Podcast Episode May 22, 2023

Episode 82 | Fabric Repairs in the Backcountry

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Summary

This episode features fabric repair kits for hiking and backpacking, including various fabric repair scenarios, strategies, and supplies.

In this Episode:

Live event: Gear Q&A on Tuesday, May 23, 4 PM US MDT
Email newsletter updates – signup for the new newsletter format!
BPL philosophy for making gear recommendations
New REI Gear Guide
News: BLM to consider conservation as a viable land use
News: GPS watches underestimate trail distances
Question: what’s the difference between breathability and air permeability?
Online course library updates: Condensation in Shelters & Tenkara
Introduction to fabric repair
Types of gear repairs – punctures, tears, seams, lamination and glue failures, fastener failures, structural (stress-bearing) component failures, hardware failures
Repair strategies for fabrics – tapes, glues, and sewing
Fabric repair scenarios – Dyneema Composite Fabrics shelters, rain jackets, sleeping pad punctures, sleeping pad valve stem seams, soft water bottles, backpacks, packrafts
Ryan’s basic fabric repair kit
Listener Q&A – noseeum mesh repair, finding pinholes in sleeping pads, repairing sleeping pad holes near seams, tape choices

Featured Products:

More Repair Kits and Supplies: ZPacks • Hyperlite Mountain Gear • Garage Grown Gear • REI

Ryan’s fabric repair kit contents:

Dyneema Composite Fabric patches with adhesive backing (3 x 2.5-inch squares) – tent repair
Dyneema Composite Fabric seam tape strips (4 x 5-inch long x 0.75-inch wide) – tent repair
Tenacious Tape repair patches (2 x nylon for fabrics, 1 x clear tape for water bottles) – sleeping pad, apparel, and water bottle repair
4-ft roll duct tape – backpack and packraft repair, first aid
Tube of Seam Grip WP or AquaSeal FD – water bottle and sleeping pad repair, also to secure patches for major fabric repairs
5×4 Loksak bag for storage
Precision scissors
ZPacks Sewing Kit

a pair of scissors, tape, and some other items on a table — Ryan’s fabric repair kit. Total weight is 2.4 oz (68 g), and is reduced on shorter solo trips to less than an ounce (28 g) when taking fewer supplies, skipping the duct tape, and packaging the items with first aid supplies (thus leaving the Loksak behind). The scissors double up for first aid tape and bandage cutting. Fabric patches, seam tapes, and glue are matched appropriately to the fabrics used in shelters, sleeping pads, backpacks, and clothing.

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Credits

Backpacking Light - Executive Producer
Ryan Jordan - Director and Host
Chase Jordan - Producer
Look for Me in the Mountains - Music
- Written by: Chris Cunningham and Ryan Jordan
- Performed by: Chris Cunningham (acoustic guitar, lead and harmony vocals, harmonica), Chad Langford (upright bass), and Tom Murphy (mandolin).
- Produced by: Basecamp Studios in Bozeman, Montana

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Disclosure

(Updated April 9, 2024)

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This topic has 5 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 10 months, 2 weeks ago by Josh B.

Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)

Author

Posts
May 22, 2023 at 9:53 pm #3781684

Backpacking Light
Admin

@backpackinglight
Locale: Rocky Mountains

Companion forum thread to: Episode 82 | Fabric Repairs in the Backcountry

In this episode, Ryan walks through fabric repair kits for hiking and backpacking, including various fabric repair scenarios, strategies, and supplies.

May 22, 2023 at 10:31 pm #3781685

Ryan Jordan
Admin

@ryan
Locale: Central Rockies

Curious to know what others do – when you perform fabric repairs in the backcountry, do you try to do a quick and temporary repair there, and then a permanent fix back home, or do you try to do a quality, permanent repair in the backcountry?

May 23, 2023 at 4:51 pm #3781753

Monte Masterson
BPL Member

@septimius
Locale: Southern Indiana

For non-silicone coated nylons and polyesters (bags, quilts, puffys, wind jackets/pants etc) I find the Challange Sailcloth repair sheets from Enlightened Equipment are much better than Tenacious Tape. Its adhesion qualities are far superior. Simply round off corners and thoroughly rub patch onto fabric. Provides a permanent repair after it cures (about 12 hours). https://enlightenedequipment.com/repair-kit/

Works great on DCF too, just doesn’t blend in very well. Same with ripped clothing if you don’t have a sewing kit or don’t want to spend the time doing a tedious sewing repair. Again, adheres better than Tenacious Tape.

May 23, 2023 at 5:19 pm #3781755

Ryan Jordan
Admin

@ryan
Locale: Central Rockies

Yes, those Challenge repair patches are fantastic. The sheets are unwieldy to pack in the field (although are the right size if you blow out a down jacket or sleeping bag and need a huge patch), so you’ll precut the patch sizes you want so it packs better. Tenacious Tapes make for impermanent repairs, which I actually like, so I can peel off the patch and do a proper repair at home. I’d like to see individual patches.

May 23, 2023 at 5:25 pm #3781756

Monte Masterson
BPL Member

@septimius
Locale: Southern Indiana

The Sailcloth sheets from EE have 14 assorted sizes you can cut out of one sheet and the other is just a solid 8″ X 10″. You can see when you click on link.

Jun 3, 2023 at 9:02 pm #3782565

Josh B
BPL Member

@jbalisteri
Locale: Western New York

Got a lot out of this podcast, thanks Ryan.
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Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)

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