Plus Size Mountain Biking Apparel: Custom Shirts and Shorts for Every Body

Mountain biking apparel in large and plus sizes is consistently harder to find at bike shops and cycling brands than standard sizing. The Bear Grips Pro Shops catalog runs through adult 3XL on most shirt styles and includes women's biker shorts and high-waist leggings in extended sizing. Custom club shops can carry the full size range from youth small through 3XL in one design without pre-ordering inventory in every size. Here is what is available for bigger and curvy riders and how clubs include everyone in their apparel program.

Extended Sizing Available for Mountain Biking Apparel

The catalog includes several styles with genuine extended sizing:

Shirts (adult sizes through 3XL): most shirt styles in the catalog run from adult small through adult 3XL. This includes the Sport-Tek Men's Moisture-Wicking Tee, the Next Level Premium CVC Jersey Tee, the Airlume Cotton Athletic Tee (Bear Grips), and the Comfort Colors Oversized Boxy Crop Tee. A rider who typically shops the 2XL or 3XL range has the same design options as a rider ordering a medium.

Women's shirts (through 2XL on most styles): the Women's Favorite Tee (Bella+Canvas) and the Women's Premium Cotton Tee (Next Level) run through women's 2XL. The Performance Workout Tank and the Women's Flowy Scoop Muscle Tank also have extended sizing options. Women riders who find standard athletic tanks cut too short or too narrow have better options in the flowy muscle tank and the boxy crop style.

Women's Signature Biker Shorts (Bear Grips): available in extended sizing. A genuine biker short (not a padded cycling chamois) with a tight compression fit. Popular for casual trail use, bike park days, and post-ride wear for women who prefer a fitted lower body option over baggy shorts.

Women's High-Waist Pocket Leggings and Women's High-Waist Capri Leggings (Bear Grips): extended sizing available. High-waist cut provides coverage and compression for riders who find low-rise options uncomfortable during the forward lean position of mountain biking.

What Plus Size and Curvy Mountain Bikers Are Looking For

The searches "mountain bike shorts for curvy women" and "mountain bike clothes for big guys" reflect a specific frustration: most technical MTB clothing stops at XL or 2XL, and the sizing is calibrated for lean athletic builds. What bigger and curvy riders consistently report wanting:

• Inseam that does not ride up: baggy shorts with a longer inseam stay in place better on curvy thighs than short athletic shorts. The 7-inch athletic mesh shorts are a better choice than 3-inch options for this reason.
• Shirts that cover the back during a riding position: the forward lean of mountain biking exposes the lower back on short shirts. Longer-cut shirts and performance tees with a full-length back panel solve this. The Comfort Colors Oversized Boxy Crop Tee is popular because the oversized cut provides generous coverage even in a forward riding position.
• Waistband that stays put: high-waist construction on leggings and biker shorts prevents the waistband from rolling during activity. The Bear Grips High-Waist Pocket Leggings specifically address this with a wide waistband designed to stay in place.
• No "custom sizing" premium: at Bear Grips Pro Shops, a 3XL shirt costs the same as a medium in the same style. Extended sizing does not carry a premium per unit.

Bear Grips Pro Shops: Custom Apparel for Your Team. No Minimums. Free Shipping.

How MTB Club Shops Include Every Rider with Extended Sizing

Mountain biking club shops that do not offer extended sizing exclude members without saying so explicitly. A rider who needs a 2XL and finds the shop stops at XL does not buy the shirt and does not feel fully part of the club.

The no-minimum model removes the barrier to inclusive sizing. A club shop can list sizes XS through 3XL on every product without pre-buying inventory in each size. Only the sizes that are ordered get printed. The 3XL option sitting in the product listing costs the club nothing until a rider with that size need clicks "add to cart."

Setup recommendation for inclusive club shops:

1. Enable the full size range (XS through 3XL) on every adult product in your shop.
2. Add both a unisex tee and a women's-specific cut of the same design. Women riders who prefer a fitted women's cut have a dedicated option rather than ordering a men's style in a smaller size.
3. Add the Women's Biker Shorts or High-Waist Leggings as an alternative lower-body option alongside the athletic shorts. Curvy women riders specifically request fitted compression lower-body options over baggy shorts.

See the women's MTB apparel guide for the full list of women's-specific styles and the club shop setup guide for how to structure a product lineup that serves all demographics.

Style Notes for Plus Size and Bigger Mountain Bikers

Mountain biking culture is more size-inclusive than road cycling. The baggy shorts and relaxed tee aesthetic that dominates trail riding is inherently more flattering across body types than form-fitting lycra. A few style notes from the catalog that work specifically well for bigger frames:

• Comfort Colors Oversized Boxy Crop Tee: the intentionally oversized boxy cut is designed to look deliberate on larger frames rather than stretched. Available in a wide color range and has a "designer casual" look that big riders report feeling good in both on and off the trail.
• Bear Grips Men's Signature Athletic Shorts: a slightly more structured short than the mesh style. Better defined waistband and a cut that holds its shape better on larger frames during activity.
• Long sleeve sun shirt: the Men's Moisture-Wicking Long Sleeve covers the arms and lower back effectively in extended sizes. Useful for bigger riders who find the sitting riding position exposes the lower back on shorter shirts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are mountain biking shorts available in plus sizes?

The athletic mesh shorts and fitness shorts in the Bear Grips catalog run through 2XL in most styles. For a fitted option, the Women's Signature Biker Shorts and High-Waist Leggings include extended sizing. These are not padded cycling chamois shorts; they are athletic and compression-style garments.

Can I get a custom mountain biking shirt in 3XL?

Yes. Most shirt styles in the catalog run through adult 3XL. A custom club design on a 3XL shirt is the same price per unit as the same design on a medium.

Do MTB club shops carry plus sizes without charging extra?

Yes. Bear Grips Pro Shops does not charge a size premium. A 3XL shirt costs the same as a medium in the same style. Club shops list all sizes without pre-ordering inventory in each size.

What women's mountain biking shorts are available for curvy riders?

The Women's Signature Biker Shorts (Bear Grips) and the Ladies 3-inch Fitness Shorts (Sport-Tek) both come in extended sizing. The Women's High-Waist Pocket Leggings provide full-length coverage with a fitted waistband that stays in place during riding.