A friend is offering me a great deal on a two piece Alpinestars racing suit. The pants fit perfect, but the jacket is about two sizes too big. It's a 46, I wear a 42.
I've noticed looking around at videos that some guys have leathers that appear VERY tight and form fitting.
Is there a safety reason for this or is it trying to be more aerodynamic?
Am I dooming myself to a horrible fate by wearing a jacket that's too big?
It matters. Buy gear that fits properly.
The number one (potential) problem you'd encounter (with wearing a jacket that's two size too big) is that when falling down, the impact WILL shift the armor position, so they won't be in a place where it's supposed to be .(therefore, it will not protect your body. ) Put the jacket on, grab the elbow/forearm pad and try to move it around. With two size too big jacket, you can probably rotate the sleeve around your arm ...
Problem number two would be the friction between your body (skin) and the liner of the suits. (you will end up sliding a little bit inside of the suits when you fall.)
Problem number three: It will flap around your body.
You want the suit to be tight and snug without being restrictive. Wearing two size larger leather suits defeats the purpose of the leather suits.
BTW, 2-piece suits and zipped together pants & jacket are two different things ...
Quote from: S21FOLGORE on April 03, 2013, 04:04:11 AM
The number one (potential) problem you'd encounter (with wearing a jacket that's two size too big) is that when falling down, the impact WILL shift the armor position, so they won't be in a place where it's supposed to be .(therefore, it will not protect your body. )
That ^^^ There is the biggy.
Some folks will strip the armor from a mis-fitting jacket and go with a compression top or similar
(Like http://www.forcefieldbodyarmour.com/product/pro-shirt/2407 (http://www.forcefieldbodyarmour.com/product/pro-shirt/2407))
To ensure that the impact absorbing armor stays where it's needed.
Really, it's not a bad policy to have the armor riding in a layer that's more directly attached to you vs your outer most, abrasion resistant layer. But, it is A LOT more IZ_ to have all those layers and things to put on. So a well fit jacket is a good compromise.