Any brands to look at that aren't sized in the middle for twigs? Looking at sizing charts I'd end up in a suit that pools around my ankles if I get one that is big enough. I'm not a big guy by any means, but I'm not in my 20's anymore either. Who makes a more generous cut?
sergio
HalfDork
6/19/22 12:40 p.m.
When I ran off road we used surplus military flight suits. They are nomex. However, I doubt any road race organizations would allow them. Some circle tracks may allow them.
If it makes you feel any better, I'm in the low 160s at the moment at 5'10" and it was still impossible to get an off the shelf suit that fits. Everything I tried on that fit right elsewhere was seemingly missing a few inches from chest to crotch, giving me quite the man-cameltoe. Gave up and just sized up, but the suit now has knee pads that are shin pads on me. I'd rather it be too big than feel like I'm in some BDSM film the entire race.
Off the shelf was way cheaper, so I got that figuring I could have a tailor take it in easily enough. Haven't had time to figure that par out though. I have a buddy or two that are on the bigger side that just went to a dealer for A stars or other popular brands and bought custom suits, they fit them great but they weren't cheap.
I went two piece for this exact reason. I am 5'-11" and 240ish lbs(oddly shaped blob) and the one piece suits no matter what i tried would never fit correctly or would be really uncomfortable. Sparco was the closest fit but my twig and berries felt like it was going in three directions at once or i felt like id rip the rear end wide open when in a seated position.
I took the Sparco sizing, went to Race Image and purchased a used Nascar truck series two piece suit in the sizes needed with the SFI stickers attached. It fits perfectly, is acceptable in Champ Car tech and is lighter than almost all of the cheaper race suits that i could have purchased for approximately the same price.
I still need to wear underwear(2 piece required nomex underwear) but it isnt bad at all since the fit is spot on. I know a few of my teammates who wear one piece suits so they dont have to wear nomex underwear but the suit is not comfortable for 2 hours stints. Id rather have to wear underwear and be fully comfortable at 2 hours than the opposite.
How much does it cost to get a suit tailored?
back in my bigger days I found that the alpinestars "knoxville" suits were pretty generous in sizing (and resonably priced). The larger sizes were taller as well so even though I'm 6' tall I probably had 4" of extra leg that I rolled up. :) They are boot cut too so you can play out all your ricky bobby dreams...
I'm 5'11" and 310 so I feel your pain. Keep an eye on Raceimage.com. They list items by chest diameter, waist diameter, and inseam and most of the suits are almost new. Figure out your waist (belly) diameter and keep an eye on stuff that size or maybe a little larger. The pit crew for most racing series have to use the same rating as the driver and some of the indycar/nascar guys are closer to the larger 'murican in proportions. I found an indycar suit a few years ago that was the right size in the waist, but was too long and a little baggy in the chest. I got some nomex thread online and my wife hemmed up the legs to match my inseam.
I borrowed a single layer XL OMP Sport suit. It was one of about 6 that fit my "build". I bought SFI underwear in my usual size to go under. 5'8, 220.