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Last Changed
04/23/2011 04:46 PM

 
 

Personal Stats

I am a big fellow and finding gear that fits has always been and continues to be a challenge.  Here is a quick run down of my build:

6'3", 300 lbs
34" inseam, 46" waist, 52" chest, 34" sleeves
Extremely wide shoulders
Round/Earth shaped head with large jaw
Wide hands with average length fingers for my height

 

My Gear Reviews
Below is a list of gear that I currently wear and use.
< Jackets - Pants - Helmets - Gloves - Rain Gear - Other >

More Reviews from other Riders

Jackets

Make: Belstaff
Model:
Discovery
Available
Sizes: Mens XS-4XL (4XL Purchased)
Custom Alterations:
None
Comments:
I wear a summer mesh jacket most of the time but early or late in the season I have been wanting a nice quality 3/4 jacket. Previously I have tried several jackets from Joe Rocket, Rev'It and Olympia none of which fit particularly well. So when I ran across this jacket at a great price, I jumped on it. Turns out to be a really nice jacket and a good fit. It is probably a bit shorter in the torso than I would like, but it isn't so short that I wouldn't use it unlike the Olympia gear. The sleeves are long actually and fit me very well so if you are big and short armed, I would avoid this jacket.  Past that the build quality of the jacket is probably the best I have ever owned. My mom was a seamstress and taught me well so I know good stitching when I see it and this has it. The armor is soft, light and thin which is comfy but not sure how impact resistant it is. However, the material quality and thickness offset much of that. If I were to go down, I would probably pick this jacket out of all my jackets short of my Custom Z leather jacket which is a tank but very stiff. I do have a couple nitpicks. First it starts with a snug neck area which like many jackets for the big guy are sometimes too snug. This jacket is snug with a purpose I believe. Ultimately its purpose is to keep out the weather which it will do. It isn't so tight I can't close it, but I know it is there when it is closed. Not a big deal really. The next one could be a deal killer for some. The arms are not adjustable so you cannot snug the armor right up to you. I personally don't mind, but for safety purposes it is often preferable to get the armor right next to the body to help absorb and disperse impact force. Those aside, this is a quality jacket and I am very impressed with it. I am still interested in trying out the new Kili jacket, but for now this is my go to jacket when the weather turns foul.

Make: Cortech
Model:
GX Air Series 2 Jacket
Available Sizes:
Mens XS-4XL and up to 3XL tall (3XL Tall Purchased)
Custom Alterations:
None
Comments:
I have been looking for my summer riding replacement of my Joe Rocket Phoenix for the last five years or so. I like the jacket, but really wanted something with better protection in the impact zones, fit a tall big guy and wasn't all black. Well I found it. The Cortech is just about a perfect summer jacket for the tall big man. It is a nice mesh jacket with leather in the impact areas (elbow, shoulder, back) but still is mostly mesh. The collar is super comfy and actually closes around this 21" neck of mine. Color options in the tall sizes are few but they offer a silver which is miles better than black in the sun IMO. I did find the liners too short and tight around the arms, but I never use the liners on these jackets and prefer to use a rain jacket during rain and a light windproof thinsulate when it gets cold at night. The cuffs work great and allow ample room for a long glove. Anyway, fit is good, quality job on the machine sewing and I have no reason to think this jacket won't hold up as well as the Phoenix has.

Make: FirstGear
Model: Kilimanjaro 5.0
Available Sizes:
Mens XS-4XL and up to 2XL tall (2XL Tall Purchased)
Custom Alterations:
None
Comments:
Normally I wear a 3XL Tall which can be hard to find, but others have sworn it is a size larger at least in tall. I would say the jacket certainly is near 3XL and without the liner certainly is a 3XL. I find it a tad snug but usable with the liner and perfect removed. So make sure you trythis jacket on or buy from a place with a good return policy. In sub 80s, I currently wear a 4XL Belstaff Discovery Jacket which is almost perfect for me. By comparison the Discovery is bulky without the liner and there are no cinch spots to keep the armor from floating around unlike the Kili. The Kili also has a lighter feel to it and the fabric seems more supple. The armor is lighter, but I have no doubt it would protect impact areas as well as the Discovery. Length is perfect for me and I suspect good for anyone over 6' with longer arms and torso. You can read other in depth reviews on the functionality of the jacket, but this being a jacket that has been around for a long time and through several revisions I would say it shows. Great jacket, great value and good fit if you pick the right one and not go by the size label. I will probably stay with the Discovery during the cold winter months, use the Kili spring and fall and opt for a Cortech mesh jacket here in Atlanta during the hottest months. Some people probably want a single jacket for all seasons and I would actually consider this jacket for just such duty.

Make: Joe Rocket
Model: Ballistic 7.0 Jacket
Available Sizes: S-5XL and to 3XL Tall (4XL Purchased)
Custom Alterations: None
Comments: I first tried the 3XL Tall but found it binding under the arms.  This was a surprise since the Phoenix jacket is such a good fit.  This jacket is a great fit right till the neck.  For some reason they think people that buy a jacket this big have small necks.  I cannot zip the jacket all the way up which makes it not that useful in wet conditions.  Still very nice jacket but because of the neck not waterproof at least for me.

Make: Joe Rocket
Model: Phoenix 4.0 Jacket
Available Sizes: S-5XL and to 3XL Tall (3XL Tall Purchased)
Custom Alterations: None
Comments: I sometimes think it should be called Big OR Tall.  This jacket is an off the shelf Big AND Tall jacket.  It has great length in the arms, plenty of room for my belly and doesn't constrict my shoulders.  Pockets for CE armor, very comfortable mesh and I have been down in this jacket and it protected me well.

Make: Olympia
Model:
Bushwacker Jacket
Available Sizes:
Mens S-4XL (4XL Purchased)
Custom Alterations:
None
Comments:
I am a big fan of the build quality of Olympia gear. Unfortunately they don't seem to work very well for long armed or long torso people. This jacket falls into that category for me. It has enough girth, but the height of this 3/4 jacket is more like a 5/8 jacket. The end of the jacket barely makes it to my hips and the elastic that is designed to go around the mid-section of your body is several inches above my belly button. Shame as the jacket seems like a quality jacket and their aren't many mesh 3/4 jackets around. Alas the search continues for a more protective replacement to the Joe Rocket Phoenix3XL Tall. This jacket does seem to run a size small at least with the 4XL. I would consider the 4XL a 3XL in other garments so if you are on the border of sizes I would try one size up.

Make: Olympia
Model: Mens Recon 2 Air Jacket
Available Sizes:
S-4XL (4XL Purchased)
Custom Alterations:
None
Comments:
This jacket is nearly perfect. The design is excellent and quality is incredible especially for the price. The styling looks good to me and I love the fact that it comes in a gray-ish color rather than black which sucks up heat here in Atlanta. The problem I have with the jacket is the same problem I have with a lot of these kind of jackets, the torso is too short. It needs another 1-2" of material to replace my Joe Rocket Phoenix jacket.

Make: Road Gear
Model: AirTec Mesh Jacket
Available Sizes:
40-52 (52 Purchased)
Custom Alterations: None
Comments:
This is a good jacket and most will be happy with it. The styling is clean, jacket is comfortable and it features pretty much everything you need in a good mesh jacket. In the end, I found the jacket to simply be a bit short for me and really offered no real advantages over my long favorite Phoenix jacket.

Make: Z Custom
Model: Carbon Fiber Jacket
Available Sizes: Only Custom Sizes
Custom Alterations: Completely Custom
Comments: If you have the cash for this jacket, I am a big fan.  It is completely customized for your body and it uses the high grade materials.  Being completely customized for the person wearing simply means everything works.  The only two downsides to this jacket are cost and weight but that weight feels like it will protect more.  I have been down in this jacket and it was a nasty one.  Other than scuffing the jacket it held up incredibly well.

Pants

Make: Sliders
Model: Kevlar Cargo 2.0 Riding Pants
Available Sizes: 30-44 Waist by 30-36 Inseam (42w x 34i Purchased)
Custom Alterations: None
Comments: Prior to these pants I wore Draggin Jeans. They are fine, but not really the "look" I like nor are they particularly comfy. They work and I prefer them to pull overs. Based on another review, I decided to try these and I am glad I did. These pants are perfect for me. Plenty of room in the leg area for armor if you choose, more Kevlar than Draggin Jeans and the crotch area has a nice relaxed fit. Actually, I sit around in these after a ride sometimes where the other pants would be taken off for something more comfy ASAP. I like where these come up on my waist but they do ride low compared to normal pants although I think they are probably about the same place as the Draggin Jeans. The other very minor nitpick I have with these pants is they should have more belt loops. Not a big deal, but they do seem to be a couple shy of a standard pair of pants. I am going back for more probably two more.
 

Helmets

Make: HJC
Model: CL-SP Helmet
Available Sizes: S-3XL (3XL Purchased)
Custom Alterations: None
Comments: This helmet fits fairly well, but I find it heavy and the weight rides high on my head.  After a few hours in it, I find it more uncomfortable which is odd at least for me.

Make: Arai
Model: Quantum 2 Helmet
Available Sizes: S-2XL (2XL Purchased)
Custom Alterations: None
Comments: This helmet fits about as good as it gets for me.  The weight is great and feels very balanced.  Also, I have a huge jaw line that makes most helmets virtually impossible to wear but this one has ample room in that area.  This helmet is my daily driver.

Make: GMax
Model: 68S SPC Helmet
Available Sizes: S-3XL (3XL Purchased)
Custom Alterations: None
Comments: This helmet is tight fit going on and feels pretty good even though smaller than an Arai.  I do have pressure on my forehead with this helmet which has kept me from enjoying it.  My face also sits very close to the front of the helmet but nothing that makes me feel uncomfortable.  The features to price on this helmet make it a winner if it fits your noggin.  I haven't given up on it yet.

Gloves

Make: AlpineStars
Model: S-MX 6 Gloves
Available Sizes: S-3XL (3XL Purchased)
Custom Alterations: None
Comments: These gloves are manna from heaven in the summer.  My hands usually end up busting the stitches out of most other gloves but these are down right roomy.  They work great in cool to hot weather and have held up incredibly well.  One of the few pieces of gear I have zero complaints with.  Well it would be nice to have a silver color to reflect some of that hot sun in the summers but very minor nitpick.

Make: Cortech
Model: GX Air 2 Gloves
Available Sizes: Mens XS-3XL (3XL Purchased)
Custom Alterations: None
Comments: If you have large hands or long fingers, avoid these gloves. I bought them site unseen after trying out the Scarab gloves, but quickly found out these didn't fit worth a hoot. They are small and have stubby fingers like so many cheap gloves made out there. For smaller hands these may be fine gloves, but if you have smaller hands you probably aren't reading this.

Make: Cortech
Model: Scarab Winter Gloves
Available Sizes: Mens XS-4XL (4XL Purchased)
Custom Alterations: None
Comments: I am not a big cold weather rider especially when we usually get a few days of warmer weather through Atlanta even in the winter months. However, I do ride from time to time in the cold and decided to try a nice set of cold weather gloves. I tried these on at a local shop and found that they fit a large hand with semi-long fingers well. It is comfortable and comes with a reasonably sized cuff. I don't find many gloves that fit me well since they are usually too small around the hand or have short fingers. This glove has ample room and the micro fleece is very comfy. I have only ridden in them three times, but so far so good. Virtually no break in time is required.

Make: Road Gear
Model: CarbonMaxx Gloves
Available Sizes: XS-XXXL (XXXL Purchased)
Custom Alterations: None
Comments: Finally a glove that fits around my big hand the way it is supposed to. There are so few gloves out there for big hands and slightly long fingers that are cut correctly. The area between the thumb and forefinger is a generous cut unlike many other gloves I have tried. Another bonus to the glove is that it is a "shorty" style but still has plenty of protection in the wrist area. I would call it a 3/4 glove since it is more than the typical wrist cut but less than a full length. All-in-all my new summer riding glove.

Rain Gear

Make: First Gear
Model: Sierra Rain Jacket
Available Sizes: S-5XL (4XL Purchased)
Custom Alterations: None
Comments: I bought this jacket to carry along with me on long distance rides.  I wanted something I could put on quickly and would fit over my other gear.  The jacket works for its purpose and has held up in several heavy rain riding sessions.  My only real complaints are that it is bulky when you aren't wearing it eating up precious cargo space and it doesn't breathe.

Make: First Gear
Model: Sierra Rain Pants
Available Sizes: S-5XL (4XL Purchased)
Custom Alterations: None
Comments: I bought these pants to carry along with me on long distance rides.  I wanted something I could put on quickly and would fit over my other gear.  These pants work their intended purpose and has held up in several heavy rain riding sessions.  My only real complaints are that it is bulky when you aren't wearing it eating up precious cargo space and it doesn't breathe.

Make: Frogg Toggs
Model: Leep Frogg Rain Suit
Available Sizes: S-3XL (3XL Purchased)
Custom Alterations: None
Comments: This is now my default wet weather riding suit.  It packs well, doesn't balloon up like other light weight rain gear and it breathes bought this jacket to carry along with me on long distance rides.  I wanted something I could put on quickly and would fit over my other gear.  It has held up very well but the material still feels wimpy compared to other rain suits.  I don't expect this to have the life of other heavy duty jackets, but I feel it is worth it.  I seriously doubt this will survive in a crash, but I don't think that is really a consideration for me either.

Other

Make: Edge Eyeware
Model: Kazbek Sunglasses
Available Sizes:
Normal and XL (XL Purchased)
Custom Alterations:
None
Comments:
I have a very wide head which make items like sunglasses and helmets a chore to buy so when I find something that works pretty well I get exceptionally excited. This is such a product. The glasses look good, come in a lot of options, have the safety features I consider requirements and are extremely comfy for wide heads. The best part is you can find them under $15 online. If you are looking for some good quality sunglasses for your huge cranium, give these a try.
 

 
 
 
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