Shortening cordura pants?

[awa355]

Does anyone know if it's possible to shorten the legs on Cordura pants. The zip would be the biggest hassle.

I had wondered if an Upholster or Saddlery shop would be best suited. Anyone ever tried?? Cheers.

[sleemanj]

Anything is possible, but remember the important bit is going to be to have any knee armour in the right place, it's no good taking a foot off the cuffs if you wind up with the knees around your ankles :-)

Probably not that easy a job to do properly really if there is a lot to take off, best to get pants which fit pretty closely to begin with.

If I were you, I'd try some local tailors/seamstresses for starters though, bound to be some in your yellow pages.

[CookMySock]

Well you can either lengthen your legs, or narrow your arse. One is much less painful than the other.

But seriously, theres three layers in them plus the zip, so I think you would be asking a lot.

Steve

[allycatz]

Probably easier to take a tuck in legs between knees and lower calf. Tuck could be stitched flat against the main body of the leg and would look like a decorative feature.

[Ratti]

Would have to see them on you to know for sure. Are you particularly short for your weight? why do you think the legs need to be shortened?

Its not a biggie to shorten the legs. As sleemanj said tho, its really REALLY important that the armour is located correctly. If you've inherited 2nd hand pants, you may be better off getting new ones, for a number of reasons.

If you have or are considering new pants, then go to several shops and try different brands. Ask if any of them have different leg lengths avaialble in each size.

An upholsterer is your best bet to have them shortened. They have a heavy enough machine to stitch through the type of fabric, a dressmakers machine will not do a good job. It may be that you can find one who has the experience to pull them apart and rebuild the armour pocket in the right place. It'll cost a bit tho, again I'd seriously suggest trying on lots of brands to find a good fit.

If you are an awkward size and shape, then you will need to have some custom made. I dont know of anyone in Te Awamutu, but if you ask around the bike shops in your town and in Hamilton you will most likely find someone to custom make your gear.

If I can answer any other questions for you then fire away, either here on via pm is fine.



If you want to ask questions then go ahead.

[sleemanj]

Worth mentioning, that I had a pair of pants custom made to fit me, by a company in Pakistan, and all up landed they were less than $300 from memory. High denier cordura, armoured, all the usual stuff. I wouldn't mind betting that it could cost nearly that to properly modify a pair if you needed armour moving etc...

Search my previous posts in this "Bike Gear" forum and you'll find where I wrote about them.

[awa355]

I'll just flick these off on trade me. Shortening them was just a passing thought. Had originaly bought this size so they would fit over my jeans. Along with the jacket they were from the bottam end of the market, Have finally learnt after 40 years of riding that buying cheap, you get what you pay for. ( both jacket and pants leak). I'll go back to leather and carry a light rainsuit.

[Ratti]

Sounds like a plan.

Economising on gear can be a waste of time.

You'll be able to find leather gear that will go over your jeans if you really want to go that way.

[mazz1972]

If you decide to stick with cordura, some brands do pants in both standard and short leg. Mobig do and I think Neo Mugello as well.