Can Ski Pants Be Hemmed? Adjustment Cost
Finding ski gear that fits your body type well can be challenging. For example, ski pants might fit in length ok but be too large around the waist, which is common in some children. Or you might have the opposite problem, and pants that fit well around the waist and thighs, are far too long.
Thankfully, it is possible to tailor your ski pants when necessary. Many people have found that they can easily adjust the length of ski pants by hemming them. The same goes for taking in ski pants to make the waist smaller.
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Do Your Ski Pants Need to Be Adjusted?
When you try on ski pants for the first time, keep in mind that they will not fit like typical trousers. In fact, if you aren’t wearing any shoes, you’ll notice that the pants might touch the floor and bunch up around your feet. That does not meet that your pants are too long. You must keep in mind that once you put your ski boots on, the pants will rise and will no longer be able to reach the floor or even the tops of your feet.
Before you decide that your pants are too long and you need to hem them, try them on with your ski boots. If you do not have any ski boots on hand, the next best thing is to try them on with regular snow boots. If you find that you still step on the hem of the pants and they drag on the ground, or if they cause you to trip or stumble, you need to shorten your ski pants.
When is it Worth the Effort to Tailor Your Ski Pants?
If you’re in the market for a new pair of ski pants and you’re finding that most of them are too long, it might indicate that you will only need to alter the length of the pants after the purchase. However, make sure you’ve tried on several styles and brands before purchasing a pair that is too long. Every brand will fit a little differently, and if you look long enough, you might be able to find the perfect pair.
Make sure when you’re shopping for new ski pants, you check the measurement of the inseam. That way, you won’t waste time trying on pants that are far too long. After you’ve done a fair amount of shopping and you haven’t found the correct length of pants, then you can decide whether or not you will want to get your new pants altered.
Ski pants can be expensive. So if you are going to spend a lot of money on a pair, make sure you are happy with them and that they require as few alterations as possible.
Because hand-me-downs or secondhand pairs of ski pants will save you quite a bit of money, it’s ok if they don’t fit perfectly. You will be able to hem and adjust them accordingly, and because they were so affordable, even free, you won’t feel like you’re putting in too much effort to get them fitting just right.
Parents often find that ski pants stay in good condition over the years and can be passed on to other children. They simply hem the length and take in the waist. If the alteration is done correctly, the material can be let back out as the child grows.
Hemming Your Own Ski Pants
If you’re extra thrifty and you already know how to sew, you may want to skip taking ski pants to a professional tailor and tackle the task on your own. Keep in mind, though, that hemming ski pants is nothing like hemming a pair of jeans.
Because most ski pants have an elastic gaiter around the boot and often a zipper or Velcro around the ankle, it is impossible to hem them from the bottom cuff as you would other styles of pants. Therefore, hemming ski pants become a little more complicated because you will have to make the alteration further up the leg, perhaps just above or below the knee.
Another thing to remember is that the material used to make ski pants is specially designed to keep water out. So you will want to use the thinnest pins and needles you have to avoid damaging the material.
Finally, you’ll notice that the seams on most ski pants are covered with waterproof seam tape. In order to get the most out of your ski pants, you will want to do the same with your new seams, especially if you have to make them higher up on the leg.
Cost of Paying a Professional Tailor
Now that you understand what goes into hemming your ski pants, you might decide that making the alterations yourself isn’t for you. If that is that case, how much would it cost to have a professional tailor hem your ski pants?
Depending on the tailors, the style of pants, and the amount of time it takes him or her, you can expect to pay anywhere from $15 to $40 an hour, and the job can take up to two or three hours. Typically, it would cost between $30 and $80 to get your ski pants hemmed.
Should You Hem Your Ski Pants?
Unless you’re already a talented seamstress, hemming your own pants could be risky and frustrating. Paying a tailor to hem your ski pants could cost up to the same amount you originally paid for the pants. The best thing to do is not sweat it if your pants are a little baggy around the bottom.
Also, be sure to try out several sizes and styles of ski pants before settling for pants that are too long.
If hemming your ski pants is your only option, then it is possible. You will just need to make sure you do it the right way and be prepared to pay quite a bit for alterations if you don’t already know how to sew.
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Hello, I'm Simon & I love skiing. I started skiing in 2007 and I founded this website to help new skiers learn everything there is to know about skiing. NewToSki.com has grown to be a trusted resource for over a million skiers to plan their ski trips each year and learn more about every aspect of skiing. Be sure to join my email list for the best tips and handpicked deals each week.
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