Specifically jackets and pants. My girl wants to ride, and is getting all the gear. Problem is she's short. The Kevlar in the knees and the padding in the elbows are in the wrong place. Can the arms and legs be taken in and not compromise the intagrety? She has access to an industrial sewing machine. If we mirror the stitch pattern and thread strength, can we make this work?
Have you tried women specific gear? They very often have better "dimensions" so that the pads end up in the correct spot. My wife has long legs and arms and we always had a tough time finding gear that fit well because it is really designed around a guy's body style. She has one jacket from Woman Biker and I think there are probably another half dozen or so woman specific gear suppliers. As to your question if you or she is good at sewing you could probably do the mods your self. For the jacket, I'm guessing you would just need to remove the sleeves from the shoulder and then figure out how much shorter you need them and then maybe alter the pocket for the pads. For the pants you might be able to just move the pads and shorten the length. Unless you already have the gear it seems like alot of work to make the mods, I would keep shopping.
My wife is about 5' and we took her to the local motorcycle shop where they got her fitted with some Lady Joe Rocket stuff. It was all a good fit with the armor in the right places.
That said, I would think that if you've got the equipment, there shouldn't be any magic to it, it's just really tough material that your typical alteration shop isn't going to have the first clue about!
Thing is we did buy lady specific pants. She's short and wide. The elbows we can move up, but the Kevlar in the knees is sewn in tight. We'll just have to make sure the stitches we put in are strong.
Appleseed wrote: Thing is we did buy lady specific pants. She's short and wide. The elbows we can move up, but the Kevlar in the knees is sewn in tight. We'll just have to make sure the stitches we put in are strong.
Good thread too - like nylon. Given the PITA'ness of altering the pants, maybe look at a premium brand like Aerostich. They make to measure. Yes it costs, but there are no questions or surprises about whether they will hold up.
It's the only body and skeleton you get - homework is important.
Cortech stuff normally has 3 strips of velcro in the armor pockets you can move the armor a few inches
In reply to 44Dwarf:
Never knew that. I'll look later tonight. Thanks.
44Dwarf wrote: Correct stuff normally has 3 strips of velcro in the armor pockets you can move the armor a few inches
My Alter Ego pants only have 2 pockets for the knee pads - not a whole lot of adjustment. My Kilimanjaro jacket has the velcro arrangement you mention. Frankly, I don't really care for the Alter Ego pants even though they have saved my skin once already. I'm pretty uncoordinated.
For pants - get any kevlar lined pants that fit comfortably ( a little loose for what follows) with no armor.
Then buy Bohn armored spandex "Adventure" pant for women. They go underneath - I have the manly mesh pair and they hold the pads where they are supposed to be. And, it's more than knee pads - there are thigh and hip and tailbone too. They also make shirts - but I had already spent large coin on a bombproof jacket so ... I didn't try it. I have been critical of them mostly when I have left them on under pants when not on the bike... when riding they are great and neatly solve the problem of correct fit and safety.
https://www.bohn-armor-pants.com/catalog/
Have you considered buying the gear first and then looking for a girl that fits?
APEowner wrote: Have you considered buying the gear first and then looking for a girl that fits?
Like this? 
She doesn't look abrasion resistant.
Appleseed wrote: She doesn't look abrasion resistant.
No, but she looks comfortable.
When my brother crashed in his gear he sent it back to Cortech for repairs. I imagine they could do alterations too.
Not a canoe!!!!! I might actually go to this.
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