Women's Motorcycle Race Suits: How to Get the Right Fit
Quick answers: A women's race suit should be cut on female proportions, not scaled down from a men's pattern. Measure your chest, waist, hips, height, inseam, arm length and torso length on bare skin or a thin layer, then check each against the maker's chart. Charts differ between brands and models, so do not assume the same size in every suit. If you fall between sizes at chest and hip, a made-to-measure suit avoids the compromise.
Key takeaways
- Many women measure a different size at chest, waist and hip. A single standard size can fit one and not the others.
- Suit sizing varies a lot by brand. Reports of the same suit running large or small are common, so always use the specific chart for the model.
- A suit should feel firm standing upright and correct once you are sitting on the bike.
- Fit is a safety feature: loose armour can move off the joint it protects.
- A suit cut to your own measurements is the most reliable solution.
Why women's race suits need a different cut
Men's suits are typically patterned with a broader chest and a straighter line from chest to hip. Women's body shapes usually combine a narrower torso and shoulders with a different hip-to-waist ratio and bust. A men's suit scaled down is often too tight or too loose at the hip, too long in the torso and baggy at the waist. Armour then sits in the wrong place, and the suit rubs or bunches in the riding position.
How to measure
Take your measurements on bare skin or in a thin layer. Ask someone to help, because it is hard to measure yourself accurately. Keep the tape level and snug without squeezing.
| Measurement | How to take it |
|---|---|
| Chest | Around the fullest part of the bust, tape level across the back. |
| Waist | Around the narrowest part of the torso. |
| Hips | Around the widest part of the hips and seat. |
| Height | Barefoot against a wall. |
| Inseam | From the crotch to the ankle bone. |
| Arm length | From the shoulder point to the wrist bone, with the arm slightly bent. |
| Torso length | From the base of the neck, between the legs, and back up to the same point. It matters in a one piece suit. |
Our full measuring guide and size guide show every point.
Reading a size chart
Women's charts typically list chest, waist, hips and inseam in centimetres or inches. Some use European numeric sizes. Fit varies by brand: RevZilla notes that the Rev'it Xena 4 runs large and suggests sizing down if you are between sizes, while reviewers of another women's race suit describe it as running small and suggest sizing up. The point is not which is right but that the same label can mean different things. Use the chart for the exact model and compare your measurements, not just your usual size.
Common fit problems and what they mean
| Problem | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Tight at chest, loose at waist | A single standard size cannot cover the difference between chest and waist. |
| Tight at hips or thighs | A pattern made on a straighter men's block. |
| Torso too long or short | The suit is cut for a different height or riding position. |
| Armour sits too high or low | Arm, leg or torso lengths do not match the suit. |
| Gaps at the waist when seated | Too much length for the riding position. |
How a race suit should feel
A new suit should feel firm standing upright and correct once you are sitting on the bike. Full-grain leather relaxes and moulds to you over the first few rides, so a suit that feels roomy when new will be too large once broken in. Fit is a safety feature, not a preference: a loose suit lets armour migrate off the joint it protects during a crash. Check the following while sitting in your riding position:
- Armour sits over the shoulders, elbows and knees without sliding.
- You can reach the bars without the suit pulling across the back or shoulders.
- Your knees sit comfortably against the tank without the suit bunching.
- The chest and hips are free enough to breathe but not loose.
Made to measure for women
The fix for chest, waist and hip mismatches is a suit cut to your own measurements. At Bleed Racing Gears every suit is made to order, so it is produced on female proportions rather than scaled down from a men's block. You can order standard sizes or send full tailor-made measurements for men and women at no extra cost. If you want a particular team design, browse our leather racing suits or ask for a custom colourway. For the construction choice, see 1 piece vs 2 piece suits.
Armour for women
Armour should sit over the joints it protects, so a suit that fits is already half the job. Our suits use CE Level 2 armour at the shoulders, elbows, knees and back. See our guide to CE Level 1 vs Level 2 armour and consider adding a chest protector, since many women choose one as an extra. See chest protectors for more.
Frequently asked questions
Do women need a different race suit from men?
Usually yes. A suit cut on female proportions fits the chest, waist and hips better than a men's suit scaled down.
What size race suit do I need?
Use your chest, waist, hip, inseam and torso measurements against the chart for the exact suit. Do not rely on your usual clothing size.
What if I am a different size at chest and hips?
This is common. A made-to-measure suit solves it. Otherwise, choose by the larger measurement and have the fit checked by a tailor.
Should I size up or down?
It depends on the brand and model, because reports differ. Always use the chart for the specific suit and read fit notes.
Will a suit fit my height?
Give your height, inseam, arm and torso lengths. Many off-the-shelf suits are only available in a few lengths.
Can I have a team design in a women's cut?
Yes. Any livery here can be made to your measurements on female proportions.
Sources
- RevZilla: Rev'it Xena women's race suit
- RevZilla: Cortech Revo Sport Air women's race suit
- RevZilla: Dainese women's race suit sizing