Gear for us robust types

Foxster

Foxster

Section Hiker
Just a whinge I suppose but it does annoy me as a big bloke (6'2", 50" chest, 40" waist) that the majority of decent outdoor clothing seems to be made for boys and elves.

I go to a shop and head straight to the back of each hanger hoping for something in XXL - but nope. I go online and run through the colour options hoping bigger than M will be available - nope again, unless I want it in Blushing Peach.

Surely there's a market to sell clothes to us blessed to be impressively built?
 
Rog Tallbloke

Rog Tallbloke

Thru Hiker
I'm 6'7" but only a 46" chest size. Stuff being too short in the body or arms is my usual hassle. Large sizes of outdoor gear turn up in TKmax quite often, and at good prices because there's usually a minor mark or stitching fault. Or it's just end of line less popular kit.
 
cathyjc

cathyjc

Thru Hiker
Foxster said:
Just a whinge I suppose but it does annoy me as a big bloke (6'2", 50" chest, 40" waist) that the majority of decent outdoor clothing seems to be made for boys and elves.
Sounds sam as hubby

I go to a shop and head straight to the back of each hanger hoping for something in XXL - but nope. I go online and run through the colour options hoping bigger than M will be available - nope again, unless I want it in Blushing Peach.

Surely there's a market to sell clothes to us blessed to be impressively built?
Click to expand...

Seems the same as my hubby.
He likes his cycling - if you thought hiking gear was a problem then you've not tried cycling stuff. Think he needs 3XL and 4XL in cycling tops.
He uses a retailer - "Fat Lad at the Back" :D. Might be some gear that would 'cross over' ??
 
Odd Man

Odd Man

Thru Hiker
cathyjc said:
Seems the same as my hubby.
He likes his cycling - if you thought hiking gear was a problem then you've not tried cycling stuff. Think he needs 3XL and 4XL in cycling tops.
He uses a retailer - "Fat Lad at the Back" :D. Might be some gear that would 'cross over' ??
Click to expand...

I found that out as well, but I think it's because most cycling tops are now made in China. Ebay and Amazon are full of inexpensive Chinese cycling and outdoor clothing all being 2 sizes smaller than UK sizes.
 
Odd Man

Odd Man

Thru Hiker
Foxster said:
Just a whinge I suppose but it does annoy me as a big bloke (6'2", 50" chest, 40" waist) that the majority of decent outdoor clothing seems to be made for boys and elves.

I go to a shop and head straight to the back of each hanger hoping for something in XXL - but nope. I go online and run through the colour options hoping bigger than M will be available - nope again, unless I want it in Blushing Peach.

Surely there's a market to sell clothes to us blessed to be impressively built?
Click to expand...

I tend to buy a lot of my clothes from USA for this very reason. Most US brands are sized looser and in USA availability of larger sizes is much better compared to UK, even if the same brand is sold here. Amazon US, REI etc.

I use my Amazon tactic for UK and US Amazon. I find the product I like in my size, put in the basket and then "save it for later". After this every time I got to my Amazon basket, it gives me an update of prices increased/decreased in the basket and I just wait for the price to drop.

EE's clothing is quite large in sizing, so if you're after what they have, it's a good (but expensive) option. I have a puffy, windshirt, rain jacket and a quilt from them.

Columbia is another, and their UK site seems have sales regularly, although best place to buy is Amazon US where I've picked up some $80 kit for $20.
 
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Rog Tallbloke

Rog Tallbloke

Thru Hiker
EE gets a big recommend from me. Great people to deal with. I got Tim Marshall to make his first ever down quilt for me with 10oz of 900fp down I sent him.
 
Charlie83

Charlie83

Thru Hiker
Wife has the same drama.

6.2 wifie struggles big time, trousers, the montane long (if found) or fjallraven are ok options, but other than that, nothing else even close to fitting.

Tops, rab sometimes fit, sleeve length on the majority tends to lean towards dwarf fit
 
Foxster

Foxster

Section Hiker
One more thought...

How come the models for outdoor gear always have a flat belly? Nearly all the blokes I know go down across the chest and then out a few inches around the belly.

What's the point in selling gear that fits models when they're not the target customers?

Or do I only know flabby b'stards?
 
Enzo

Enzo

Thru Hiker
Thats how advertising works, they sell a product we hope will deliver the status/life style we aspire to.
It's amazing we keep thinking it'll work! Hedonic treadmill and all that!
 
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