The Breathe Vélo guide to sizes
| Chest Size IN | 34" | 36" | 38" | 40" | 42" | 44" |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chest Size CM | 86cm | 91cm | 96cm | 101cm | 107cm | 111cm |
| Typical Size | XS | S | M | L | XL | XXL |
| *Typical Range CM | 83 - 88 | 88 - 94 | 94 - 100 | 100 - 106 | 106 - 111 | 111 - 117 |
| *Typical Range IN | 32.5 - 34.5 | 35 - 37 | 37.5 - 39.5 | 40 - 41.5 | 42 - 43.5 | 44 - 46 |
| Waist Size IN | 30" | 32" | 34" | 36" | 38" | 40" |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waist Size CM | 76 | 81 | 86 | 91 | 96 | 101 |
| Typical Size | S | M | L | XL | 2XL | 3XL |
| *Typical Range CM | 72 - 78 | 78 - 84 | 84 - 90 | 90 - 95 | 95 - 100 | 101 - 106 |
| *Typical Range IN | 28.5 - 30.5 | 31 - 33 | 33.5 - 35.5 | 36 - 37.5 | 38 - 39.5 | 40 - 41.5 |
Rule No. 1
Many people do not know what size they really are, nor how to measure to obtain their correct sizing.
Rule No. 2
Never compare the labeled sizing from two different brands. They very rarely mean the same thing.
Rule No. 3
Breathe Vélo uses ‘True Sizing’.
We base our sizes on your physical size, not an arbitrary number, the size of a small Italian pro racer or a Himalayan goat herder. If your chest physically measures 101cm / 40″, then you will opt for a 101/40 sized top, regardless of the cut. The same applies for our shorts and bibs.
Rule No. 4
Our jerseys fit close but not tight and never ‘race’ or skin tight.
If asked the best way to describe our cuts, we say that ‘our jerseys are cut based on the properties of the fabric’, which means we allow for a close fit but take into account the fact that the Merino we use has a moderate stretch, so by nature can not be a tight fit.
Read below for our guide to Chest and Waist Sizing as well as our Benchmark Sizing system
Chest size
For all Breathe Vélo tops, the core measurement is physical chest size. If you don’t know what that is, you can:
1: Look at formal/business shirt, as these still use ‘True’ sizes.
2: Measure. Using a tape measure, measure around your chest at nipple hight. The tape should not be pulled taught, nor have any slack in it.
Once you have this, depending on your body size, select the size that corresponds. If you find you sit in the middle, say 39″, we always advise you to go up rather than down, unless you want a firm fit and do not put on weight! Keep in mind Merino does not have the stretch of many synthetics, so a firm fitting Merino top will feel… firm.
Waist size
For all our shorts and bibs, the core measurement is physical waist size. If you don’t know what that is, you can:
1: As with shirts, check your formal/business pants which run to ‘True’ sizing.
2: To measure your waist. Run a tape measure around your waist, at hip bone level – usually just below your navel. This will give you your ‘True’ waist size.
A note on waist sizing
Waist sizing is one of the most confusing for most people as many buy pants that are actually the wrong size!
We say this because many guys buy jeans/casual pants in a size too small (usually because they don’t know their real size) and as the pants fit without falling off, they assume this is the size for them. The reality is all pants have what is known as ‘ease’ built into them. ‘Ease’ is an extra amount, usually a minimum of 5cm /2″ for jeans, that is added into the cut above the actual waist size. So someone who is a 34″ waist may find they are buying 32″ jeans because they fit snugly and don’t fall down, naturally assuming this is a good fit; but a 32″ jean with a minimum of 2″ of ease will be at least a 34″ physical finished waist, hence the perfect fit! In reality, jeans and most casual pants are meant to fit a little looser and incorporate the use of a belt, so a proper fitting 34″ set of jeans will measure closer to 36″.
A good way to see this is to measure your jeans. Lay them flat and measure from side to side, half way up the waist band. We bet that your jeans will be at least 2″ BIGGER than what’s on the label!
Benchmark measuring
For most our products, we also supply a extensive list of ‘finished’ core measurements. ‘Finished’ refers to the final dimensions of the garment and you can use these to measure against a similar garment you may have to see how they compare. Keep in mind that when using this method, there will be some discrepancies due to unavoidable variations in sewing etc., as well as any shrinkage in the garment you are using to measure from.
To measure a top, lay it flat and use the below chart as a guide on how to obtain comparative measurements. Try and make sure there are no wrinkles when measuring and ensure not to stretch the garment, which can make it longer than it really is.
Measuring a bottom uses the same method. Lay it flat and use the below chart as a guide on how to obtain comparative measurements. Try and make sure there are no wrinkles when measuring and ensure not to stretch the garment, which can make it longer than it really is.
