General Sizing Introduction for Motorcycle Helmets and Gear
The sizing instructions and charts given below are to give you some general idea. Always use the size chart on product page or look for brand specific size charts.
You would think that after several centuries of global commerce that eventually we would see the same measuring units standardized throughout the world. But you would be wrong. Measuring units still differ not only between continents, but also often between countries. Metric, Imperial, US Customary – all are different ways of measuring length, weight, even space. So why would it be different for our clothes and helmets?
Well, they aren’t, so we have to explain the size differences between the main brands coming from Europe, the United Kingdom and the USA. A men’s size 6 shoe in the USA would probably be for a 3 months old baby shoe in Europe. But Europe also includes the United Kingdom, which to make matters more complicated, has its own sizes. And we’ll not even talk about the Japanese, Australian, Chinese, Korean or Russian ones, who all have their own sizes.
So below you’ll not only find the conversion charts for shoes, gloves, jackets, pants and even helmets, but also how to ensure that the item you buy fits properly.
But please, don’t worry. If you order an item with the wrong size, just return it. We’ll ship you the correct one free of charge, so no worries.
Helmets
Measuring for a motorcycle helmet is important. Get a helmet that is too small, and you’ll end up with a headache and a very uncomfortable ride. Get one that is too big, and you might as well wear a hat, since that’s about all the protection you’ll enjoy. A helmet needs to fit properly, with a very slight movement when tugged by your hand. So getting the right size measurement of your head is very important.
But do note, some helmets are better suited for some heads than others. One brand may be more difficult to fit than another helmet manufacturer.
Once you have measured your head, here is a quick table with the size indicator and the comparable hat size (for those of you who wear a hat, you can just take your hat size):
| Size | Inches | CM | Hat Size |
| X-Small | 20.87-21.26 | 53-54 | 6 5/8-6 3/4 |
| Small | 21.65-22.05 | 55-56 | 6 7/8-7 |
| Medium | 22.44-22.83 | 57-58 | 7 1/8-7 1/4 |
| Large | 23.23-23.62 | 59-60 | 7 3/8-7 1/2 |
| X-Large | 24.02-24.41 | 61-62 | 7 5/8-7 3/4 |
| 2X-Large | 24.80-25.20 | 63-64 | 7 7/8-8 |
| 3X-Large | 25.60-26.00 | 65-66 | 8 1/8-8 1/4 |
| 4X-Large | 26.40-26.80 | 67-68 | 8 3/8-8 1/2 |
| 5X-Large | 27.00-27.50 | 69-70 | 8 5/8-8 3/4 |
It doesn’t matter what kind of helmet you are buying; modular, integral or open face, the head size measure remains the same.
Once you have received your brand new helmet, do make sure the fit is perfect.
Jackets
The part of our body that has the biggest differences amongst human beings is our upper body, the one you’ll need to measure if you are in the market for a new jacket. Your shoulders, belly and arm length are just a few of the criteria you need to take into account. Throw into the mix the differences between countries, and you’ve got the start of a headache. But it really does not need to be so..
The items you will need to measure (you will need help from someone else) are: chest, arm length (for the sleeve), waist (do not hold in your belly, you’ll be sorry if you do) and finally height. But remember, you do not always need to have all the above measures. Check the jacket’s size chart you are interested in to see what you need to measure.
When you have got the right measures, check the size chart for the jacket you are looking at. Look for your measures in the table and when found, look at the size indicator (XS, S, M up to 5XL). That’s the one you got to order. Now all you need to do is choose your color.
Shoes
Shoes in the US are split in gender, in other words, female and male sizes. In Europe, the size is the same for all gender. Dimensions are always determined by “size”, meaning the length of your foot, and sometimes in width.
SIZE
The size is the distance between the furthest points of your foot (diagonally from your biggest foot’s back to the front, i.e., your big toe).
Below is the shoe size conversion chart between European, UK sizes and US.
| UK | USA | |||
| Europe | Men's | Women's | Men's | Women's |
| 35 | 3 | 2½ | 3½ | 5 |
| 35½ | 3½ | 3 | 4 | 5½ |
| 36 | 4 | 3½ | 4½ | 6 |
| 37 | 4½ | 4 | 5 | 6½ |
| 37½ | 5 | 4½ | 5½ | 7 |
| 38 | 5½ | 5 | 6 | 7½ |
| 38½ | 6 | 5½ | 6½ | 8 |
| 39 | 6½ | 6 | 7 | 8½ |
| 40 | 7 | 6½ | 7½ | 9 |
| 41 | 7½ | 7 | 8 | 9½ |
| 42 | 8 | 7½ | 8½ | 10 |
| 43 | 8½ | 8 | 9 | 10½ |
| 44 | 10 | 9½ | 10½ | 12 |
| 45 | 11 | 10½ | 11½ | 13 |
| 46½ | 12 | 11½ | 12½ | 14 |
| 48½ | 13½ | 13 | 14 | 15½ |
Example: If you were a woman in the US with a shoe size 9, you would opt for the European size 40 or a UK size 6 1/2.
WIDTH
In the US we also often mention the width of the shoe. The width is expressed with an alphabetical letter, starting with AA and ending with EE.
Here are all the letters used to determine the width for both female and male shoe sizes.
| Letter | Men's | Women's |
| AA | Very Narrow | |
| A | Narrow | |
| B | Narrow | Medium |
| C | Medium | Medium Wide |
| D | Medium | Wide |
| E | Wide | Wide |
| EE | Wide | Extra Wide |
| EEE | Extra Wide |
The “normal” width, or average width, is size “D”, which is the width used predominately in Europe.
FITTING FOR THE RIGHT SHOE
It’s complicated; you need a math degree to figure it out. But rest assured, we’ll make it very easy for you.
Here is a link to a printable document that will allow you to determine your foot dimensions (unless you already know them). Remember to always use your biggest foot (usually the opposite of your main hand, i.e., if you are right handed, it’s your left foot).
Print the document featured in the link (WARNING: make sure that when you print, in your computer’s print dialog box on your screen, never select “fit” or “scale”. Always print at 100%).
Once you know your correct shoe size and width, use the table above to convert the European or UK shoe/boot you are lusting after.
Again, let me point out, if you got it wrong, and you receive a shoe that does not fit, just send it back and we’ll replace it with one that does. No questions asked, no charge.
Gloves
Getting the correct sized gloves is easier than other equipment. You’ll need to get the correct size of your hands (do measure your biggest hand, usually the hand you write with), but measuring them is easy;
The only real difference with European gloves is that often they are expressed in centimeters, but the glove size label (e.g. S, XL, M, etc.) remains valid. Once you know the size of your hands, and after looking at all the fine gloves our site, look at the size chart displayed below each glove’s description. Map your size to the sizing letter (XS to XXL). That’s all there is to it.
Pants
Motorcycle pants are divided into three different categories, each with its own measuring process. That is because each category has its own use. The most popular type is the overpants (pants that are worn over your normal pants), followed by the racing/sports leathers and then, last but not least, the chaps.
Three sizes are important but not always required; waist (always required, the length of the widest point of your belly), inseam (the distance between your crotch and the ankle) and length (the total distance between the top of the pants to the bottom). Some pants may require you to measure your thighs and/or your hips.
OVERPANTS
Overpants are motorcycle pants that are worn over your normal street or business pants. These need to be bigger and larger than your normal pants size. The overpants are always bigger in length since the top-end of the pants is placed over your bellybutton level.
The total length of these pants is always longer than your normal pants, since they will go up to your navel allowing for more protection, both from impacts and from the elements. This way when you arrive at work and take off the overpants, your business pants are dry and proper.
SPORTS LEATHERS
When measuring for leathers, particularly those used in racing, you will need to be very careful. Other pants have a reasonable degree of flexibility, but sports leathers are more rigid. Apart from the very form fitting leathers, you need to take into account the placement of the knee protectors and the sliders. Almost all these leathers have adjustable pockets for these protectors, but there is a limit in adjustment space. So measure wisely.
CHAPS
Chaps are the easiest to measure since they offer a high degree of flexibility. Most chaps can be cut to fit properly in length, and many have adjustable waists. When measuring waist and thighs, please do so with your normal street clothes on. So if you plan to be wearing jeans under your chaps, measure the dimensions with your jeans on.
SADDLEBAGS
Since all bikes are different. Please use the following instructions to measure your saddlebags.
- Measure the horizontal distance from the ends of the rear signal lamp to the riders lower back aligns to the seat.
- Measure the vertical distance from the top rear fender toward the exhaust pipe and leave approximately 2" of clearance.
