Using the De Soto website and letting my fingers to the walking, I couldn’t find anywhere within 80 miles of Menlo Park to try on the 400 Mile shorts/bibs. I’m likely between a Medium and a Large, and I’m not sure if I want the bibs or the shorts. Sports Basement only has a few of the Forza and trisuit options. After reading the super favorable reviews of these, I’m fired up to check them out, but frustrated that no one seems to have them. Anybody have any luck finding someone who carries these locally?
isn’t front of the pack over in palo alto a desoto dealer? not sure what they stock but darrell the owner posts here and could probably get you anything you wanted.
FOTP has the De Soto wetsuits, but not a lot of the clothing. Ask Darrel if he can order both sizes for you to try.
I had the same issue (also between an M and an L…and live in Menlo); what I did was go to Sports Basement and try on the ITU suit, which I assume is cut similarly to the 400 mile shorts.
Alternately you can send De Soto your measurements (waist, hips, thighs, crotch-to-shoulder height) and have them recommend a size.
Thanks guys. I frequent FOTP and didn’t remember seeing the De Soto clothing. Likewise they weren’t on the “official” list of De Soto dealers. Next time I’ll call anyway.
It’s just frustrating that these shorts are supposedly the best ever (that don’t cost $300, anyway) and nobody in the area seems to stock them. I like to try before I buy, and don’t relish buying several pairs and having to pay for shipping to return the ones that don’t fit.
Correct, Darryl does not stock much De Soto, but he knows how to reach me to order anything for you. Let me know what you need, send me your name, I will send them to him and have him hold them for you. How does that sound?
Hey Emilio,
FOTP is a great shop with great people but I had the same issue while buying a speed tube. Does any store on the Bay Area carry a lot of your gear? I always prefer to buy direct from a local store Vs the internet.
Dave
I really appreaciate the offer…for future items we’ll go that route. I eventually decided to just order both and I’ll send back the ones that aren’t right. From what I read about your guarantee and customer service, this is a no-risk way to go, though certainly not how I prefer to shop! It just seems suprising to me that for the reputation of these shorts, I can’t find anyone around here who stocks them. You might have your sales reps point out to the Sports Basement buyers that they’re missing the boat on this one.
Correct, Darryl does not stock much De Soto, but he knows how to reach me to order anything for you. Let me know what you need, send me your name, I will send them to him and have him hold them for you. How does that sound?
To the OP: This is a big reason and great example for so many great reviews on here (the products are great too). My experience and the experience of others I know has been that if you send all the accurate measurements noted on the website, the sizing suggestion that comes back to you is spot on. Good luck!
Hey Emilio,
FOTP is a great shop with great people but I had the same issue while buying a speed tube. Does any store on the Bay Area carry a lot of your gear? I always prefer to buy direct from a local store Vs the internet.
Dave
Hey Dave,
We sell to all the Bay Area stores listed below: Please call before going to make sure they have what you are looking for as stuff sell fast up there:
Club Swim/Swim Outlet
39630 Eureka Dr
Newark, CA 94560
800.691.4065
Echelon Cycle & Multisport
1005 Cleveland Ave
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
707-528-1133
Sports Basement - Bryant
1590 Bryant St
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 575-3000
Sports Basement - Presidio
610 Old Mason St
San Francisco, CA 94129
(415) 437-0100
Sports Basement - Sunnyvale
1177 Kern Ave
Sunnyvale, CA 94085
(408) 732-0300
Sports Basement - Walnut Creek
1881 Ygnacio Valley Road
Walnut Creek, CA 94598
(925) 941-6100
I really appreaciate the offer…for future items we’ll go that route. I eventually decided to just order both and I’ll send back the ones that aren’t right. From what I read about your guarantee and customer service, this is a no-risk way to go, though certainly not how I prefer to shop! It just seems suprising to me that for the reputation of these shorts, I can’t find anyone around here who stocks them. You might have your sales reps point out to the Sports Basement buyers that they’re missing the boat on this one.
Yep, we do sell to Sports Basement. All their stores have our product, but always safest to call first before making the trip.
Those dealers listed are the ones I found on the website…
Sports Basement only carries the Forza shorts and ITU trisuits (at least SVL and Presidio)
Club Swim/Swim outlet, when you call them, indicates they are internet only and don’t have a physical store.
Echelon did have a few pairs of bibs, but they are ~2hrs away, in Santa Rosa.
So I think what we do is band together and every time we go into a shop, ask if they carry De Soto. If enough people do this, maybe more people will pick up more of the line, or become retailers (this worked getting a relatively local Newton retailer). And Emilio and his sales reps will be happy, too!
I’m looking forward to trying the 400 mile shorts out. I hope they’re as good as everyone suggests.
Those dealers listed are the ones I found on the website…
Sports Basement only carries the Forza shorts and ITU trisuits (at least SVL and Presidio)
Club Swim/Swim outlet, when you call them, indicates they are internet only and don’t have a physical store.
Echelon did have a few pairs of bibs, but they are ~2hrs away, in Santa Rosa.
So I think what we do is band together and every time we go into a shop, ask if they carry De Soto. If enough people do this, maybe more people will pick up more of the line, or become retailers (this worked getting a relatively local Newton retailer). And Emilio and his sales reps will be happy, too!
I’m looking forward to trying the 400 mile shorts out. I hope they’re as good as everyone suggests.
I love this idea. I can only tell dealers so many times to check their stock and let me know what they need!
You are going to love the shorts. Thanks for your kind support.