Sparco Suit Sizing? Is baggy bad?

[wheezy]

Looking to buy my first fire suit. Kind of a tough one, being 6'5" 240lbs doesn't make it easy.

Will off the rack even work for me?

It SEEMS, that to get the proper length, it's going to be baggy (as in for a fat(er) guy)?


Any direction appreciated -

[rayrdz]

Don't get it too snug a little loose works better. I'm a big guy also and I had to try on a lot of different suits before I found an off the rack one that works. Sparco does a good job of custom fitting if you have the cash. But as they say a few more seconds of fire protection could be the difference you need to get out unharmed. Buy the best.

[wheezy]

Hey Ray... what suit did you end up going with? I'd love to hear some feedback from the bigger guys 6'4"/6'5" +

What suits are you guys wearing?

[Boston Mangler]

I am 6'4" and 275lbs.

I found the XXXL Crow Safety Single Layer to be the only one that fit me and wasnt too snug in the crotch (cant have that now, hehehe).

I tried on several different suits and the Crow was the only one that had fit me and my gut comfortably.

Their website only lists them up to XXL, but i found that my local ORW carries the XXXL and i was able to try one on.

Thats my .02

Now, if i could only find one for my 6'5" 290lb Co-Driver, we would be ready to go! :D

[PT9Baja]

I just bought a xxx from P.C.I. Race Radio it fits well and I am also 6'5" and 245# It was the low cost single layer overall but its a well made suit for $135. Black only for xxx . I am not a real racer, but wanted to have one. Pyrotect brand with a sfi manufactureer certified 3-2A/1 patch on the sholder.

[Desert Empire Racing]

I would recommend you get n touch with DJ Safety. They will build you any size suit you need. Just make sure you get a 2 layer for the new rules next season. Get it baggy or prepared to become very uncomfortable. Make sure your length is a little long as well.

[Moss Racing]

I would recommend you get n touch with DJ Safety. They will build you any size suit you need. Just make sure you get a 2 layer for the new rules next season. Get it baggy or prepared to become very uncomfortable. Make sure your length is a little long as well.

DJ safety is the way to go i got a custom suit made for a little more then a off the shelf suit but it fits perfect. i am 6,2 280 talk about odd size. and on top of that they are some of the nicest people you will meet. tell them Brandon from Moss Racing sent you and they will take care of you. pm me for there phone #

[1wayne]

I had a suit made by DJ safety it fits awsome.I am 6 5 and 340.I got it from Racer X and it was not that much for a custom suit.

[450grl]

I might have to go that route - finding a suit that fits me decent is impossible....I'm 5'10", I have boobs, no hips and a little waist....everything that is long enough fits like a clown suit....

[steelman]

Contact Jeff @ www.upr.com . He is on this board and sells Sparco suits-- don't buy a cheap suit, go with a two layer.

[retroblazer]

I might have to go that route - finding a suit that fits me decent is impossible....I'm 5'10", I have boobs, no hips and a little waist....everything that is long enough fits like a clown suit....

At least you share two of the common fit issues. They have boobs and no hips, well at least they can't find their hips. You shouldn't have any problem getting fitted.

[AZ45]

You're a Sparco size 66.

Baggy is better within reason, more air space is more insulation.

Check or suit sizer in the Resources tab of every suit product page on UPR.com

There's suits in the garage sale in size 66 that are about 50% off.

http://www.upr.com/browse.php?cat=138

A single layer chemically treated fire resistant suit will give you about 5 seconds to get out of a fire. If you're a big dude, you may want to see how fast you can get out of your car before you buy a 100.00 suit.

[450grl]

thanks! i'll check out your link!!

[Kartman]

Off the rack did not fit me either. Pyrotect did a very nice custom suit for $400 and a very fast turnaround.

[rayrdz]

I had several the latest was a RJS XXXL which fit great I am 6'2 250 and the other one was a Deist custom which fits like a glove.

[AZ1600]

I'm in this size range, and have a Simpson and a Pyrotec, both bought off the shelf and fit great.
I believe one is an L and the other an XL.

[cusico]

I'm 6'5" 240-250, have a few sparco suits sizes 64 and 66. the 64 could be a little longer, but it's no more high water style than all the f1 driver wear.

buy a Sparco three layer suit. Do your homework on some of the other suits out. there are single or two layer, and are closer to a mechanic suit than a driver suit. They are very inexspensive, but as always you get what you pay for.

[Kartman]

Just make sure you get a 2 layer for the new rules next season.
Source or more info on this please?

[baja619]

I to had a similar question relating to baggy drivers suits. With more space between the suit and your body, I would think that would allow for more heat to build up inside the suit in said event of a massive fire. Any thoughts on this AZ45?

[racer951]

I was told that it's the opposite. Air space in the suit is actually a slight heat barrier.

[ScottP66CJ]

Just make sure you get a 2 layer for the new rules next season.

Can you give more info on this? Is this SCORE only? all sactioning bodies?

Thanks

[partybarge_pilot]

6'2" @ 185#........ Everything is baggy on Me.

[wheezy]

FWIW: I called UPR - wanted a 66 - didn't have it. Went with a 64 with option to return if necessary.

The Sparco 64 was made for me, it's as good a fit that I would expect from a custom suit.

STOKED! $399 delivered! 2 layer Nomex - can't beat that deal with a stick as far as I'm concerned.

[JMiller]

I am looking at getting my first suite and I have this same problem as well 6'1" and 265 my sizes very from L to XX Should I just go custom or try and find one that fits off the self. Who has a good selection that I can try on?

[Tim_Price]

For Mrs. Weller: My lovely wife has a similar fit "problem". She ended up buying a suit and having it tailored to fit...HOWEVER she made one small mistake. Her tailor didn't use Nomex thread (I think they mostly did wedding gown mods). Not using the Nomex thread pretty much violates the SFI standards. Not a huge deal, but not good. (I used to make fire resistant SFI undershirts called FlameLab.)

[450grl]

Tim - I appreciate the information! I was wondering if they had to use fireproof thread - I figured it would be a good idea! :) I still haven't figured out what I'm going to do yet.....I'll probably just keep wearing my clownsuit of a race suit until I have to replace it, haha!

[AZ45]

Tim - I appreciate the information! I was wondering if they had to use fireproof thread - I figured it would be a good idea! :) I still haven't figured out what I'm going to do yet.....I'll probably just keep wearing my clownsuit of a race suit until I have to replace it, haha!

450grl-If your fit problems are Girl related, we will have an Alpinestars suit called the "Stella" designed for women pretty soon. If you need Nomex thread, we have that too.

[PGMazzio]

I am 6'3" about 260, tried every suit out there with no luck. Jake at Racer Offroad hooked me up with a custom suit at a really god price. He handled all the details and I am really pleased.

[Sparky]

I'm now in the market to finally replace my 15 year old single layer suit (not even Nomex!). I'm looking for a 2 layer nomex. I have it narrowed to a Sparco or a Simpson. I see a lot of votes here for Sparco. Anyone have any feedback on the Simpson?

[TallKewl7]

I had a Simpson suit and went through a nasty fire at the dirt bullring in Oildale, CA. I went into turn three and there were 3 modifieds stacked up. I had nowhere to go and stuffed right into the back of one pretty hard. His 30 gallon fuel cell split, spilling fuel onto the front of my car and ignited AMAZINGLY FAST. 30 gallons is a lot of fuel and there was a lot of fire.

My suit had to be replaced and when it came time I went down to Simpson Race World in Carson, CA. I laid my scorched suit on the counter and thanked them sincerely. I walked out of there with a Simpson 2-layer suit, Simpson fire-resistant underwear, Simpson Helmet, Simpson Gloves, Simpson Shoes. They even gave me half off my new suit if I let them keep my old suit and write a testimonial. If this sounds like I'm a cheerleader for Simpson...it is simple. I am. That suit saved my life.

Here are my 2 cents:

Wear a minimum of a 2 layer suit. Nomex underwear is another protection layer and a good idea.

Don't even consider getting into a race car without fire-resistant gloves. Another driver who was in the same wreck I was in did not wear any gloves at all because he "liked to be able to feel the steering wheel". He could not get out because he could not release his seatbelts. (SQUEAMISH, LOOK AWAY) The skin was melting on his hands. I saw him thrashing around in there and since I was closest one wearing protective gear, I walked into those flames and helped him out of the car. This happened 9 years ago and he still has some nasty looking burns on his hands. He is still racing and he wears gloves. Yes, we're great friends now.

Wear a Nomex balaclava or headsock. I've seen those skirts that go around the bottom of the helmet and they look even better, although I've never worn one. Fire is evil and it wants to get into spaces that are unprotected, like your neck and chin.

When it comes to fire protection, more layers are better. Every layer you add to your protection gives you that much more time to get out. Yes, it's hot and you're going to sweat. A good suit is expensive, but a cheap suit is more expensive. In my opinion baggy is OK and better than a suit that restricts your movement because it's too tight.

Don't work on your racecar in your firesuit! I know, if you're on the race course, you don't have any choice. But if you can, take it off before working on your race car. Any oils, grease or other flammable liquids that get on it will soak in and provide a penetration point for fire right through multiple layers.

Practice getting out of your race car with all your gear on. You'll be amazed how much of a difference this makes. The goal is to get out and be able to talk about how scary it was over a few beers.

Thanks for listening to me, I'll step down off of my soapbox now.

Marshall

[450grl]

That was excellent!! THANK YOU! Really interesting, good info!

And yes, Jeff - they are girl related fit issues - lol! I'll keep my eyes open for the "stella".....

[dirtsports]

All,

Just my .02 cents here. I've worn tons of different suits over the years, but the SPARCO that I purchased via the guys at UPR is the best fitting and most comfortable ever -- by far. Jeff does a great job of sizing too.

Also, don't ever settle for less than a two layer. If you really need it, how much is a visit to insensive care or the burn unit cost?

Marty

[Sparky]

After trying on several different brands, I went with the Sparco. It fit better than anything else and it was much more comfortable. Sparco website said that I needed a 58, but the 60 fit a lot better. Also in my research I found that many of the mfgs had suits with TPP ratings that were at the minimum for SFI-5, but the Sparco had a much higher rating. I tried UPR but they didn't have anything in a 60 that wouldn't totally blow my budget. A few minutes on Google and I found a place blowing out inventory and ended up with a Sprint bi-color for $399 shipped. Now I have enough money left for some Carbon X undies.

[TallKewl7]

As I said in an earlier post..........get the undies!:) Trust me.

Marshall

[AZ45]

After trying on several different brands, I went with the Sparco. It fit better than anything else and it was much more comfortable. Sparco website said that I needed a 58, but the 60 fit a lot better. Also in my research I found that many of the mfgs had suits with TPP ratings that were at the minimum for SFI-5, but the Sparco had a much higher rating. I tried UPR but they didn't have anything in a 60 that wouldn't totally blow my budget. A few minutes on Google and I found a place blowing out inventory and ended up with a Sprint bi-color for $399 shipped. Now I have enough money left for some Carbon X undies.


399.00 is a sweet deal for that suit. I know the company you got it from, they’re good guys. I’m not sure if you called or not, but we have a price guarantee on all of products, so we would have sold the suit at 399.99 if we had it but I think we did sell out of the 60's in that suit. Another thing to watch on closeout is that most companies, including the guys you bought the suit from have an “All Sales Final Policy” on discounted products. At UPR, we a “No Sale is Final” policy unless the customer is 100% satisfied.

Give us a shot at the Under Layers, we have Oakley, Ringers, Sparco, Alpinestars and G Force. Starting at 49.95.

Thanks for the props Marty, the UPR guys work pretty hard.

[Ziggy]

Is a one piece mandatory for the majority of California racing?

[Big Oly TT]

Crow are too tight in the upper torso, too long in the lower. I am 175# 5' 9", and had to get a 2x CROW last minute, and shorten up the legs. And I had a med. in another brand that fit perfect, except my gut was getting bigger over the years. My other buddys bad mouth the CROW suits as well.

[Ziggy]

Is a two piece fire suit as good as a one piece?What is the favored brand?

[Sparky]

Is a one piece mandatory for the majority of California racing?

Most, if not all off-road-racing organizations require a 1-piece.

[Sparky]

399.00 is a sweet deal for that suit. I know the company you got it from, they’re good guys. I’m not sure if you called or not, but we have a price guarantee on all of products, so we would have sold the suit at 399.99 if we had it but I think we did sell out of the 60's in that suit. Another thing to watch on closeout is that most companies, including the guys you bought the suit from have an “All Sales Final Policy” on discounted products. At UPR, we a “No Sale is Final” policy unless the customer is 100% satisfied.

Give us a shot at the Under Layers, we have Oakley, Ringers, Sparco, Alpinestars and G Force. Starting at 49.95.

Thanks for the props Marty, the UPR guys work pretty hard.

I did not know that UPR had a price match. That is good to know. I was in the Phoenix store a couple weeks ago. I'm going back this week to get some carbonx stuff from them.

[Ziggy]

Thanks for the info.

[cusico]

Sparco is beginning the first steps in have the production of custom suits done here in the states, in Southern California. The Italian production manager from Sparco Italy has moved here two weeks ago, and the US production of custom suits will begin within 90 days, after all of the employee's have been trained in Italy by the the custom suit shop there.

Now the production turn-around will be two weeks, down from 4 weeks.

The added cost currently for a custom sized suit is $200 US dollars.

Sparco will be making the commitment to Offroad racing, beginning heavily in 2008 with involvement in C.O.R.R., SCORE, BITD, with other series to follow.

Look for the Cusico Sparco trailer at vendor row at 25 plus events this year, to check out and feel the entire line of product that Sparco has to offer.

We are committed to being involved in Offroad.