How to size a race suit
A race suit only protects you properly if it fits. Too loose, and the armour can move away from your shoulders, elbows and knees in a slide. Too tight, and you cannot tuck in, move around the bike or breathe comfortably through a long session. This guide shows you how to measure yourself, how to read our size chart and how to check the fit when your suit arrives.
What you need
A soft tape measure, a friend to help, and the underwear or base layer you will wear under the suit. Measure in centimetres, stand straight and relaxed, and keep the tape snug but not tight.
How to measure for a race suit
- Chest – around the fullest part of your chest, under your arms and across your shoulder blades.
- Waist – around your natural waist, the narrowest part of your torso, usually just above the belly button.
- Hips – around the fullest part of your hips and seat.
- Inside leg (inseam) – from the crotch down the inside of the leg to the ankle bone.
- Sleeve length – from the top of the shoulder, over a slightly bent elbow, to the wrist.
- Height – standing straight without shoes.
For a made-to-measure suit we need more measurements, such as thigh, knee, calf and back length. Our race suit measurement form shows every point to measure.
Motorbike race suit size chart
These are the main measurements from the size chart for the Eighty8 men's motorbike racing suit. Match your chest and waist first, then check hips and inseam. The full chart is on the product page.
| EU size | 46 | 48 | 50 | 52 | 54 | 56 | 58 | 60 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK / US size | 36 | 38 | 40 | 42 | 44 | 46 | 48 | 50 |
| Chest (cm) | 91-94 | 95-98 | 99-102 | 103-106 | 107-110 | 111-114 | 115-118 | 119-122 |
| Waist (cm) | 75-78 | 79-82 | 83-86 | 87-90 | 91-94 | 95-98 | 99-102 | 103-106 |
| Hip (cm) | 89-92 | 93-96 | 97-100 | 101-104 | 105-108 | 109-112 | 113-116 | 117-120 |
| Inseam (cm) | 78 | 78.5 | 79 | 79.5 | 80 | 80.5 | 81 | 81.5 |
| Sleeve length (cm) | 61 | 62 | 63 | 64 | 65 | 66 | 67 | 68 |
If you are between two sizes
Choose by your chest and waist, because those decide how the suit closes and how it feels in a tuck. If your chest points to one size and your waist to another, or your legs and arms are longer or shorter than average for your size, a made-to-measure suit will fit better than a standard size. Send us your measurements on WhatsApp and we will recommend a size.
How a race suit should fit
- Standing up it should feel snug, and the arms and legs may feel slightly short. That is normal: the suit is pre-curved for the riding position.
- On the bike, in a full tuck, the sleeves should reach your wrists, the legs should cover the top of your boots, and the back should not pull across your shoulders.
- Armour should sit on your shoulders, elbows, hips and knees and stay there when you move.
- Leather stretches a little with use, so a new suit that feels firm will ease, but one that is loose will not tighten.
Kart suits
A kart racing suit is cut for a seated position, so it should allow you to reach the wheel without pulling at the back or shoulders. Use the size chart on the kart suit page, or ask for a custom kart suit made to your measurements.
Still not sure? Contact us and we will help you choose. Read next: one-piece vs two-piece race suits.