How to Repair and Care for Your Outdoor Gear

JUMP TO: STORING & CLEANING GEAR | MAKING FIELD REPAIRS | MAKING REPAIRS AT HOME | GEAR REPAIR RESOURCES | WHEN TO RETIRE YOUR GEAR

Author: Steve Edgerton | Updated: Jun 5, 2023
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In our hyper-consumerist world, the art of gear repair and maintenance has sadly become something of a lost art. Same-day delivery services allow us to replace gear instantly and effortlessly. Planned obsolescence and accelerated fashion cycles also encourage always buying more rather than working with what we already have.

Simply buying new stuff is easy, but rarely is it the best choice. Repairing is not only cheaper than replacing, it is also far more sustainable. And with the right mindset, learning how to repair and care for your gear is extremely rewarding too.

Every patched down jacket, stitched merino shirt, and mended tent pole carries a story. Repaired gear is, in its way, more unique, and more valuable. There is even a word for this in Japan: sashiko, or the art of visible mending.

But gear repair need not always be this high-minded to be highly worthwhile. This guide will help you understand the fundamentals of maintaining your gear and the repair skills worth knowing. With just a little effort, your gear can last you for decades, if not a lifetime.

STORING AND CLEANING GEAR

Outdoor gear and apparel often fail gradually, not through one catastrophic incident. Some simple storing and cleaning practices will go a long way in preventing equipment failures and extending the functional lifespan of your kit.

TENTS: Tents are one of the more expensive outdoor items. They are also critical to your safety and enjoyment of every backcountry trip, making them especially deserving of some extra love.

Here is what to do to keep your tent in good shape.

  • After a trip, set your tent back up to let it dry out completely. This will prevent mildew growth and the deterioration of the tent’s waterproofing.

  • Brush out any dirt and debris. Wash down with warm water and soap if needed. Don’t machine wash your tent.

  • This is also a good time to check for holes or tears. Catching them earlier will prevent bigger problems and leave you ready to go for your next trip.

  • Store your tent in a large, ventilated bag rather than a compression sack.

BACKPACKS: Over a season of hiking, your backpack will be subjected to sweat, rain, mud, and more. Zippers gunk up, water-resistant coatings fade, and they can start to smell funky.

  • A few times a year, clean your pack with warm soap and water. Avoid machine washing. Some manufacturers suggest submerging the pack in a bathtub for deeper cleaning.

  • Gently brush out zippers and lubricate them if needed to keep them running smoothly.

  • Store your pack somewhere cool and out of direct light.

SLEEP SYSTEM: The standard backpacking sleep system includes a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and pillow. Being subjected to unwashed backpacker bodies on the regular, your sleep system requires regular cleaning.

  • Your sleeping bag or quilt requires the most care. It doesn’t need washing after every use, but at the very least you should give it a thorough cleaning once or twice a year. Pillows are usually machine wash-friendly. Wipe down your sleeping pad with warm water and soap.

  • Consider using a sleeping bag liner for added protection from water, grime, and tears.

  • Most sleeping bags are machine washable, but follow the manufacturer's instructions. Using a front-loading washing machine, unzip your bag completely and wash in warm or cold water on a gentle cycle. For down bags, use a compatible detergent like Nikwax Down Wash Direct. Run an extra rinse cycle to ensure no soap residue is left behind, as it will degrade the down.

  • Lie flat to dry or tumble dry on low heat. You can add a couple of tennis balls to the dryer to evenly distribute the insulation as it dries. 

  • Avoid storing your sleeping bag in a compression sack, as the compression degrades its insulating abilities over time. Hang it in a closet or store it in a large bag to maintain the loft—and warmth—of your bag.

 

It’s always best to store your sleeping bag in a large breathable bag, rather than a compression sack.

 

CLOTHING: Different fibers may have slightly different washing protocols, but in general, the keys to maintaining the longevity of your apparel remain the same.

  • Wash clothing in cold water and air dry whenever possible to avoid stretching and shrinkage.

  • Avoid unnecessary detergent products (like fabric softeners). Down jackets should be washed with a down-friendly detergent. For synthetic down, normal detergent works just fine.

  •  Any waterproof apparel can be washed with a water-repellant treatment.

ELECTRONICS: To maintain headlamps and satellite communicators, remove the batteries before storing them away. This prevents unnecessarily draining batteries and will extend their lifespan. Store the batteries in a cool, dry place. Avoid subjecting electronic devices to extreme heat and cold.

MAKING FIELD REPAIRS

Having a small field repair kit is the best way to prevent small problems from snowballing into full-blown equipment failures. You don’t need to spend much or be a master seamstress: just a little preparation on the trail can save you a lot of money down the line.

Here are a few basic items to add to your kit.

TENACIOUS REPAIR TAPE: Tenacious Tape is ultralight and insanely strong. We’ve used it to patch tears in down jackets, plug up leaking sleeping pads, repair a tent fly, and even modify chafe-inducing heel cups on a pair of trail runners. Having a roll or pre-cut patches in your pack will minimize down leakage if your jacket or sleeping bag tears, and prevent small holes from progressing into something less manageable.

DUCT TAPE: Waterproof and multi-purpose, duct tape can be a lifesaver. It is best for bigger, short-term fixes, like fixing a delaminating shoe, patching large tears, or securing a broken pack buckle. Pack a backpacking-friendly roll, or simply wrap a length of it around a trekking pole.

 

Tenacious Tape is an awesome thing to carry for field repairs, such as patching tears in down jackets.

 

SEWING KIT: Tenacious Tape works wonderfully on technical synthetics (think tent fabrics or jacket and sleeping bag shells), but a small sewing kit will better serve you when patching up rips and holes in apparel or mesh shoe uppers. On shorter trips, these repairs can usually wait until you’re home. But for thru-hikes or remote expeditions, it is worth bringing something like the Zpacks Ultralight Sewing Repair Kit or Gear Aid Outdoor Sewing Kit.

PARACORD: An extra length of paracord can be handy for everything from splinting a broken tent or trekking pole to replacing tent guylines or shoelaces. The inner strands of Gear Aid Paracord can even be pulled apart and repurposed as thread to stitch up gear.

MULTI-TOOL: Be prepared to cut thread, tape, and cordage with a high-quality multitool. We like the Leatherman Wave Plus when a full-featured multi-tool is needed, or the Swiss Army Alox Pioneer X for something simpler.

 

It’s vital to carry something suitable for repairing sleeping pads in the field, whether it be the included repair kit or something like Tenacious Tape Patches.

 

MAKING REPAIRS AT HOME

While you can duct tape and super glue your way through small gear issues on the trail, these quick fixes are often not permanent. So, what can you do at home to really repair your gear?

You can start by picking up some basic sewing techniques. Sewing may seem intimidating to the uninitiated, but the basics are easy to grasp with just a bit of practice. Taking the time to learn a few basic hand-stitching techniques will help you dramatically extend the lifetime of your outdoor clothing. You will be able to sew up your hole-filled merino base layers and replace broken zippers.

If you find that rewarding, you can invest in a sewing machine to take on more substantial repairs. You can even repurpose old fabrics into something new, joining the “Make Your Own Gear” movement and customizing your kit to perfectly align with your needs.

 

With a little practice, some basic sewing skills can help extend the life of your outdoor clothing – for instance, allowing you to replace broken jacket zippers at home.

 

GEAR REPAIR RESOURCES

More important than learning any one particular repair skill is learning to change your mindset. The gear repair mindset means placing value on sustainability, frugality, and ingenuity rather than convenience. A leaking tent becomes an opportunity to master seam sealing, not an excuse to drop $400 on a replacement tent and toss one with plenty of life left.

If you’re eager to expand your skill set, the Backpacker Complete Guide to Outdoor Gear Maintenance and Repair is an excellent resource that will walk you through the most common gear care techniques beyond basic patching and maintenance.

Even if you don’t have the time or interest in taking on your gear maintenance, it is becoming easier to repair rather than replace. Brands like Patagonia, Osprey, and Mountain Hardwear now offer gear repair services, often free of charge. Independent repair shops like Rugged Thread are also proliferating, providing in-person and mail-in repair services.

HOW TO RETIRE YOUR GEAR

Even with the noblest of intentions, every piece of gear ultimately has an expiry date. How can you responsibly retire your gear when it is no longer serving you?

RESELL IT: You know what they say: one person’s trash is another person’s treasure. Unless it truly is ragged beyond recognition, your old fleece or heavy, outdated steel frame backpack can find another home where it once again provides value. Another option is donating gear to local charities or programs like The North Face’s Clothes The Loop, which ensures your old gear is put to good use and stays out of the landfill.

REPURPOSE IT: For gear that truly is trashed, reselling is not viable. The next best thing is repurposing your gear. Climbing ropes can become rugs and dog leashes. Skis can become fences or benches. Fabric from tents or backpacks can be put to use in Make Your Own Gear projects.

 

With a bit of ingenuity outdoor gear can be repurposed – like using old climbing ropes for your dog leash!

 

RECYCLE IT: Until fairly recently, recycling gear wasn’t even an option. We designed products for disposability, not circularity. Fortunately, this is changing. Many brands are beginning to offer in-house recycling services, with bins at retail locations. They will incorporate materials back into new products or redirect them to other industrial purposes. Municipalities are also beginning to offer textile recycling services. But despite its eco-friendly reputation, recycling is still pretty resource-intensive. Think of it as the last step: reduce/repair, resell, and repurpose are all better options.

When it comes to replacing retired gear, think about how to maximize its life span. Prioritize shopping with brands that offer repair and recycling services. If possible, it is usually worth spending a little more and investing in high-quality pieces that are both durable and repairable. 

Remember: reducing our overall consumption of apparel and consumer products is not optional, it is a planetary imperative. Repair and care for what you already have. You’ll reduce your impact and save money for getting out there and experiencing what really matters.

MORE INFORMATION

For more discussion on sustainability and how it relates to the outdoor industry then check out the rest of our Sustainability 101 series:

Looking for more information on hiking and backpacking? Be sure to check out some of our other tips and gear reviews:

Or check out our entire Gear Reviews Page, our Knowledge Base Articles, or Destination Guides for more hiking, backpacking, and outdoors related content.

Happy hiking and take care out there in the wild!