Choosing and sizing sports clothing.

Our major offerings involves the supply of technical sports clothing, with, at the moment, a strong emphasis on cycling and rock climbing. The following information is however appropriate to all technical sports clothing.

Overview

Staying cool or warm whilst actively involved in a sporting activity is a question of wearing the correct type of clothing. Many think that less heat - more clothes is the answer. Yet the wrong clothing is often counterproductive in your quest for comfort.

Below we explain much of what you need to know regarding the three layers of clothing that are designed to keep you warm or cool.

Layering

The secret to warmth, or coolness, is layering and the maximum warmth is gained if you use the three layers as described below.

Even in the Summer, and whilst racing, I personally would always wear two layers; a wicking base layer and a top. This combination also had the benefit of providing some "slide" if you happen to fall off your bike.

Wicking base layers

These are the "next to the skin layers" which play a major part in your comfort. They keep your skin dry and free from perspiration. To do this they have to be made of fabrics that "wick" - pull moisture away from your skin by capillary action so that it can evaporate on the outside of the fabric or pass through other layers. This action is usually referred to as breathability. Base layers can also provide insulation.

Sometimes, whilst wearing a base layer, you will notice that the garment appears wet, yet your skin is dry. The item is therefore working correctly but maybe question your second layer which may not be wicking the moisture away as it should.

Insulating mid layers

The traditional role of mid layers is to keep us warm by trapping our own heat and using it for insulation. Fleece is an effective insulator with a high warmth to weight ratio. Different thickness of fleece provide different levels of insulation with thicker being warmer. By using fleece with different characteristics - stretch, windproofing, wicking and water resistance you can create a micro climate around your body to suit every type of sporting activity.

Weatherproof shell layers

This layer defends us from the elements allowing the other layers to work effectively. These garments provide the ideal balance of weatherproofing and breathability, they are also exceptionally durable and often totally windproof and/or waterproof.

These are the sports garments that will cost anything from £20 to £290 and the more you pay, usually, the more comfortable and effective the garment is.

We constantly search out garments that fit the criteria for hardworking or leisure sports people and most of the items we list have been tested or are owned personally by us.

Breathability

This term is probably the most misunderstood word where technical clothing is concerned. Certainly a waterproof, breathable jacket costing £200 is likely to be more effective that one costing £50. However, just because you may be damp underneath the garment doesn't mean the garment isn't being effective.

Styling

Many people forget about this important aspect of sports clothing and will therefore complain that items are too big or too small when infact they are not. The fact is they will be the correct size but the wearer has not borne in mind the purpose, therefore the styling, of the item. For example an item intended to be windproof is usually also going to be a snug to the body fit, not skin tight but certainly not flapping everywhere.

Trying on sports clothing

People also need to bear in mind when trying items on what was probably intended to be worn underneath. For example a waterproof jacket for winter use, which would normally be worn with at least two layers of reasonable thickness, should not be tried on with an everyday shirt.

Finally, a special note about sizing based on our experiences.

"I always take a medium, therefore.......". Sorry folks, doesn't always work that way. What is medium?

To one manufacturer we deal with (Karrimorebike) a medium waist is 35.5", whereas from another, Polaris, it is 31". To manufacturers of everday clothes medium can be anywhere between 30" and 34".

You should also be very aware, as many are, that an item which is marked as Large and let's assume large is a chest size of 41". If you actually measure from arm pit to arm pit the measurement would possibly equate to 44" or higher. This apparent variation is due to the styling and purpose of the item in question (see above) and will be subject to manufacturers specifications e.g. if it is intended as a tight fit ap to ap will be closer to 41", if designed to be relaxed, it will be closer to 44" or even higher.

It is usually very apparent as to whether items are intended as tight fitting or relaxed e.g. the Freestyle Lightweight Waterproof Cape, which is actually a full zipped jacket, is intended to be very relaxed. Often it says so on the item and if it is known that the item does "come up large or small" we will usually state this on the item.

We always supply sizing information on our items which is, on 99% of occassions, based upon the manufacturers specifications. If they have been physically measured, this is clearly stated. The manufacturers sizing will always take into consideration styling and purpose as mentioned above.

We therefore recommend that if you are new to sports clothing you first measure yourself and then check the sizing of the item. Also bear in mind the purpose and use of the garment AND your fit preferences.