Repairing/Replacing a Pack Bottom

I've done both, and both worked. The 'repair' version was used for small holes, but for general 'wearing out' I would go for a full rip&replace with 1000D Cordura outer. Cheers

smear on McNett Seam Grip, dry 24 hours, coat with a powdery substance like talc, or dirt from garden to keep it from sticking to itself

I used Shoe Goo for small holes. Cheaper. Cheers

I love seam grip, but it would get pricey for the size I'm doing. I guess I'll order some cordura and replace it all with two panels….and smear a layer of shoe goo on for good measure. Anyone know what the technical term is for the "vinyl" often found on canyoneering/climbing packs (like haul bags)? And where it can be purchased?

http://www.amazon.com/Shoegoo-82049-Shoe-Goo-Clear/dp/B002L9AL84/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1440972377&sr=8-2&keywords=shoe+goo&pebp=1440972398628&perid=1PHCCXN0A9VKN4E2TJ2E shoe goo, 3.7 ounces, $6 + free shipping, that's probably enough

Easy route: duct tape on the inside and shoe goo or contact cement on the outside. Super ugly, fairly quick and easy. Depending on how isolated the holes are you could laminate patches of Cordura, PU coating to PU coating, on the inside using seam grip. Depending the geometry this can be tenuous. Replacing the bottom is definitive if possible. More than anything I'd be worried about having to resew the seam over the old stitch line. It could weaken the fabric and lead to failure in such an abusive application.

Adhesive backed insignia cloth will probably work well for the repair. It can be putvjsdrf from kite stores in 2" wide tape or bigger sheets. Comes in various colors.

Thanks for the tips folks. The rest of the pack is in such relatively good shape I think I'll do it justice and go for a full replacement. I'll do my best to alter the stitch line to avoid the original, thanks for the reminder on this Dave. That, and a healthy amount of seam grip on the finished seam and I should be good to go.

if you have a partially used tube of seam grip (or shoe goo?) store it in freezer and it should be good for a year +. Let it warm up for a couple hours before using it.

Great tip Jerry. All my partially used tubes are rock hard :(

unless the bottom is absolutely shredded, I would keep it in place and add another layer on top of it, especially since you are not concerned about weight. lap the new layer above the old bottom seams, an inch or 2 or more up the pack walls. this will make for a much stronger pack. I've done this and it worked great.

Just for information, Shoe Goo and Amazing Goop glue are marketed by Eclectic Products and appear to have the same ingredients, Styrene Butadiene Copolymer, Toluene and Mineral Spirits, in about the same amounts. There may be some differences in viscosity. Both can be further thinned with Toluene or Xylene to make a paintable mix. I did this with a tube of Shoe Goo in an empty varnish can with a tight lid and it seems to be good after a month or so. There is another similar product called "Through the Roof" roof sealant marketed by Sashco in caulk tubes. It isn't that common, but I have found it at farm stores and lumberyards. The caulk tubes sell for around $6.00 ea. in my area and are more economical for large quantities. There is a paintable grade of Through the Roof that is sold in quart cans, but I have never seen it on the shelves. Through the Roof is also a Styrene Butadiene Copolymer mix and behaves very similarly to Shoe Goo. When tightly sealed, the glue appears to stay fresh as long as the solvent doesn't evaporate. Emptying the tube into a metal paint can and adding a bit of solvent may keep it fresh longer. I've always figured that, once I open a tube of Shoe Goo, I need to use it all as soon as possible before it dries out in the tube. The same idea may apply to Seam Grip, but the tubes are much smaller and storing the open tubes in the freezer may be more practical.

"if you have a partially used tube of seam grip (or shoe goo?) store it in freezer and it should be good for a year +. Let it warm up for a couple hours before using it." I've never frozen Shoe Goo but Ive been freezing Seam Grip, Aquaseal, and Freesole for years. When you need to use it, I've found that if you drop it in warm water (it doesn't have to be hot), it will thaw and be ready for use in a few minutes, then re-freeze again when done. I've also found that a tiny bit of Vaseline on the lower threads (don't contaminate the product) helps to seal it and keep the lid from gluing shut. It's not as much a problem on these products when you freeze them, but it seems to make a big difference on silicone based adhesives that you don't freeze.