Hemming/Shortening Rain Pants?

[bostonbrahmin]

I purchased a pair of Nike Hypershield pants for a Bandon trip earlier this year. They worked amazingly well, but even in a size small are too long for my 5'9" height and I'm looking to get them shortened. They have a zipper and a velcro enclosure at the bottom. Anyone have experience with hemming this type of material or suggestions on what to tell a tailor? Thanks in advance!

[DukeOfChinoHills]

Find a really really good tailor or seamstress. Ask if they've done such an alteration before. Pray they do it correctly.

[fore_life]

Instead of having them shorten from the bottom, they can can sew in darts on the legs to shorten

[bostonbrahmin]

Instead of having them shorten from the bottom, they can can sew in darts on the legs to shorten

 

Good idea, would that involve there being excess fabric folded within the pants though?

[Redbird]

You remember tight rolling your jeans in the 90s? That ish is making a comeback!

[fore_life]

Instead of having them shorten from the bottom, they can can sew in darts on the legs to shorten

 

Good idea, would that involve there being excess fabric folded within the pants though?

 

Maybe, but I think some pants from old navy, rei, lululemon etc have a similar dart(s)

[ode1]

I have short legs and ran into same problem.....what I had seamstress do is shorten the back side as that was the side that was catching the turf and at times catch under the shoe, so the back side would look like-

 

/'''''''''\

 

So it's hemmed up the back around to the sides and then stops, so no messing with the zipper. Front portion is longer, but fall over the side and front portion of the shoe, and the back no longer drags on the ground or catches. Crude but effective.

[HackZogan]

I just took my FJ hydrolite rain pants that have a snap and zipper to my seamstress. I told her to just chop it right at the zipper and hem it up fully expecting to lose the zipper and snap option. Much to my surprise, when I picked them up she had moved the zipper and the snap, and the only way they don't look brand new is because the FJ logo on the leg is gone now.

 

Long story short, if you have a good seamstress, what you are wanting shouldn't be a big deal for her to accomplish.

[sheppy335]

I agree with posters giid seamtress will save the zipper

[Matt J]

One trick next time you buy is that some of the outdoor clothing companies like ArcTeryx make a 'short' that's usually 2 inches less in the inseam.

 

I bought a pair of FJ pants at Bandon, sold them when I got home, and bought a pair of ArcTeryx paclite backpacking pants. They fold up smaller and fit me better.

[jmconnell4]

I went to a good tailor for mine and they were able to make it look pretty good and the zipper/ buttons on the bottom are still usable

[Bobbylee1865]

ProQuip has inseam specific pants so you don't need to hem.

[Shakester]

Most of my rain pants are long as well. I just fold the waist band over and it helps. Not the greatest look, but who cares if you're wearing a jacket.

[Truman]

A seamstress will do it. Probably $15. I have mine done.

[RickK]

I would be afraid of any type of alteration not at the bottom of the pant legs...such as darts or any type of other alteration not at the bottom. What would poking holes (sewing) do to the waterproof properties?

[soregongolfer]

I feel your pain. I'm 5'5" and roll my waistband down. I approached a seamstress once and she told me she couldn't do anything because of the zippers and buttons at the bottom.

[Hateto3Putt]

That really sounds like an entry level job for someone who knows what they're doing.

 

My guy Guido (I kid you not) can do anything with anything when it comes to a needle and a thread.

 

He made a waterproof pullover, into a waterproof pullover with Zip Off Sleeves.

 

You need to find your own Guido, they're a dying breed, but they exist.

 

[malamig]

Proquip lets you order your specific inseam when you order the pants.

[bostonbrahmin]

The issue for me mainly is that I already have rain pants I really like - the new Nike Hypershield pants. They're just too dang long. Most likely I'll be searching for my own Guido that can do the correct alterations, as rolling the waistband down won't leave me enough space to be comfortable.

[@_the_crook]

in this day and age those craftspeople are difficult to locate.

look for seamstresses if a tailor is not available. good ones can do amazing work.

as has been stated - a fading art form.

[Guia]

Have you considered Growth Pills? :swoon:

[MattyO1984]

I know the feeling, had similar issues previously - a big belly and short legs was not a good combination so back then, I could only find waterproof trousers in a regular length leg. Any good tailor should be able to deal with that issue. I had a good one in my home town, I had him do a lot with suits for work as well.

[Carl Spackler3]

You remember tight rolling your jeans in the 90s? That ish is making a comeback!

i actually do this with great success

[6thFairway]

I just dropped two pairs of Footjoy rain pants at my local tailor and she seemed like she had it under control. Took a look at the velcro and hemming, and asked if I wanted it exactly the way it was, but 2" shorter. I said yes. She said they'd be ready next week. I have high expectations- this place does a lot of work that gets good review on much more expensive/important clothing. We will see.

[burgerdog]

On 3/13/2019 at 1:38 PM, 6thFairway said:

I just dropped two pairs of Footjoy rain pants at my local tailor and she seemed like she had it under control. Took a look at the velcro and hemming, and asked if I wanted it exactly the way it was, but 2" shorter. I said yes. She said they'd be ready next week. I have high expectations- this place does a lot of work that gets good review on much more expensive/important clothing. We will see.

 

How did it turn out? I have some FJ HydroTour rain paints I'd like to shorten by an inch or two but not sure how that kind of work would turn out.