How to Measure Yourself for Motorcycle Gear

Every size chart in motorcycle gear assumes you know your measurements. Most riders don't, so they guess off their T-shirt size and end up shipping gear back. Fifteen minutes with a tape measure fixes that for good, and with Yardstick Outfitters you'll only need to do it once.

What you need

A soft cloth tape measure, the tailor's kind. RevZilla's instructions call for a cloth tape [1].
A friend. RevZilla recommends getting a hand for best results [2]. It's hard to keep a tape level across your own back.
Light clothing. Size charts list body measurements, so measure against skin or a base layer [3].

Chest

Measure around the fullest part of your chest, under the armpits, with the tape parallel to the ground [4]. Breathe normally and don't add extra for a back protector, which RevZilla says almost never changes the fit enough to size up [2]. The exception is leather and race gear: RevZilla's sizing video suggests taking the measurement on a deep breath, which adds roughly ¼ to ¾ inch of room for a hard back protector [5]. Chest is usually the measurement that decides your jacket size. REV'IT!, for one, says to go by chest when chest and waist disagree [3].

Waist

This is where charts disagree. RevZilla's common chart instructions say your natural waistline, around the top of the hip bones and in line with the navel [4]. Their jacket guide says about an inch above the belly button [2]. Either way, your waist measurement is not your pants size [2]. Measure it fresh and keep the tape level.

Hips

Measure the widest part of your hips below the waist, pelvic bone to pelvic bone [4]. This matters most for pants and one-piece suits.

Inseam

From the highest point of your crotch, down the inside of your leg to the ankle [4]. Measure in your bare feet. Riding pants are cut for a bent-knee position, so check the product notes on length.

Arm: the tricky one

There are two ways to measure an arm, and charts don't always say which one they use:

Shoulder to wrist: from the top of the shoulder (acromion) down the outside of the arm to the wrist bone [4]. Alpinestars and Dainese charts use this [6][7].
Neck to wrist: from the base of the neck at the center of the spine, over the shoulder, down to the wrist [8].

RevZilla's rule of thumb: if a chart's sleeve numbers are in the 20-inch range, it's shoulder to wrist; if they're in the 30-inch range, it's from the spine [2]. Take both and write them down.

Height

No shoes, back against a wall, feet together, floor to the top of your head [4]. European brands like Dainese use height to choose between regular, short and tall cuts [7].

Hands

Wrap the tape around your hand behind the knuckles, not including the thumb, snug. Measure both hands and use the larger [4]. Some brands such as REV'IT! also ask for hand length, from the base of the palm to the tip of your middle finger [9].

Head

Wrap the tape just above your eyebrows and ears, around the widest point at the back. Measure twice and use the largest [10]. Then work out your head shape (round, intermediate or long oval), which matters as much as size [11]. See our Shoei helmet sizing guide for how.

Write it down once

Record everything in centimeters and inches. Euro brands chart in cm and US brands often in inches. Then match to the chart on the exact product page every time, because charts vary by model. Brand guides: Alpinestars, Dainese, Klim, REV'IT!.

Measure once. We'll do the chart math.

Yardstick Outfitters saves your measurements, translates them into each brand's size, and alerts you when your size drops in price. Join the waitlist →

Sources

Size charts change. Always check the chart on the exact product page before you buy. Last checked October 15, 2026.