So I ordered a FirstGear Mesh Tex in Hi-Viz Yellow and a TourMaster Sonora in Hi-Viz Yellow.

Both fit relatively fine in the torso, (I like the 3/4 length of the TourMaster a bit better) but...Holy Mackeral...the sleeves!

At least on the TourMaster, it has velcro adjustments that you can cinch up the sleeves tightly around the wrist and then adjustments at the top and bottom of the elbow armor to sort of logistically hold it in the correct position, but then I have all this billowing extra fabric bunched up between my shoulder and my elbow. Think: Michelin Man.

And the FirstGear -- the bottom of the elbow armor literally touches the palm of my hand, and the upper edge of the elbow armor begins below my elbow...that's how low it is on my arms.

I guess if you weigh 100# and are able to order a Small or an Extra Small, well then maybe the sleeves would be short enough.

<sigh> I'm 5'0" and about 128# (thank you Hormone Replacement for those lovely extra pounds ) Has anyone else had similar problems? Can a seamstress do anything? Are there any brands where the ladies jackets are more short-arm friendly?

I don't like the cut and fit of First Gear's jackets. Bought a waterproof one of theirs and it looked like crap. Shoulders too wide, sleeves way too long. Armor is mostly on my forearm and just touching my elbow.

If you can, try on a Scorpion jacket. Fit is perfect on my arms and shoulders! This is what I currently wear http://www.revzilla.com/product/scorpion-womens-nip-tuck-jacket Plus that elastic on the sides is so awesome.

I think a lot of these jackets are just slightly differently cut men's size jackets.

I often have this problem, because I have relatively short arms and legs.

Look inside the sleeves, usually it's not hard to move the shoulder and elbow armor.
On more expensive gear, there's even velcro so that they can be easily positioned.

I also used to fret about the sleeve and pant leg length, too.
But I've realised that pant length doesn't matter much when you're wearing boots
and sleeve length matters less when you're wearing armored gloves.

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~~~~~ Linda ~~~~~