So I have found my self with yet another conundrum..
I bought a jacket years ago to fit the fatter me. I have lost weight and am in need of a Jacket.
I am 6.2 225 (a very svelte 225. :laugh: ) I keed.
any rate, has anyone had luck with the on line sizing guides? Can they be trusted as accurate? or is it just common sense and good practice to buy your gear in person and have tried it on.
I've been fooled before with sizing guides. I used to be a size 32 and one time I bought a pair of snowboard pants that said fits waist size 30-32 so I figured I'd get a nice snug fit...nope. The damn thing must have been 2-3 inches bigger because I couldn't keep it up even after I pulled the velcro waist tabs to max. Sometimes it even depends on the model of pants even if they are the same cut, like I bought 2 Burton pants that both were Sig Fit but were different models. One fit perfectly, the other one had me sucking in my gut even though they were both Small.
Find a brand that fits you and stick with it. I once bought some 686 pants in size Small and they were the absolutely fucking perfect freaking fit. Perfect waist, and perfect inseam. I won't buy any other pair of pants except 686 and I know that no matter what online store I buy them from I can safely purchase a size Small and have it fit. Same with boots, I bought a pair of Thirty Two and they fit perfectly with no adjustments needed. Will continue buying from them for my boots.
It saves on hassle/returns when you purchase from a brand that you know will work for you. If you must, purchase from places like Dogfunk where you can order like 3 different sizes of jacket if you want then return the 2 that didn't fit and keep the one that does. Brick and Mortar stores just can't carry the metric shit ton of gear that a place like Dogfunk can which just has giant warehouses filled to the brim.
Find a brand that fits you and stick with it. I once bought some 686 pants in size Small and they were the absolutely fucking perfect freaking fit. Perfect waist, and perfect inseam. I won't buy any other pair of pants except 686 and I know that no matter what online store I buy them from I can safely purchase a size Small and have it fit. Same with boots, I bought a pair of Thirty Two and they fit perfectly with no adjustments needed. Will continue buying from them for my boots.
It saves on hassle/returns when you purchase from a brand that you know will work for you.
I would be careful about this. Even the same brand can fit dramatically differently between seasons and models (and even between seasons for the same model). Burton AK gear was notorious for this, but there are many other examples.
Even more so the case for boots.
I suspect it is a conspiracy by manufacturers to make people go to stores - and buy more stuff while they are there :laugh:
EDIT: And this whole thread is in the wrong section of the forum...
I was in your same predicament when I started riding 2+ years ago, had just lost 120 lb. ( from 315 to 195!) Now, I find myself in the reverse situation. Gained back 30-35 lb. this last year. Had to size up when buying a new pair of Burton SB pants. Waist is fine, but because its a mid fit, godam seat n thighs are so snug, I'm not sure I could wear a base layer underneath.
(....I have been told "it makes my Ass look good!") :dunno:
Until you settle into a steady weight, you r probably better off trying stuff on. Once you find a brand with a sizing system that worksfor you, then u should be alright ordering online. ...BTW, I decided to keep the tighties. Figure it will help motivate me to drop some of what I've gained back!
(...if that doesn't work, I guess this creepy Ol' Fart will be shakin' his tight ass booty all over S.E. MI. This season!) lol!
I didn't loose weight but I did find certain brands 'cuts' just didn't work for my body. I was a LT but it would be super tight in the chest or not fit in the shoulders. I found it best to try on gear in person.
Same with snowboard pants. I have big quads and certain brands just didn't work out so well. Glad I didn't order on line
I'm pretty close to the same size as you. I'm 6'3" and I'm usually around 205-210 these days. I wear 34-36 inch waist usually with a 34 inch inseam in most pants. I was up around where you are at one time and still fit mostly the same... anyway, I tried on a bunch of pairs of pants that I liked the style of till I finally tried on a pair of 686 and they fit perfect. They all were either way too tight or way too loose or too long, or just SOMETHIN' that made them way off. Anyway, I settled on an XL and they fit me perfectly. 686 is a slightly different fit from item to item depending on the specific fit the item was intended but I've also bought another pair of pants and a jacket both in XL from 686 and they were both perfect fits. I did buy their toolbelt in a L that was supposed to be for 34-38" waists and I'm in the second largest hole on the damn thing...
That said, I also bought another jacket (also in XL) from another brand right where I should be on their size chart that includes height and weight, and it feels a little big for my preferences. I'm considering ordering another in L to compare and returning one.
So, really sometimes it comes down to the kind of fit the manufacturer had in mind when dealing with size charts. Best is to order from somewhere with good policies and get two sizes if you're really not sure. Sounds like an XL 686 will fit you well though... and even though it's not high tech like Goretex, their 15k pants will do rad even in the soaking wet of the NW. Never been wet yet.
Guilty of doing it But holy hell my local shop sells items 2 years old for full price! I bought a jacket that was 2 seasons old online for $60. I walk in to the local shop to pick up some wax and I see my jacket sitting on the rack, I was like OH LOOK my jacket cool. Let me just check how much they were selling it here, if it's cheaper maybe I'll return the one I bought. Check price tag, still $189.89! :icon_scratch: For those prices I'd rather take my chances online and buy 2 different sizes and then return the one back with the prepaid shipping label. All the showroom you want in the privacy of your own home with the cost of a $6.99 return label.
I hear ya on supporting local businesses but 60 vs 189...
It's important to support the local shops but sometimes it just doesn't make a lick of sense.
I've bought a couple boards retail from shops in Vancouver this past season when the deals were awesome and it made sense, along with my boots and some bindings. My Banana Magic was actually cheaper in February than pretty much all places online at the time so I bought it. But most of my clothing for riding is from online now. The pants I bought in my first post were $350 + the share for the guvvy last December at Board. They were around $200 at most US retailers during the same period. Then this summer most places online had them down to around $110 so I bought another almost the same but without insulation. I had to pick them up in Blaine and pay a little tax, but - sometimes, it's just a no brainer.
Im all in...686 it is! Their 3in1 4in1 systems seem perfect from a versatility standpoint.
destroy, should I ever make it to BC I owe you a beer. (assuming you drink beer):bowdown:
thanks again!
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