I think they are cut that long to minimize the ridiculously long UHF flannels, which are something like 30" long. It's my one gripe about my 23oz IH type III and I've come dangerously close to throwing it in the dryer. The IH CR is a far better length.That’s it exactly! I was wondering the other day when I put on my IH overdye type 3 why the damn thing came down so low that it covered my back pockets almost entirely. I thought to myself that even the lowest of low rise jeans aren’t down there, that would be indecent exposure! The untucked shirt theory is spot on. It’s unfortunate too because every time I put on that jacket I get caught up on the length and end up taking it right back off.