What Is Sizing Like at Dare2b?

BY ELLA BLAKE — FASHION STYLIST | TELLAR FASHION HUB — ALWAYS HONEST, UNBIASED & UNSPONSORED POST

Dare2b sizing is generally true to size and follows UK high street sizing conventions — most women find their usual size works well, though some activewear styles in the range can come up a touch small, so it's worth being aware of that before you order.

I've been a fan of Dare2b for a while now, mostly because I spend a reasonable amount of time outdoors and I refuse to spend a fortune on technical kit. I still remember the first time I pulled on a Dare2b fleece and thought, "this is suspiciously good for the price." Founded in 1999 as a sister brand to Regatta, they started in ski wear and have since branched out into running, cycling, hiking and everything in between — and they've clearly worked out their sizing along the way. But there are a few things worth knowing before you hit 'add to basket', especially if you're ordering activewear or buying across different product categories.

GENERAL SIZING: THE GOOD NEWS FIRST

For most of their range — jackets, waterproofs, fleeces and general outdoor layers — Dare2b sizing is reliably true to size and comparable to what you'd find at M&S. That's actually quite reassuring, because M&S sizing tends to be consistent and realistic. If you're a size 12 on the high street, you'll almost certainly be a size 12 in a Dare2b jacket. Reviewers consistently flag this as one of the brand's strengths — there's no vanity sizing, no funny business, just a straightforward size that does what it says on the label.

Sizes run from a UK 8 (XS) through to UK 22–24 and beyond depending on the garment, with both numeric and alpha sizing used across the range. Generally speaking, numeric sizing is available on tailored or structured pieces, while alpha sizing (S/M/L etc.) appears more in softshell and sports layers.

ACTIVEWEAR: SIZE UP TO BE SAFE

Here's where it gets slightly more nuanced. The activewear side of the Dare2b range — leggings, gym tops, base layers and running kit — can come up slightly smaller than standard high street sizing. This isn't unusual for technical sportswear, which is often cut closer to the body intentionally to reduce drag and stay put during movement, but it does mean you might want to size up if you're between sizes or if you prefer a bit of breathing room.

Several reviewers have noted ordering their usual size in Dare2b leggings and finding they needed to go a size up — not because the quality wasn't there, but because the fit was simply more snug than expected. My advice? If you're a 10–12 and ordering leggings, go for the 12–14. You'll still get the support and shape, and you won't be wrestling with them every time you put them on.

SKI WEAR & OUTDOOR JACKETS: NAILING THE FIT

This is where Dare2b really shines. Their ski jackets, salopettes and outdoor waterproofs are well-proportioned and reliably sized. The key thing to remember with ski wear is that you're usually layering underneath, so even if your usual size fits perfectly, it's worth thinking about whether you'll be wearing a thermal base layer and a mid-layer beneath. If so, your usual size should accommodate this fine — the cut is designed for exactly that — but if you're very much in between sizes on the ski kit, go one up.

One thing that's come up in reviews over the years is sleeve length on some styles — a small number of customers have found the arms on certain jackets slightly long. This isn't consistent across the range, but it's worth checking measurements if you're petite or shorter in the arm.

WHAT ABOUT PLUS SIZES?

Dare2b does stock a decent extended range — certainly more inclusive than some of the more premium outdoor brands — though the plus-size range is broader in some categories than others. Ski wear in particular can be tricky across the industry for plus-size shoppers, but Dare2b makes a reasonable effort here. My advice is always to measure yourself properly rather than guess from a size label — your bust, waist and hip measurements against the brand's size guide are far more reliable than hoping a size 18 at one brand will behave like a size 18 at another.

MY TOP TIPS FOR SHOPPING DARE2B

For jackets, waterproofs and fleeces — your usual UK size should work perfectly. Dare2b sizing here is as reliable as it gets.
For activewear, leggings and base layers — consider going one size up, especially if you're between sizes. The cut is athletic and snug by design.
For ski wear — go true to size, accounting for layering. The garments are cut to work with base and mid-layers beneath.
Measure yourself properly — bust, waist, hips — and cross-reference with Dare2b's size guide on their website before ordering.
If you're petite or have a shorter torso, double-check the length measurements on jackets before committing.

HIGH STREET ALTERNATIVES WORTH KNOWING

Love the Dare2b aesthetic but want to shop around? These brands are well worth a look for similar styles or if you need something to fill the gaps in your outdoor/active wardrobe:

Sweaty Betty — the gold standard for women's activewear on the high street. Consistently excellent sizing, brilliant quality and genuinely flattering cuts. If you want leggings that actually stay up, start here.
Lululemon — premium activewear with a cult following for good reason. Known for precision sizing and incredibly durable technical fabrics. A step up in price but worth it for year-round kit.
Gymshark — brilliant for affordable activewear with a sporty edge. Tends to run slightly small so size up, similar to Dare2b activewear. Great range of colours and styles.
Barbour — a classic British outdoor brand with heritage in waterproof and technical outerwear. Sizing is reliable and fits well; their quilted jackets and waxed coats are perennial wardrobe heroes.
Superdry — strong for casual ski-adjacent and outdoor-ready styling. Their sizing can run a touch large on some styles, so check measurements before ordering.
Fat Face — relaxed outdoor and coastal clothing with consistent UK sizing. Great for layering pieces, fleeces and casual active wear that works both on and off the trail.
Seasalt Cornwall — a brilliant British brand for outdoor-ready, hard-wearing pieces with a more relaxed fit. Sizing tends to be true to size with a slightly generous cut, which is great if you find activewear cuts too tight.
Timberland — known for rugged outdoor footwear but their apparel range is solid too. A good option for technical casual pieces with heritage outdoor credibility.

TWO INDEPENDENT BRANDS TO TRY

Passenger Clothing — a genuinely brilliant sustainable outdoor brand, beloved by the outdoor and surf community. Their sizing is true to size and they do particularly good women's fleeces, base layers and trail-ready pieces. Far less mainstream than Dare2b but absolutely worth discovering — sustainability credentials are excellent too.
Ronhill — a British running brand with serious technical credentials and a loyal following among serious runners. Their running leggings and jackets are brilliantly engineered, and sizing is consistent and reliable. A great independent find if you're specifically after performance running kit.

PREMIUM & LUXURY ALTERNATIVES

If budget isn't a concern and you want to invest in technical outdoor kit that will genuinely last decades, these are the brands worth knowing:

Patagonia — the premium outdoor brand with arguably the strongest sustainability credentials in the game. Technical, beautifully made and built to last. Sizing is true to size with a slightly generous active fit — check their detailed size charts online.
Arc'teryx — at the very top of the outdoor luxury ladder. Canadian-made, technically exceptional and eye-wateringly expensive. If you want a ski jacket that will outlast everything else in your wardrobe, this is it. Sizing tends to run slightly slim, so sizing up is often recommended for women.

NEVER GUESS YOUR SIZE AGAIN — TELLAR.CO.UK

Dare2b is just one of over 1,500 brands in the Tellar sizing database. If you've ever wasted time on a return because your usual size didn't fit, Tellar was built exactly for you. It's the UK's leading clothing sizing tool — free, fast and genuinely brilliant.

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