Outerwear and Clothing for (freakishly) TALL climbers?

I'm one of those extra-tall people that climb. 6'6", 215 lbs with a high ape index. A great build for climbing, but sucks for finding technical gear that fits (ie. shells, fleeces, pants, shirts, etc...). If I go with most gear manufacturers, in order to get the length I need in the sleeves, torso, or legs I have to get the XL-XXL sizes and with my trim build these pieces fit like garbage sacks.

The only brands I've found that make tall technical gear are First Ascent from Eddie Bauer, and some few-odd REI brand pieces. What's keeping brands like Patagonia, Marmot, Mountain Hardware, etc... from making lines of gear with tall sizes? Anyone know of manufacturers that cater to taller outdoors enthusiasts? I like the First Ascent line a lot but there are only so many pieces there to choose from...

Any other tall climbers out there: how have you worked around finding gear that meets the technical demands of climbing/backpacking that fits you?

Thanks!
Scott

It's probably cuz most of the really good climbers seem to be super short. I see alot of "pro" climbers living in Boulder, and they make me feel tall at 5 9'.

Maybe being smaller helps them to be lighter...

Scott McMahon wrote:It's probably cuz most of the really good climbers seem to be super short. I see alot of "pro" climbers living in Boulder, and they make me feel tall at 5 9'. Maybe being smaller helps them to be lighter...

Yes, I think that's a definite influence on the gear-makers. I have spent most of my life feeling like a bean-pole, only in climbing can a thin guy like me feel like a fat-a$$.

In professional climbing, the only person I can think of that is exceptionally tall is Dean Potter at 6'5". But he only goes 180-190ish, again making me feel like a sloth... lol.

Beyond clothing

Perhaps these guys can help?

At 6'-5", 200 lbs, I feel your pain. My biggest challenge has always been climbing shoes -- thank god for the TC pro!

As I think about what brands I have, it seems to be mostly Arcteryx, Cloudveil (pre-sellout), and MontBell for the outerlayers. Arcteryx made a lot of their pants in a tall version a few years a go; haven't checked lately. Cloudveil occasionally did as well. MontBell is funny -- many of their items I don't come close to fitting inthe biggest size, and then I'll find a pair of pants that I have to roll up (my height is all in my legs, making this even more suprising). From your profile, it looks like you are near the Front Range, so stop by the MontBell store in Boulder some time and see what fits.

I've had good luck with REI for base layers (MTS I think they call it), and Patagonia for things like R1 fleece.

big retail manuf ... EB FA, land's end, LL bean ... dead bird makes a few as well

you wont look as cool in yr EB pants, but youll save money and theyll fit ...

and theyll work just as well as any pattaguci or dead bird

i am 6'7'', 5.10 makes shoes. Carhartt makes pants. Arcteryx jackets fit me well. I still have trouble finding polyester shirts that fit...

I have some BD softshell pants that are long enough. But my softshell top from mountain hardwear rides up my back.... drives me crazy!

ive got a 36" inseam, arcteryx is best, mountain hardwear used to make some tall sizes but quit, old cloudveil fit well, not sure about the newer stuff. i think north face makes some tall sizes but i haven't tried it. patagonia pants require gaiters for me.

I am 6'2 180 with a 36 inch sleeve. I just got the EB mountain guide jacket in large tall, which gave me almost too much extra length. It was the only softshell I could find that fit me well and it seems to be pretty good quality. I'd look into all the first ascent gear, plus they have a similar money back guarantee to REI, so worst case scenario, just bring it on back.

Patagonia R1 Hoody. Not only is it the best base/mid layer around IMO, the handwarmer/thumb holes mean it fits my arms. I have to bend my elbows to get my thumbs in the holes( and it's tight if I straighten them), but worn regularly you get an extra few inches of wrist coverage.

Basically I only buy uppers that have this feature now as I hate it when the cuffs of most tops get stuck on my forearms with 2" inches of exposed wrist.

Noticed a couple comments on various forums about Cloudveil selling out. Anyone care to fill me in?

And you can still find the Arcteryx pants in tall. Bought a pair recently. Im 6'2" and 180 and do feel rather large in the climbing community... Which is hilarious because Im the runt in the family compared to all my midwestern corn fed cousins at 6'6" plus and 250 plus.

Cloudveil got bought by some holding company in Connecticut who closed the Jackson operation and is moving the whole thing somewhere else (probably China). I don't remember all the details, but there was a thread about it a few months back when it happened. Their clothes disappeared for a bit while the company retooled, but have started to reemerge recently. Haven't looked at them yet.

Well I guess I'm a real freak at 6'6" and 230 with size 14 shoes 47 euro. Arc'teryx XL/Long are perfect and XL climbing jackets. I have several pair of Mountain Hardware pants that fit OK but don't quite last as long. I wear 47 La Sportiva boots and climbing shoes and they fit like a glove.

There is one more option which I'm getting ready to try on someone else's testimony:

beyondclothing.com/

They custom make fleece and shells for extreme winter climbers. I've had two different guys I like endorse them.

Chris90 wrote: I still have trouble finding polyester shirts that fit...

Under Armor?

Rob Schichtel wrote:Well I guess I'm a real freak at 6'6" and 230 with size 14 shoes 47 euro. Arc'teryx XL/Long are perfect and XL climbing jackets. I have several pair of Mountain Hardware pants that fit OK but don't quite last as long. I wear 47 La Sportiva boots and climbing shoes and they fit like a glove. There is one more option which I'm getting ready to try on someone else's testimony: beyondclothing.com/ They custom make fleece and shells for extreme winter climbers. I've had two different guys I like endorse them.

I had a truly awful experience with Beyond Clothing that involved four month of waiting (three times longer than promised, two more weeks, two more weeks, ad infinity!), non existent communication, and a product I didn't order (wrong options). They gave me a ton of shit when I tried to return the product (even though it was wrong) and I ended up doing a chargeback.

Because of Beyond Clothing I avoid custom softgoods like the plague.

bearbreeder wrote:big retail manuf ... EB FA, land's end, LL bean ... dead bird makes a few as well you wont look as cool in yr EB pants, but youll save money and theyll fit ... and theyll work just as well as any pattaguci or dead bird

I've been extremely happy with my First Ascent gear as I mentioned earlier. Bean and Land's End seem to cater to casual outdoor pursuits only.

My issue really is with pants - I need a 36" inseam - at least - and 38" is really, truly, what is desired. I don't think any stock manufacturers make these. Most gear manufacturers "tall" pants are only 34" inseam (akaik that includes Arc Teryx too).

Looks like the custom route is the only way to go to get truly well fitting technical pants. Otherwise I'll be looking ready for the next flood to come.

I know this is an OOOOOLLLDDD Thread, but just in case anyone is still checking this out;

LYKOS DESIGNS!! They make all of their trousers in long inseams, INCLUDING UNHEMMED!!! I was stoked when I found out about them.

www.lykosdesigns.com

Maybe a bit heavy for some folks, but I beat the hell out of my trousers- so I appreciate when things are on the tougher side. 

Good to know I'm not alone at 6'7" 215. I also use a ton of first ascent gear—and it still fits big on the body.

Kuhl’s got some great pants that go up to 36” inseam- some are as comfortable as sweatpants.   But they need to pick up their tall game for upper body. 

Hey guys I'm 6'6" 210 lbs size 15 feet. Extra long arms w/ a wingspan of 6'11". 34" waist 36" inseam. Serious runner and backpacker, casual/beginner climber.

Large tall at LL Bean and EB fits me well, though I could always use an extra 1/2 inch or inch on the sleeves. Really wish Patagonia made tall sizes, though as people have said the large R1 does fit ok (and is an amazing piece of clothing).

Is Lykos out of business? Site has no product info and no podcast episode since 2018.