CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help

Clothes for overweight people

(14 posts)
  • Started 11 years ago by thewavecry
  • Latest reply from Cyclingmollie
  • This topic is not resolved

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  1. thewavecry
    Member

    "What on earth am I going to wear?"

    I can probably count the number of times that phrase has passed my lips on one hand. I have a suit for births, deaths and court appearances; jeans, tshirts and trainers for work and weekends; jumpers, scarfs and a big jacket for winter. What more do I need?

    Well, I plan to start cycling again after many years out of the saddle and I have to face the fact that I am no longer slim. In fact, having just tried on some lightweight waterproof uber-jackets with more Xs on the label than I care to mention, I can say that I am pear shaped and that sports/adventure clothing, no matter how generously sized, is not going to fit me correctly.

    So I return to the question: what on earth am I going to wear? I think that I need to come up with some kind of accessible homebrew combinations that will keep me relatively warm and relatively dry until summer arrives.

    Any ideas or suggestions?

    My initial thinking is: tshirt, lambswool/merino jumper, fleece on top; combats, undershorts on bottom; thick socks, hiking shoes on feet.

    I am not sure how prevalent this is but, from my own point of view, not being able to get proper clothes (and the shame that generates) is a real barrier to getting out there.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  2. LivM
    Member

    I am generously proportioned, and have found Altura things are generously cut compared to higher end products.

    Have a good wicking layer beside your skin (not a t-shirt - lambs wool is good and I have found bamboo to be better (less itchy))

    Look for garments that are cut long so that you don't expose a section around your kidneys when you lean forward. And equally make sure that the sleeves are longer than normal so when your arms reach forward you don't strain the fabric over your shoulders.

    Try to get clothes that don't have a lot of things that might catch on bike parts.

    I do know one chap who took up cycling to lose weight and he wore Lycra all the way as an incentive to lose weight and not be so lumpy.

    Enjoy getting out and about on your bike :)

    Posted 11 years ago #

  3. EddieD
    Member

    Just wear what you feel comfortable in, it's not a fashion parade.

    The only thing I would say, is not too many seams on any area you sit down on, it can get very painful

    Posted 11 years ago #

  4. kaputnik
    Moderator

    I was generously proportioned also when I started cycling. I found that baggy-cut cycling shorts of the type favoured by MTBists were just fine, without them sitting on me like they were lycra.

    Cycling gear aimed at the road cycling fraternity is nearly always a tight cut and labelled at least 1 size too small, but the likes of Altura and Endura's commuting lines seem to be sensibly sized and labelled.

    TK Maxx always seem to have a good stock of Craqhoppers type clothing in a range of sizes at bargain basement prices (their Kiwi trousers are part of the uniform in a lot of hillwalking circles)

    As LivD says, it's length of coats that are one of the main things to look for in a jacket - not so long at the front that it flaps around and bunches up and long enough at the back to cover the kidneys and stop the rain running down the back of your pants!

    If you're just planning on commuting and some cyclepath type rides initially, there's no reason that "regular" clothes won't be fine, it's handy if they're lightweight-ish, wicking of sweat-ish, easy to wash-ish and quick drying-ish.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  5. SRD
    Moderator

    Sweatpants/jogging bottoms ? A bit heavy, but forgiving.

    We have had discussions about cycling in hiking boots before. It's not impossible, but you may find it uncomfortable if the ankles are very high/stiff. I always wear them if the weather is bad enough that it might require walk home. But otherwise sandals or the sort of light weight exercise shoes (may be just a female thngs) work well for me.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  6. chdot
    Admin

    "I am not sure how prevalent this is but, from my own point of view, not being able to get proper clothes (and the shame that generates) is a real barrier to getting out there."

    Probably goes through the minds of a lot of people who have been 'told' they need to exercise.

    They then go "naah".

    So it's good that you're admitting it - and still looking.

    At least here you'll get encouragement (and good advice).

    Hope you get encouragement from relations/friends/neighbours.

    Don't give up.

    You know it's going to be worth it...

    Posted 11 years ago #

  7. wee folding bike
    Member

    Airdrie to Baillieston each day in Craghopper Kiwi trousers, ordinary work shirt, fleecy and Dr Marten 7 up steel toe boots.

    Almost the time of year to lose the boots I think but they are so darn comfy.

    You don't really need any special togs but I would second the bit above about nothing flappy. It's not just for drag but you don't want to catch on anything.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  8. Uberuce
    Member

    You might find yourself surprised by how few layers you need to wear. If you want it to be, cycling's hard work and you'll heat up a lot, fast.

    I ride to work in what I'm going to wear all day. Luckily I have almost no dress code at either of my jobs, so T-shirt and shorts or 3/4 length trousers* is fine and dandy. If it's cold I'll have a lightweight sweater on too, and if I'm intending to be very slow or just nipping out to the shops, I wear a light jacket too.

    I only have to ride 9 miles a day, split into four journeys, so civvies are absolutely fine for me. I've got into sports/recreational cycling since getting back on the bike a little under two years ago, and I now own a full wardrobe of cycling-specific kit. For more than 20-odd miles in one day I now wear that stuff instead because it doesn't grind away at you with their seams like steveo mentioned.

    At this point I wouldn't invest in anything that won't still fit you when you've lost weight.

    For waterproofing I find there's two schools of thought: head-to-toe Goretex or get soaked and change into dry stuff at work. I overheat badly in the waterproofs, and now that I own all this lycra guff I just get that wet and carry a change, knowing the skintight things will be dry within a few hours.

    *actually just full leg breeks that I roll up once when they're out the washing machine, and unroll once when they need to go back in.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  9. DaveC
    Member

    Sports Direct have tops by Fox which I found to be quite long on me and I'm 6ft. May be good for that kidney covering mentioned earlier.

    But as others have said, dress in what you like and feel comfortable. Ignore any negative coments. Ride once a day for an hour if you can. Just plod along - don't feel you have to rush or go at any superfast pace and you'll have the weight dropping off before you know it. Start slow and go at your own pace. It will be difficult at first but in a week you feel better and the aches will no longer be there. Just build up slowly and you'll be amazed how far you'll find yourself cycling after only a few weeks.

    If you need help, advice or just someone to roll those miles with, just ask. We're happy to help.

    Dave C

    Posted 11 years ago #

  10. Instography
    Member

    Decathlon works well for the rounded chap.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  11. sallyhinch
    Member

    I recommend merino next to the skin, rather than a t-shirt. Not only does it regulate your temperature, it has magical non-smelliness properties if you're not changing when you get to work (and even if you are, it dries so quickly you don't have to change back into something a bit clammy for the ride home). That said, I basically wear merino for everything, including sitting round the house, from September to May. For waterproofs, I find anything that's suitable for hiking is fine for cycling - breathable and waterproof and not as pricey as something cycling specific. If you want something hi vis and reflective, then a builder's vest over the top is fine and it means if you pop out for lunch you have a jacket that doesn't scream cyclist.

    Have fun!

    Posted 11 years ago #

  12. Snowy
    Member

    Firstly well done on getting back on the bike :-)

    As Uberuce said, 'warm' is not going to be an issue. But 'dry' is something that challenges everyone.

    When I got back on the bike a couple of years ago (and 20 kilos ago), the biggest problem, summer or winter, was that there was just as much moisture being generated from the inside of the clothing! And as I'm sure many people find, this is still an issue at anything above moderate effort.

    If you are able to change at your destination, great. Then you can wear anything, as long as it keeps you warm for the trip. Being wet doesn't actually matter as long as you are warm overall. Notwithstanding the extremities that can get severely chilled in an evil wind...big vote here for windproof gloves and decent shoes.

    I started out on baggy hillwalking trousers (quick-dry material usually), and tracksuit bottoms. It ain't a fashion parade :-)

    Merino wool is fantastic. Pricey, but brilliant. In the coldest weather this winter I've been wearing a long-sleeve merino t-shirt under my cycling jacket and that's it. It gets wet with perspiration - and it still keeps you warm. Squeamish types close your ears at this point - merino tops *never* smell and can be worn for a week at a time.

    Outer layer. If you can't find an officially waterproof layer that you feel happy with, but you have a fleece that works, then go with that. You can get some really awesome waterproofing sprays such as Nikwax TX (Tiso, Nevisport) which go a long way to making a fleecey shell viable in most weathers. You'll get 10 miles before the water gets through a treated fleece.

    Footwear - walking boots/shoes are surprisingly good because they tend to have stiff soles like cycling shoes, and are often water-resistant and warm.

    Best of luck.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  13. Radgeworks
    Member

    First off, great to hear of another person getting back on the bike!!
    :-) More power to you!

    I like to use a combination of hiking stuff, army surplus and sports direct purchases to keep me dry (and less poor). Packaway waterproofs are a must in bonnie Scotland of course, whatever weather you go out in keep them with you, (and your sunspecs...) LOL.
    I have found the Karrimor summit shoe range is excellent waterproof but breathable cycling footwear at discount prices.

    R

    Posted 11 years ago #

  14. Cyclingmollie
    Member

    +1 for using hill-walking gear. When I started riding my bike to work I wore a fleece top and hiking waterproof, boots, rucksack etc. Only real problem was wind-chill in my nethers.

    Posted 11 years ago #

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