SOLD New Spyder Race Suit XL – Never Used

This is a GS suit with no pads.

...which makes it a Downhill suit. (But still great for Nastar or even full GS if you don't bash the gates.)

I'm new to racing, and this year will be my first race. So let me ask a dumb question--are these suits unisex? My racing career will probably be limited to the NASTAR race, so is not having padding OK?

Yes, they are.

Padding is only necessary if you hit gates.

Or the snow/ice

Some claim the padded suits are slightly warmer, but if you start with a downhill suit (not padded) and find you are brushing the gates then you can easily pick up a Stealth top for the arms and shoulders. It would not help for lower body padding that many of the fully padded GS suits have.

As for the sizing, a few sites like Reliable Racing have the Spyder size chart, but if you are taller than average, then you may have to go up a size for the length. They stretch but nothing worst than one riding up on you in the wrong places.

Is it possible for your suit to ride up on you in the RIGHT places? Sorry, I couldn't resist...

I have a bad disk in my lower back and history of pinched nerves and found that the suit wanted to put extra pressure on my spine because it wasn't long enough through the body, even though it seemed wide enough. I decided the time I might save wasn't worth the risk of further nerve damage in my back. I wear strechy ski pants and have a jacket of similar fabric. It seems nearly as aerodynamic as a ski suit. Another instance when the grownup side of me wins out!

Spyder speed suits tend to run slightly smaller than their actual size so make sure you get the proper
fit. I bought a new Spyder GS suit this year in size XL but had to ship it back in exchange for the XXL because the first was too tight in the shoulders, chest and waist areas. At 6-foot 195 lbs. I found that
the XXL fits best when buying Spyder speed suits -- especially if you race at night when it tends to get cold you'll need an extra base layer or two underneath the suit. If you are new to NASTAR racing or racing gates in general you could get away with the DH suit which is unpadded, but lean in to a gate one time at 35 to 40 mph. with your shoulder and you'll be screaming for your mamma and wishing you had pads! Good luck on your purchase.

Joe