Right now I'm wearing a full A* leather jacket in size 48. Yeah, I'm a little on the large side but not huge. I normally wear an XL t-shirt. The jacket I currently have is snug. I don't think I have any loose areas on the jacket and that includes the hard back protector in the jacket.

Today I went to my local outfitter and tried on a few mesh jackets. It's starting to get warmer now and I need the extra air flow. I tried on an XXL A* mesh jacket and it was a bit loose. The sleeves were long and the elbow pad was out of place. The jacket fit comfortably though. I then tried on the same jacket but in XL WITH a standalone back protector. The jacket was snug but not unbearably tight. I call it "second skin". The sleeves were a bit tight on my biceps but not restricting. Everything else as stated was snug all around. Is this the way to go? I tried mocking my riding position and it got a bit tight around the stomach area but again, it wasn't uncomfortable.

Yeah I need to start working out again. 

i need to try and not gain anyweight at all this year. i am currently stuck in a leather suit size 38.... and waiting for someoen to come over and help me get out of it so i may not be the best person to give you advice. though this thing fits like a swim suit! no loose spots and not uncomfortable at all (if u ignore the whole leaher needs to give way thing)

anyway, it should be a bit more than snug when u you buy it. the leather will stretch out if you put it on and off enough. then it will be a true second skin. if you buy it as a perfect fit now, it will inevitably stretch to large for you.

how long have you been wearing the A*? it sounds like the 48 A* is a perfect fit for you.

I've been wearing my A* leather jacket since October 08. It's broken in pretty well but it still snug. I like it. I just wanted to make sure I was supposed to size mesh the same way.
[moto]

I hate the conversion between the generic S,M,L sizing and the numbered sizing. 

Here's a sizing chart from newenough.

Of course not every jacket fits the table perfectly though. You can try checking the newenough site to see if they have any fitment comments on the jacket you're looking at.

At least you're not like me. I'm a 36-38. It's hard as hell to find something that fits me correctly. All the 38s have sleeves that are too long and push off my gloves and all the 36s that I can almost never find are pretty snug, almost uncomfortably so. 

I ended up buying an A* mesh jacket that was on closeout. $1.00 was donated to this forum when I submitted the order at Newenough. I wasn't too fond of the graphic in the front but I did like the layout of the mesh. Looks very breathable.

Try an XL from 4 or 5 different makers and you will most likely see that every XL will fit differently. I am on the bigger side myself. Although European stuff is usually smaller than the American made I find Dainese very comfortable if you get even the bigger sizes. I bought a mesh jacket last year cause it was on sale and it fits nicely. It is a Teknic and is nice for when the temps are 90 degrees.

snug = good.
loose = bad.

this stuff should fit like a second skin (or maybe third skin...)

but not a first skin.

i forgot mesh means textile. textile will stretch much more initially then leather will and will be overall much more comfortable intially.\
hell i wear a small Joe rocket and it fits nicely, doenst memorize my body though. still comfy though!

I bought an alpinestar jacket, size 48 eur. last year and the problem I am having is the jacket fits perfect except for the sleeves, which are too short. I guess the best solution is to by gauntlet race gloves?

I do believe you want your Jacket and Pants to fit snug so that if you have a get off the armor will stay where it is suppose to.

If either the Jacket or Pants are loose and you have a get off , then the armor will slide around and not protect the areas that it is ment to protect.      Dolph   

Quote from: DoubleEagle on March 20, 2009, 11:17:11 PM
I do believe you want your Jacket and Pants to fit snug so that if you have a get off the armor will stay where it is suppose to.

If either the Jacket or Pants are loose and you have a get off , then the armor will slide around and not protect the areas that it is ment to protect.      Dolph   

+1 Particularly on mesh jackets. Button up/ strap down the sleeves when you try it and flop your arm around. If the pads flop around significantly they're not going to protect you in a crash.

Gear should be snug enough to keep the armor in place, but not so tight that is restricts your movement...

There should be an awkward-shaped people size. I have a sz 48 chest and 38 waist. 

Quote from: redxblack on March 21, 2009, 04:02:59 PM
There should be an awkward-shaped people size. I have a sz 48 chest and 38 waist. 

We're twins! 

I JUST got my A* jacket today that I ordered from New Enough.

Believe it or not the jacket I ordered is not snug like the one I tried. I guess it was a regular cut. The body fitment of my jacket is just right, not tight... However the arms are loose. I can move the pads around a bit.

I read the label inside and the jacket is listed as A*'s "Black Label". It's dedicated to the downtown street rider with a relaxed fit. That's what it says.