One Size Fits... Athletes?

I recently bought a pair of Under Armour athletic underwear. While looking for my "size", I noticed the box said "One Size Fits All Athletes." Intrigued, I purchased them with high hopes. When I got home, I decided to give them the true fit test. I slid them on with no problem and they seemed to provide adequate coverage. These are athletic underwear, however, and I am going to be moving in all sorts of crazy ways. So I tested them out. Knee lifts. Run in place. Bend over, stand up. Squat down, stand up. In conclusion, the only workout I was going to get in these athletic underwear was a wedgie workout and a raw butt.

I am a woman. I do not starve myself. I do not follow the diet of the week routine. I am not a vegetarian nor a vegan, but I do not eat unhealthy. I eat salads on a daily basis, take vitamins, eat plenty of protein and drink plenty of water. I am, per my doctor, a healthy woman. I am a curvy figured woman.

Being a VERY active woman, I consider myself athletic. I am not a pro. I do not pay to compete against others. I do not train endless hours. My toughest competitor, my biggest critic, is myself. I enjoy being active. I enjoy challenging myself. I enjoy competing on a recreational/social level, even if it's just for bragging rights or Strava QOMs.  I am an athletic woman. I am an athlete.

So why, WHY does the industry try to impress upon us that if we are not a leggy, size 2, curveless female, we are not "fit" for their apparel?

I am a mountain biker. I also road ride, run, play basketball, hike... I wear a medium. I wear a size 8. Some days a 10. (It was a rough winter.) However, when it comes to finding clothes for biking... ugh.

I have been biking for several years and this has been a constant pattern.

First with the roadie clothes. Why are the jerseys so short? I have a longer torso and short legs. Even when I'm wearing an XL, because that is what the cycling industry considers my Medium sized body, the jerseys are too short.

Mountain biking clothes are the same. The other day I found some nice pair of Fox women's baggie shorts in a LBS, and they even had a pair of XL. OMG! (Nobody ever has the larger sizes in stock.) I go to try them on... I can't get them over my hips. In disbelief, I take them off and look at the tag again,it says XL. I hold out the pants in an attempt to grasp how an XL will not fit me, and then I see it. The rectangle shape of the pants. There is no room for hips in these things, and the legs are skinny too. What exactly does an XL mountain biker chic look like?

I commented to the owner of the LBS about my distress and he comforted my aggravation by informing me how "not alone" I am.

Here is a shout out to the athletic industry, One Size DOES NOT Fit All Athletes!