The Best Fire Suits For Larger Drivers

Driver Gear, Reviews I By Winding Road Staff I November 10, 2020

For some people, finding a race suit that fits is tough. The manufacturers have to pick average blends of chest, waist, arm length, leg length and leg-torso ratios. But some people just aren’t average. And, if a racer is in the range of a size 3XL, finding a racing suit that fits can be an even bigger challenge, partly because there are so few choices.

Entry Level

For larger drivers looking for a good starter suit, we recommend the Alpinestars Knoxville suit. It goes all the way up to a size 66, accommodates chest sizes over 48 inches and waist sizes above 44 inches. Conveniently, it is one of our least expensive suits. Please note: a new Knoxville is arriving for 2021, check it out here!.

Sparco also offers Conquest 2.0 if the design and cuff of the Knoxville doesn’t appeal to folks:

Mid-Range

One issue with suits like the Knoxville and the Conquest is that they are relatively heavy and therefore not ideal in hot weather. Above the entry-level, Sparco makes a very nice suit called the Victory, which goes all the way up to a 66. This is one of our most popular suits, and we have to say: not only does it look pretty slick, but it’s also one of the most breathable suits on the market in its price range. 

Custom

The other issue for larger drivers is that suit manufacturers grow the length (height) of the suit as they increase the “diameter” (chest and waist). So, some larger drivers will find an off the rack suit is too long when they get a size that fits in the waist and chest. For these drivers, we recommend checking out our custom suit options by Sparco and OMP.

Going the custom suit route is more expensive, but it is made-to-measure which helps immensely with fit. It is also often lightweight and can include custom embroidery and colors, so racers will look extra-spiffy on the podium. These suits take on average around 3-4 weeks to produce once the design is finalized. Our retail locations in Texas, California, and Georgia can help folks work through the design process pretty quickly as well.

Shop all suits on WindingRoadRacing.com.

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