Leathers--sizing for tall & skinny people

[JBH]

OK, so I'd like to get a decent set of leathers. But the sizing thing is giving me, um, fits. Har har.

Now, I've done enough reading and talking to people to realize a couple of things:

1. Different manufacturers have different sizing, i.e. one company's size 38 may be larger or smaller than another company's size 38. Got it.

2. A size 38 in leathers likely won't fit the same as a size 38 suit jacket. Got it.

3. Ideally, one of the best ways to find out how leathers fit is to actually try them on, for example, at a motorcycle dealer. Got it. I plan to do that soon.

4. When you're ready to buy, eBay is your friend, especially if you ain't got tons of money. And give yourself several weeks to check stuff out, so you don't buy the first nasty, busted-ass thing that comes down the pike. Got it.

But I also would like some input on a specific question. Without paying mega-dollars, what are the odds that I can find a set of leathers that will fit me correctly if I am tall and skinny?

I stand 6'1" tall, and I weigh 155 lbs. I normally wear a "38 Long" suit jacket (on the one or two days a year that I wear it). So my torso is a bit long, proportionally, to my height. I have about a 31" waist, and my normal pants size is 31" (waist) x 32" or 34" (inseam).

Anyone else out there with a similar tall AND skinny body type who's actually found some leathers that fit well? It's one thing to go to a motorcycle dealer and try stuff on, and then get looked at like an idiot when if you tell 'em it's for skateboarding. It's quite another to hear from actual skateboarders who actually use their leathers for skateboarding. That's what I'm looking for. So, can anyone share some details? I'd sure appreciate it. Thanks.

[bpz]

I've noticed a lot of lanky guys can fit into standard regular sizes, but usually lose a few inches of coverage at the bottom of their legs, near their ankles. A one-piece or two-piece suit that zips together will do that - the jacket will kind of lift the pants up. I'm a pretty standard built, I'm like 6 feet tall and weigh around 185lbs, but my leathers left a bit of my ankle showing. I invested in some decent hi-top's that cover what the leathers don't and it seems to work fine.

Just a random word of advice

[Basch]

I'm glad I'm just a bit overweight. I got my leathers actually a size or 2 too small. But they were old = stretched.
Had the legsection modded. And having the top section modded a bit too. It was just that tad bit too tight to be really confortable with buttboarding

[spikedfro10]

Craigslist is also your friend, i just got some teknic leathers for $150

[doctor worm]

im 6'4 160lbs. my leathers are size 42, and dont fit me at all.

[bpz]

im 6'4 160lbs. my leathers are size 42, and dont fit me at all.

The captain of Team Lanky himself has posted!

Everyone bow down before his lankiness!

[K-Rimes]

I'm 6' 2" and wear a size 42 (I think it might be Euro, as it's a Dainese suit), and they're too short in the ankles, but everywhere else is just fine.

[JBH]

Bump. Anyone else care to comment?

[~Stuart~]

im 6'3" and like 140-150 (never actualy weighed my self). i have a size 42, and the torso and arms are perfect length (my arms end halfway around the bone on my wrist, but thats cus my elbow pads pull them up when my arms are straightened)

but like said above, my pants are pulled up slightly when i zip the the top to bottom. JUST REMEMBER, if your buying motorbike leathers they are intended for motorbike boots, and they come mid calf. so the leather will end higher then your normal pants . and if your in a store just ask the guys. when i bought my leathers the guy called me "one of those crasy longboarders eh? you guys are ###### nuts" after haveing just talked about pulling like 230kph on the highway on his moterbike

[woohoobaloogapoo]

wow... looks like i'm in for it when i try to find some leathers... i'm like 6' and wear a 31x32-34, roughly 130lbs. but trying to gain some weight

[JBH]

im 6'3" and like 140-150 (never actualy weighed my self). i have a size 42, and the torso and arms are perfect length (my arms end halfway around the bone on my wrist, but thats cus my elbow pads pull them up when my arms are straightened)

but like said above, my pants are pulled up slightly when i zip the the top to bottom. JUST REMEMBER, if your buying motorbike leathers they are intended for motorbike boots, and they come mid calf. so the leather will end higher then your normal pants . and if your in a store just ask the guys. when i bought my leathers the guy called me "one of those crasy longboarders eh? you guys are ###### nuts" after haveing just talked about pulling like 230kph on the highway on his moterbike

Thanks, Stuart. Mind if I ask what brand you have?

[king edward]

Well I googled my size 42 motorace x brand (or some combination of x moto and race) and didn't find anything. I am the same height and weight as you (JBH) and the fit is damn near perfect. Same story with the naked ankles though, again high tops. It's a little tight in the shoulders but I bought them new so they should stretch to fit a little better.

[JBH]

Well I googled my size 42 motorace x brand (or some combination of x moto and race) and didn't find anything. I am the same height and weight as you (JBH) and the fit is damn near perfect. Same story with the naked ankles though, again high tops. It's a little tight in the shoulders but I bought them new so they should stretch to fit a little better.

Thanks, King.

[~Stuart~]

joe rocket, GPX-2 piece (from a motorbike show for really cheap) i got the 2 piece because the 1 piece had a hump (which is now mandatory for all racing leathers, or so i hear) and it interfered with my helmet... that and i want to be able to take off the top when i get hot (and not riding)

[Astronomical]

6' 1/4" and 130-135lbs. I am winrar.

[telecaster]

Jonathan,

You and I are similiar in lankyness.... I wear tall everything even though I'm only 6' even.
I've got a Fieldsheer 2 piece that is as good as I've ever found "off the rack"...for MY lankinness......pretty cheap too as far as motorcycle racing weight leather goes....
Kneedraggers.com has pretty good prices if you'd rather get a "fresh" i.e. unstinky
set....hehehehe

I've found that being bent over a sportbike for long stints are more tolerable in a 2 piece
since the jacket is a little freer to rotate over the pants (even when zipped together)

how that will relate to skating is a guess....I've tried alot of 1 piece suites on and have never found anything even close to fitting me for motorcycle riding let alone tucking
on a speedboard... I'm talking "off the rake" sizes (custom leathers are BIG $$...)
I'd think a 1 piece would be more aero though.....

the other argument for the 2 piece is the ease of replacing whichever end gets ravaged first...

where will you be needing these leathers??? S.Western state in April perhaps???

Later,Tod

[JBH]

I've found that being bent over a sportbike for long stints are more tolerable in a 2 piece since the jacket is a little freer to rotate over the pants (even when zipped together)

how that will relate to skating is a guess....I've tried alot of 1 piece suites on and have never found anything even close to fitting me for motorcycle riding let alone tucking
on a speedboard...

Thanks, Tod. Good to know. I realize it's a bit of a crap shoot. I haven't found any place in STL that has one-piece suits, or even pants. So I tried on a few jackets last weekend, just to see how they fit. It's a weird feeling getting all "armored up" like that when you're used to skating in shorts and a T-shirt.

where will you be needing these leathers??? S.Western state in April perhaps???

Well, I was thinking of going to NM, but they went and made it all frickin' complicated this year. So no, it's more just hoping to find a decent set of skins for the occasional times I want to go fast around here, and maybe for the occasional "add-on" DH races I enter like the Texas Sizzler.

[telecaster]

JBH,

If you're just looking for "protection" check out the textile jackets like Pauliwog wears...
much cheaper, cooler and easier to do any "in home maintainence jobs" on........

I'm going to NM, if for nothing else, just to see if I can hit the lips of that new skatepark.

Hope all is well,

Tod

[nsc1120]

I just got my new leathers in today and they fit me much better than my last pair. Dont really know what size they are because they have no size tags, just a tag that says the manufacturer which is GiMoto of italy. they are probably a 36 or 38 if I had to guess though. only problem is the butt is wicked big, but that seems to be a problem in a lot of leathers that I've seen. also they are the older style of leathers with barely any extra padding which I like better, plus they came with a spine protector so thats cool.

Im 5'8 and 115-120 so I think these are the best Im gonna get without getting some custom done.

[Zacho]

Im 6'1 and 185 pounds and a size 46US fits me good.

EDIT: I have very muscular legs and calves but my upper body isnt very big. the jacket is a little loose on me