Riding trousers have to fit a body that is sitting, leaning forward and bending at the knee, which is very different from standing in front of a mirror. This guide to plus size motorcycle trousers covers what to measure, how to read a size table, which cuts give you room to move and how to get the length right. Our sizes run up to 5XL in the Redback jeans, 4XL in the RoadVault and 3XL in the Sentinel.
Plus Size Motorcycle Trousers: What Changes on the Bike
On the bike your hips bend, your knees rise and your torso tilts forward. Your waist, seat and thighs all take up more room sitting than standing, and fabric that has to stretch across that shape pulls at the hip crease and behind the knee. That is why the right riding size can differ from your everyday size, and why the cut matters as much as the number on the label.
It also means the top of each size range matters. The size table on every product page lists waist and height per size: the Redback reaches a 127–136 cm waist in 5XL, the RoadVault 116–124 cm in 4XL and the Sentinel 110–118 cm in 3XL. If you are near the top of a range, check the current table before choosing a colour.
Measure Your Fullest Points, Not Just Your Waist
The size finder on each product page asks for height and waist. That is a good start, but it cannot see your seat or thighs, which matter more than the waist for some riders. Take four measurements, wearing the base layer you would ride in:
- Waist: where the trousers will sit, standing and then seated and leaning forward. Use the larger number.
- Seat: around the fullest part of your hips.
- Thigh: around the fullest part of the upper leg.
- Inseam: crotch to hem on a pair that already sits right over your riding boots.
If your waist and thigh point to different sizes, let the larger one decide. Between two sizes, take the larger one: the product pages give the same advice, because trousers pull a little more in the riding position. Our motorcycle trousers size guide covers the full measuring routine.
Near the top of the range, start with the Redback: stretch denim with a breathable mesh lining, up to 5XL, in three leg lengths.
Stretch, Cut and Fabric: What Gives You Room to Move
Stretch helps you move but cannot add capacity, so choose the size that fits your fullest point and let the fabric do the rest. The RoadVault cargo trousers have four-way stretch that keeps working when you are seated, and come in women's and men's fits up to 4XL; our guide to women's motorcycle trousers covers how the two differ.
A cargo cut generally leaves more room through the hip and thigh than a slim jean cut. The trade-off is bulk from six pockets, so keep them lightly loaded when you ride.
The Sentinel is the lighter option: Nyco stretch fabric that holds its shape, an adjustable hem (32–46 cm) and sizes S to 3XL. Leave room for layers too: a base layer adds volume at the waist and thigh, so try a pair on over what you wear in the coldest month you ride.
Big and Tall Riders: Getting the Length Right
Length matters as much as width, especially if you are tall. Seated with your knee bent, the hem should clear your boot: a short inseam rides up, a long one bunches over the boot.
The Redback jeans come in three leg lengths: 30 is a 76 cm inseam, 32 is 81 cm and 34 is 86 cm. The size tables also list a height range per size, up to 196–206 cm at 5XL (Redback) and 194–204 cm at 4XL (RoadVault). RoadVault and Sentinel are sold by size rather than leg length, so use the adjustable ankle cuffs or hem to set how they sit over the boot.
Common Questions
What is the largest size in NORDRYK motorcycle trousers?
It depends on the model. The Redback jeans go up to 5XL, the RoadVault to 4XL in both fits and the Sentinel to 3XL. Each product page has a size table with waist and height ranges to compare against your own measurements.
Is stretch fabric enough to fit a larger build?
Stretch improves movement but does not add room. Pick the size that suits your fullest measurement, then sit on a chair or the bike, raise a knee towards the tank and lean forward. Nothing should pull at the waist, seat or back of the knee.
How do I know when a pair no longer fits?
If the waist sits looser than it used to, the knees sag or a seam pulls, the fabric may have stretched or worn rather than your size having changed. Our guide to when to replace motorcycle riding trousers explains how to tell the difference.
NEXT STEP
Two more cuts to check against your measurements
RoadVault Cargo Trousers
Women's and men's fits, XXS to 4XL, with four-way stretch that keeps working when you are seated.
See the RoadVault →
Sentinel Trousers
Nyco fabric that stays light and holds its shape, in four colours and sizes S to 3XL.
See the Sentinel →