Cutting Up and Hemming Arc'teryx Gamma LT Pants

No doubt about it that I have short legs. My inseam is somewhere in the neighborhood of 29 to 30 inches. 

It is rare that I find a pair of soft shell pants that actually fit my leg length. Being short with thick legs does not help either (think sprinter not video gamer). I do own some Arc’teryx pants for skiing that Arc’teryx thankfully offers in a short (30”) inseam. This time around I needed a soft shell pant for trekking and finding something not super skinny tight and long proved to be challenging. The closest pant I could find was (again thankfully) the Arc’teryx Zeta LT. Fit was optimal everywhere except the leg length. 

I determined I would have to take matters into my own hands and cut these down to size. 

I spent two days searching for other pants as I contemplated cutting down the legs on the Zetas. With the clock ticking, before leaving for Patagonia, I got to work. 

Here are the steps I took:

• Determined desired length
• Marked folds with white chalk
• Cut to length
• Folded hem and used Aquaseal and paper clamps to secure
• Sewed at the top of the hem and bottom  

Losing the adjustable cuff was not an issue for my purposes.

When cutting use a new sharp blade like Olfa and a cutting mat.

I used Aquaseal to help secure the hem and prevent fraying.

Inexpensive clamping option.

2mm stitch length.

Done.

After shortening the pants I packed them up and was off. During the trip I encountered rain, sleet, and snow and the pants were outstanding and the length worked out perfect.