Plus Size Cycling Clothing: Jerseys and Bibs Up to 7XL, and How to Choose
Plus size cycling clothing should sit close to your body without pinching. At Online Cycling Gear, our jerseys, bib shorts, cycling shorts and bib tights run from XXS to 7XL in men's and women's cuts. Measure your chest and stomach, size from the larger number, and size up if you fall between two sizes.
In short
- Our jerseys, bibs, shorts and bib tights come in XXS to 7XL.
- Same designs and the same fabric in every size.
- Stomach larger than your chest? Size from the stomach.
- Our kit runs small, so size up if you are between sizes.
Where can you find plus size cycling clothing that fits?
Right here, in the same range as everyone else. We do not keep a separate plus size section, because the larger sizes are part of every design. Pick a jersey you like, open its size list, and you will usually find 4XL, 5XL, 6XL and 7XL next to S and M.
Take the Men's Must Be Bananas Short Sleeve Cycling Jersey. Its page lists every size from XXS to 7XL, with three back pockets, cooling mesh side panels and a full-length hidden zip. The matching Men's Must Be Bananas Gel Padded Cycling Bib covers the same range, and so does the Men's Must Be Bananas 2 Piece Cycling Kit.
Women's kit works the same way. The Women's Tie Dye Short Sleeve Cycling Jersey is cut for the women's body and, in the words of its product page, comes "in all sizes from extra small to the larger plus sizes". Browse the full ranges in men's cycling jerseys, women's cycling jerseys and cycling bibs.
People search for this kit under plenty of names: plus size, big and tall, Clydesdale. In our store it is all one range, and every item is made to order in the size you choose.
How should plus size cycling clothing fit?
Snug, with no flapping fabric and nothing digging in. That rule is the same at XXS and at 7XL. A cycling jersey that sits close keeps sweat moving away from your skin and does not catch the wind, while a loose one rides up and billows on a descent.
| Check | Jersey | Bib shorts |
|---|---|---|
| Standing | Zip lies flat, no pulling across the chest or stomach | Straps lie flat on the shoulders without pressing |
| On the bike | Hem still covers your lower back when you lean forward | Chamois sits where you sit, no bunching |
| Edges | Sleeves end mid upper arm without squeezing | Leg grippers hold without rolling or cutting in |
| Too small if | Fabric pulls into lines from the zip | Straps drag the shorts up when you stand |
The leg grippers matter more than most people expect. Our Pro-Band bibs use 45 mm wide silicone power bands, which the product pages say are there "to avoid pinching and shifting on long rides" and make the bibs "perfect for all leg sizes". A narrow elastic band is what usually leaves a mark on a strong thigh.
At the waist, a jersey's silicone gripper keeps the hem from creeping up. If you prefer the hem free, "Remove Elastic Gripper" is one of the customization options, and the Women's Ride Free Sunset Short Sleeve Cycling Jersey lets you choose with or without it from the start. Our cycling jersey fit guide goes through each fit check in more detail.
How do you find your size in plus size cycling kit?
Measure, then read the chart for the exact garment you are buying. Use a soft tape over thin clothing and note your chest, stomach and hips. Our sizing charts have separate men's and women's charts for short sleeve jerseys, long sleeve jerseys, bib shorts and bib tights.
The chart page gives two rules worth keeping. If your stomach measurement is larger than your chest, use the stomach measurement. If you land between two sizes, choose the larger one. Our kit has a club fit cut and runs small, so a size up is usually the right call.
Sizing a top and a bottom separately often gives a better fit, because many riders take a different size in each. Kits come in one size for both pieces, so if your numbers point to two sizes, buy the jersey and the bibs as separate items. Non-customized items come with 60-day store-credit returns if the fit is wrong, as our returns policy explains. Customized orders are final.
Are bib shorts or cycling shorts better for plus size riders?
Both work, and the choice is personal. Bib shorts hold the chamois in place with shoulder straps, so there is no waistband at all. Plenty of riders find that more comfortable when they lean forward on the bike, and that is our usual suggestion for longer rides. Cycling shorts are easier to take on and off, which is handy on a café stop.
Our men's options in every size up to 7XL include the Men's Plain Color Pro-Band Gel Padded Cycling Bib and the Men's Pro-Band Classic Plain Color Gel Padded Cycling Shorts. For women there are the Women's Pro-Band Classic Plain Color Gel Padded Cycling Bib and the Women's Plain Color Pro-Band Gel Padded Cycling Shorts. All four have a 9D contoured silicone gel chamois, the 45 mm grippers and an 80% polyester, 20% Lycra fabric with low profile stitching.
Found a design you like in the wrong style? "Change Bibs to Shorts" and "Change Shorts to Bibs" are both in the customization options. Our guide to bib shorts vs cycling shorts covers the rest of that choice.
What should plus size riders wear for fall rides?
Fall mornings get cold fast, and daylight saving ends on 1 November, so many rides start in the chill. Long sleeves and bib tights come in the same XXS to 7XL range as summer kit. The Men's OCG Bold Gel Padded Cycling Bib-Tights come without fleece by default, and you can add thermal fleece through the customization options. The Women's Plain Color Gel Padded Cycling Bib-Tights are cut for the women's body, with silicone ankle grippers and zips at the leg base.
Up top, a short sleeve jersey with arm warmers covers a morning that warms up by lunch. The rider above wears the Men's Ohio US State Flag Short Sleeve Cycling Jersey, one of our state designs, and that one also goes to 7XL. Our what to wear cycling by temperature guide shows which layers suit each band of °F.
Every item is made to order, so order a few weeks before you want to ride in it. Free shipping applies on orders over $125.
Plus size picks, XXS to 7XL
Men's Must Be Bananas Short Sleeve Cycling Jersey
$54.99$69.99
Women's Tie Dye Short Sleeve Cycling Jersey
$54.99$69.99
Men's Plain Color Pro-Band Gel Padded Cycling Bib
$63.99$74.99
Women's Plain Color Gel Padded Cycling Bib-Tights
$69.99$81.99
Frequently asked questions
What sizes does Online Cycling Gear make?
Our jerseys, bib shorts, cycling shorts and bib tights are listed from XXS to 7XL on their product pages, in men's and women's cuts. Check the size list on the page of the item you want.
Do plus size cycling jerseys run small?
Ours run small at every size, because they have a club fit cut. Size up if you are between sizes, and use your stomach measurement if it is larger than your chest.
Do you have tall sizes?
Our product pages list one length per size, with no separate tall range. Check the chart for the garment you want before you choose.
Can I buy a jersey and bibs in different sizes?
Yes. Kits come in one size for both pieces, so buy the jersey and the bibs as separate items when your top and bottom sizes differ.
Are bib shorts more comfortable than cycling shorts for bigger riders?
Many riders find bibs more comfortable because there is no waistband, and the straps keep the chamois in place. Shorts are quicker to take off. Both come in sizes up to 7XL.
