road cycling in plus sizes

Every cyclist who watches the Tour de France sees it: extremely lean, sinewy athletes. Not a gram of fat, tight physiques, and cycling apparel that fits like a second skin. A body like that is reserved for the absolute elite of cycling. For most of us, though, our bodies look different. To us, it doesn’t matter whether you’re taller, shorter, or broader. We believe everyone should be able to enjoy the most beautiful sport there is: road cycling. To make sure less lean riders can enjoy cycling too, we’ve put together five tips you can use when choosing cycling apparel in larger sizes. 

Check the size guide

Avoid disappointment by checking the size guide right away and finding out whether the clothing is available in your size. In our view, there’s nothing more frustrating than searching online for ages, finding the perfect pair of cycling shorts, and then discovering it isn’t available in the right size. Save yourself the hassle and make a shortlist of items that are available in your size. It’s also a good idea to measure yourself once, so you know your size and can keep track of things like weight loss. Interested in losing weight through road cycling? Then read our blogs Losing weight with road cycling and Nutrition tips for losing weight. In these, we explain in detail how to take your first steps toward weight loss!

Firm chamois (more weight)

This tip is the most obvious one. Since men who wear larger sizes are heavier than, for example, women, it’s important that the chamois is adapted accordingly. So when buying cycling apparel in larger sizes, make sure the chamois is extra supportive. A good chamois not only delivers more comfort, it also extends the lifespan of your cycling shorts.

Moisture management - in larger sizes

Anyone who is larger than average, and therefore needs cycling apparel in a larger size, generally sweats more than smaller people. This is because body mass increases in relation to skin surface area. As a result, your body builds up more heat, especially during road cycling. To get rid of this body heat, the body starts to perspire. That is why riders in larger sizes benefit more from cycling apparel with strong moisture management. To avoid sitting on the saddle completely soaked, you should look for cycling apparel made from lightweight fabrics. For example, look at cycling jerseys made from polyester with a breathable membrane, or cycling shorts made from spandex. Both fabrics manage and wick away moisture effectively.

Elasticity of cycling apparel

When looking for cycling apparel in larger sizes, it’s important that the fabric is elastic. Nothing is more frustrating than being restricted in your freedom of movement while riding. Elastic fabrics shape nicely around the body and let you move freely. They also help the clothing stay in place and improve aerodynamics.

Choose a sportive fit, not a race fit

Let’s be honest: unfortunately, we’ll never be as lean and explosive as the pros. That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy road cycling to the fullest. To increase comfort, we recommend choosing cycling apparel in a training/race fit if you need a larger size cycling apparel. This fit is less tight than race apparel and more focused on comfort. Take a look in our webshop for a great cycling jersey or pair of bib shorts.

Choose your plus-size cycling outfit

With these five tips in mind, we’re confident you’ll find the right cycling apparel. Still have questions or want to know more? Then get in touch with us for no-obligation advice, or explore our other blogs about road cycling.