Curious how folks decide on sizing if you typically wear a different size bib than jersey…
I usually wear an XL Castelli bib and a large Castelli jersey.
Should I go with large or XL in the speed suit?
I would imagine large as I’d want it tight but not entirely sure. I have an opportunity to buy discounted without an option to return…
Thanks in advance!
depends how the fit of each is - where you have room (or not) to compromise.
one thing i’ll note, i’m normally small in everything castelli, including tri suits. the small PR suit fitted fine too, however the tight fit meant that the zip would not stay up unless i had it all the way up - if i unzipped it part way like you often do on the run then it immediately unzipped itself all the way
Castelli sizing, I am an XL jersey and a L short. I originally ordered an L for the PR Suit but exchanged it for an XL.
When the XL arrived, I took it to a local tailor and had it altered perfectly for me ($50).
I wouldn’t have gone through the extra trouble but the Castelli chamois, for me, is the most comfortable around.
I wear XL for jersey, shorts as well as PR suit (all Castelli).
Tried once L shorts, but cannot get that over my thies.
So I guess an L PR suit wouldn‘t fit you either.
Try the XL suit, but if the upper part is too loose, I‘m afraid you should look at other brands.
I’ll ask a follow up question too here. How stretchy is the suit material? The XL bibs I have worn from Castelli are not necessarily their high end stuff.
just for a bigger sample size (pun) of examples: i’m 5’9", 140 lbs, my castelli stuff:
bib shorts, size L
tri shorts, size M
tri suit, size M
jersey, size M
the medium tri shorts are tight but not too tight on me, same for the bottom half of the tri suit. fits but if I was ANY bigger I’d want L. i could probably do a L in the tri shorts, in the tri suit MAYBE a L, it would probably be more comfortable on the bottom half but the top may be too big.
When i bought the bib shorts, I had all the other items already so I figured M was my size in castelli and I got them and could barely even get them on. Returned them for a L, which fits well.
I’m probably done with castelli stuff, their sizing is just stupid. why have size charts if they are meaningless? it really is madness when you think about how they do their sizing. good luck!
I’ll ask a follow up question too here. How stretchy is the suit material? The XL bibs I have worn from Castelli are not necessarily their high end stuff.
The shorts and torso of the suit are very stretchy. The arms however are not, and that could be an issue sizing down, especially if you have larger biceps. The silicone ribbing on the arms is suprisingly thick – they’re actual beads of silicone and they do not stretch well at all. My arms also get super hot in the suit in 80+ conditions. When I take this suit off it leaves lines in my arms for a few hours. I take a size Large but I’m mid 170’s, 5’ 10" and more of a Blumenfeldt build mind you. When I’m at race weight (168 lbs) I’m sure I could fit in a medium for legs and torso; but I’d worry about the sleeves, for me and my build.
It’s also not surprising Castelli sells a Professional-only version of the PR Suit that has material ribbing; not silicone.
I had this exact experience with the zipper on a small. I had to size up to a medium, that still fits tight through the torso; but, it’s perfect for the TT position.
I have one castelli jersey that is a small and it’s a little big, I usually use it to layer a long sleeve base layer on cool days.
I’d say XL (or order one from Amazon to try on and return)
It’s also not surprising Castelli sells a Professional-only version of the PR Suit that has material ribbing; not silicone.
Castelli is only selling the version with (silicone) speed ribs, the same what all the castelli pros are using.
There was a non-silicone version in their custom collection last year with just the plain fabric without any aero tweaks.
There is no other version available to anyone - pro or amateur.
Castelli sizing, I am an XL jersey and a L short. I originally ordered an L for the PR Suit but exchanged it for an XL.
When the XL arrived, I took it to a local tailor and had it altered perfectly for me ($50).
I wouldn’t have gone through the extra trouble but the Castelli chamois, for me, is the most comfortable around.
Curious as to what your tailor took in, where, etc?
Castelli sizing, I am an XL jersey and a L short. I originally ordered an L for the PR Suit but exchanged it for an XL.
When the XL arrived, I took it to a local tailor and had it altered perfectly for me ($50).
I wouldn’t have gone through the extra trouble but the Castelli chamois, for me, is the most comfortable around.
Curious as to what your tailor took in, where, etc?
Hi Dan,
If you are local to Victoria, BC, Stitch It Alterations in Mayfair Mall.
It looked factory when I got the PR Suit back (they had it for a day) and all the stitching they did (a year ago now) still looks factory. I wore the suit for the Victoria 70.3 this weekend. All good.
Effectively, they separated the top from the bottoms, took in the waist on the bottoms, shortened the body, then re-attached the top to the bottoms.