diff --git a/code/modules/client/preference_setup/loadout/gear_tweaks.dm b/code/modules/client/preference_setup/loadout/gear_tweaks.dm
index 31d7b336dce..998ac37606b 100644
--- a/code/modules/client/preference_setup/loadout/gear_tweaks.dm
+++ b/code/modules/client/preference_setup/loadout/gear_tweaks.dm
@@ -145,7 +145,9 @@ Path adjustment
 	return "Type: [metadata]"
 
 /datum/gear_tweak/path/get_default()
-	return valid_paths[1]
+	for(var/key in valid_paths)
+		return key
+	return null
 
 /datum/gear_tweak/path/get_random()
 	return pick(valid_paths)
@@ -154,9 +156,15 @@ Path adjustment
 	return tgui_input_list(user, "Choose a type.", "Character Preference", valid_paths, metadata)
 
 /datum/gear_tweak/path/tweak_gear_data(var/metadata, var/datum/gear_data/gear_data)
-	if(!(metadata in valid_paths))
+	if(metadata in valid_paths)
+		gear_data.path = valid_paths[metadata]
 		return
-	gear_data.path = valid_paths[metadata]
+
+	// Fallback for when metadata is actually the path (value) instead of the name (key)
+	for(var/key in valid_paths)
+		if(valid_paths[key] == metadata)
+			gear_data.path = metadata
+			return
 
 /*
 Faction-based Path adjustment
@@ -164,10 +172,17 @@ Same as the adjustment above, but the associated value is a list with the first
 */
 
 /datum/gear_tweak/path/faction/tweak_gear_data(var/metadata, var/datum/gear_data/gear_data)
-	if(!(metadata in valid_paths))
+	if(metadata in valid_paths)
+		gear_data.path = valid_paths[metadata][1]
+		gear_data.faction_requirement = valid_paths[metadata][2]
 		return
-	gear_data.path = valid_paths[metadata][1]
-	gear_data.faction_requirement = valid_paths[metadata][2]
+
+	// Fallback for when metadata is actually the path (value) instead of the name (key)
+	for(var/key in valid_paths)
+		if(valid_paths[key][1] == metadata)
+			gear_data.path = metadata
+			gear_data.faction_requirement = valid_paths[key][2]
+			return
 
 /*
 Content adjustment
diff --git a/code/modules/client/preference_setup/loadout/items/pants.dm b/code/modules/client/preference_setup/loadout/items/pants.dm
index e5fa56ccf68..a37fe8eeec3 100644
--- a/code/modules/client/preference_setup/loadout/items/pants.dm
+++ b/code/modules/client/preference_setup/loadout/items/pants.dm
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ ABSTRACT_TYPE(/datum/gear/pants)
 /datum/gear/pants/trousers
 	display_name = "pants and shorts selection"
 	description = "A selection of pants and shorts."
-	path = /obj/item/clothing/pants
+	path = /obj/item/clothing/pants/black
 
 /datum/gear/pants/trousers/New()
 	..()
diff --git a/code/modules/client/preference_setup/loadout/items/xeno/tajara.dm b/code/modules/client/preference_setup/loadout/items/xeno/tajara.dm
index e997dcbe7ce..43fa6704cd9 100644
--- a/code/modules/client/preference_setup/loadout/items/xeno/tajara.dm
+++ b/code/modules/client/preference_setup/loadout/items/xeno/tajara.dm
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ ABSTRACT_TYPE(/datum/gear/shoes/tajara)
 /datum/gear/shoes/tajara/boots
 	display_name = "tajaran boots selection"
 	description = "A selection of shoes and boots fitted for Tajara."
-	path = /obj/item/clothing/shoes/tajara
+	path = /obj/item/clothing/shoes/jackboots/tajara
 	whitelisted = list(SPECIES_TAJARA, SPECIES_TAJARA_ZHAN, SPECIES_TAJARA_MSAI)
 	sort_category = "Xenowear - Tajara"
 
diff --git a/html/changelogs/hellfirejag-final-pants-fix.yml b/html/changelogs/hellfirejag-final-pants-fix.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..c2cb5f34b7f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/html/changelogs/hellfirejag-final-pants-fix.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+author: Hellfirejag
+delete-after: True
+changes:
+  - bugfix: "Finally fixed the pants memory leak. It is no longer possible to accidentally put Abstract (not real) pants in your loadout."