You read our article on why you should repair your outdoor gear. So now you want to start repairing your outdoor gear instead of buying new. But where to start?! We put together some of our favorite resources and tools to make it easier for you. The process is simple: first check with the manufacturer’s warranty, then check if you can do it yourself, else take it into a gear repair shop. You’ll save money, protect the environment, gain trail cred, and have some awesome stories around your adventure gear. And now: repairing outdoor gear!
First: check the manufacturer’s warranty and repair policy
Lots of companies these days (especially in the outdoor industry!) are doing everything they can to reduce their environmental impact—especially by increasing their warranty and return period, plus providing repair options. Patagonia, for example, has options for cheap or even free repair for all their gear, or they’ll buy back old gear and resell it. While not all companies provide easy or free options to return or repair outdoor gear, you’d be surprised how many do.
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Repairing outdoor gear yourself!
Ok, so you’re outside of the warranty period. Or maybe it’s a small issue and you don’t want to wait for your gear to get shipped to the manufacturer and back. Awesome! Repairing your own gear is great. It’s gonna be a great story (even if it’s a failure and you have to eventually take it to a professional), you’ll learn something new (even if it’s how not to do something), and you’ll definitely gain some street trail cred. Here are some of our favorite products and resources for repairing outdoor gear yourself.
Best Repair Book
Backpacker Magazine’s Complete Guide to Outdoor Gear Maintenance and Repair
This book from Backpacker’s Magazine’s resident gear repair expert Kristin Hostetter covers everything you need to know about repairing outdoor gear. From jackets to tents and everything in between, this book has in-the-field repair options, permanent repair options, and even what to look for in gear when you buy it to maximize its repairability.
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Best Online Resources
There’s so much stuff on YouTube these days. Simply googling your problem can lead to a great video or article on how to repair outdoor gear yourself. Here are some of our favorite online resources for repairing outdoor gear:
Patagonia WornWear
Patagonia’s WornWear is devoted to helping you get your Patagonia gear (and non-Patagonia gear!) repaired and back into action. You can learn how to repair gear, sell old gear, buy used gear, or get your gear repaired by experts. Patagonia is definitely leading the pack in minimizing the impact of outdoor recreation.
iFixit Clothing Repair (in partnership with Patagonia)
iFixit is commonly known for their guides to fixing electronics. Well not anymore! In partnership with Patagonia, iFiixit is producing easy-to-follow guides on simple repairs like sewing on a button, patching a down jacket, or applying a patch to jeans.
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Gear Aid YouTube Channel
The Gear Aid YouTube channel focuses primarily on repairs that you can do with Gear Aid products. But their products are great and so are the videos—even if you buy their competitor’s repair tape, seam sealer, or DWR coating, many of the videos will still help you understand how to perform the repair.
REI Expert Advice Articles
REI’s Expert Advice library is growing each day and they include great videos on common gear care and repair for every sport from camping and climbing to skiing and cycling. Learn how to repair a sleeping pad, fix a sleeping bag zipper, and change a flat bike tire.
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Aim Adventure U has an extensive library of online course on a variety of outdoor topics like climbing, backpacking, and outdoor gear maintenance and repair. Because it’s online you can take it at your own pace. Learn how to take care of your gear and repair it when the time comes. The course was created in partnership with Boulder Mountain Repair and BACKPACKER.
Best DIY Repair Products
There are tons of products on the market that help you to do repairs yourself. Here are some common ones that come in handy and some fun ones for you more adventurous DIYers.
Gear Aid Seam Grip Seam Sealer
Can be used to waterproof tents, backpacks, jackets, and more. An easy way to revitalize your waterproof gear.
Gear Aid Tenacious Repair Tape
A super sticky and tough clear tape that can repair almost any hole quickly and for a long time. Buy it in a roll to cut your own size, or get it in pre-cut patches that are super easy.
Snap-Bar Repair Buckle
Broken buckle but don’t want to sew? No problem, Gear Aid has you covered with their super easy to use repair buckle.
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Coghlan’s Tent Repair Kit
Ideal for field use, this tent repair kit allows you to fix simple issues with your tent so you don’t have to stop your adventure.
Therm-a-Rest Instant Sleeping Pad Field Repair Kit
This repair kit will make sure you never have a bad night’s sleep…or at least never on a deflated pad.
Patagonia Expedition Sewing Kit
Built for easy in the field repairs, the Patagonia Expedition Sewing Kit allows you to quickly repair gear so you can stay on your adventure. Comes with sewing materials and Tenacious Tape for simple repairs.
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Lastly, Take it to a Third Party Gear Shop
So you tried the manufacturer and had no luck. Maybe the repair is a bit intensive to do yourself. Your last option is to take it to an expert. First, see our article on the best gear repair shops across America—there’s probably one near you. If you can’t find a local repair shop, here are our favorite repair shops that you can ship to for repairs.
Your Local REI
Did you know many REI’s have repair shops for many of their products? And if they don’t repair your particular product they’ll help you send it out for repair to the best repair experts.
Dave Page, Cobbler
Based in Seattle, Dave Page and his team are legendary in the shoe repair business—they’re authorized repair agents for REI, La Sportiva, Vibram, and more. Hiking boots, mountaineering boots, climbing shoes, and every other shoe you can think of, they repair it.
Rainy Pass Repair
The industry leader in repairing outdoor gear. They repair everything from sleeping bags, tents, packs, and clothing. Simply follow their easy process online and send in your gear.
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TentPole Technologies
When it comes to tent pole repair or custom tent pole construction, nobody is better than TentPole Technologies. They can provide poles and repairs for all major tent manufacturers.
Conclusion
Repairing outdoor gear has never been easier. With tons of resources and products at your disposal, there’s no reason to not get your gear repaired instead of buying new. You’ll be doing your part for the environment, save money, support repair businesses, learn something new, and appreciate your gear even more. And even better, if you repair your outdoor gear, you’ll have the coolest gear on the trail.
If you enjoyed this article, check out our other How-To Guides, or you might like one of these:
- The Best Headlamps for Every Type of Adventure
- 10 Tips for Quitting Your Job and Hitting the Road
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- Planning Your First Backpacking Trip: An Easy to Follow Guide
- How to Choose a Sleeping Bag
- The Ultimate Outdoor Adventure Gift Buying Guide
