cut to sit in a natural racer's crouch. If you're trying to stand normally, they should be all kinds of uncomfortable. Put them on, then sit on the bike, and see if they don't 'come into it' a bit.

Very good point. My leathers are most definitely NOT comfortable standing around. On a bike, however, it's a different story.

[ReeseSD]

Even on the bike its tight and hard to breathe. Also, that point about the back protector and I have yet to try the suit on with it, I really think it would be hard(er) to even get in to the suit.

Does the under armor replace the liner?

[ReeseSD]

Ok I see now Under armour is a brand name. I see that now. I ride with bicycle padded shorts, I will be wearing tham but the a Under armour t-shirt is a great idea.

Check this out
Nike PreCool Vest Keeps Athletes Cool | Be Sportier

[CEO]

Even on the bike its tight and hard to breathe. Also, that point about the back protector and I have yet to try the suit on with it, I really think it would be hard(er) to even get in to the suit.

Does the under armor replace the liner?

This here tells me you should consider returning the suit.

Suits will stretch a bit as you break them in (try wearing it around your house for a while), but if you haven't added the back protector yet and it's hard to breathe, the suit is too tight.

I like mine to fit nice and snug, but the level of snugness you're describing is not what you want.

And no, the underarmour doesn't replace the liner.

[wingerdor]

Underarmour makes long sleeve shirts and full leg bottoms. Trust me, with out something like them, you'll hurt yourself peeling them off after a 20 minute sweaty track session

[The Snowman]

And if its that tight without a back protector, you probably won't be able to zip up when you put a back protector on.

This was going to be my question. I found the suit I want, but was worried about sizing, since they gauge them for skinny guys and not us heavier guys. (I'm not FAT, but not thin either. 15 years of working out fairly faithfully made me thick. Add "comfort weight" and, well, you get the picture.

I was looking at a Teknic Chicane 1 piece. My jacket is a 46, which fits pretty well with the full liner in it, but is slightly loose without the liner.

I figure if I get the 46 in the suit, it would fit better with the back and chest protectors.

[lrrs313]

You're probably right. A friend of mine was able to get into my leathers (can't remember the size), but they were VERY tight even withouth the back protector. He ordered one size larger, and they fit great with a back/chest protector on.

[Crash Dummy Denno]

Reese,

Get long sleeve under armor "heat gear" and go a size up. What you're describing is too tight. Its much cheaper and comfortable to return and pay the shipping/ restock fees rather than purchasing a new suit in a year or paying for alterations.


Good Luck,

Denno

[Omahastylin16]

i dont know much about the track or leathers, but I can tell you that underarmor is awesome for riding in general. Underneath a jacket it definitely does keep you cooler on very hot days, keeps you dry as well, and makes you look good : also with the feel of it I can see how it would be make taking off a tight one piece easier.

If you're tight on cash theres tons of knock offs on the brand, matter of fact even walmart has their own brand of underarmor that has stood up pretty well for me

[The Snowman]

Well, everything I ordered came in today. It felt like Christmas.

Teknic Chicane Suit
Knox Ricochet Back Protector
Knox Ricochet Chest Protector
c'mon September...

All fit well. I put the suit on with the armor and they felt great. A little snug, but once broken in, they'll feel great. Yes, I can breathe.

I do have one question though . . . do you normally keep the CE back protector in as well when you wear an unattached back protector, or do you usually take that out and use just the unattached one?

Some pics:

[Crash Dummy Denno]

id say take out the ce armor and use the back protector

[RyanNicholson]

I run the same suit (same color even)....and use a bohn back protector. I've never taken any of the padding out of the suit.

[The Snowman]

id say take out the ce armor and use the back protector

I would have to agree. Otherwise, my back looks like Mark's. (damn iron pumper)

But I'm happy that off the rack stuff fits me like this stuff does. I have a longer torso and getting that to fit is usually a challenge.

[ReeseSD]

So I ended up returning the one piece suit and getting a 2 piece. I figured that the I am not hardcore enough to need a one piece suit. I also really like the 2 piece I got 2 pc Yamaha Motorcycle Racing Suit Leather Suit And oh yeah, it cost a lot less. I hope it does not slide a lot less...

[The Snowman]

Looks like a great suit.

My wife wanted to see my new suit fit, so she I HAD to slide into it once again. Only this time (after Denno's suggestion), I removed the CE back protector that came with the suit. The first time I tried it on, I had BOTH the CE and the Knox hard back protectors in and it was a tight fit. It was MUCH better. Felt great when I sat on the bike.

Yeah, she snapped a picture...

[ReeseSD]

Yeah man that suit looks great. Where did you pick that up? is it your first one?

Question, how important are armored gloves? also, anyone here going to Tony's track day on July 16th? It will be my first track day. I am feeling somewhat anxious about it. A lot has to do with the bike, I am riding a 2007 R1. I will need to show it a lot of respect it's bigger than me..