Patching your own clothes: how to repair your outdoor clothing

Patching holes, sewing on a button or re-waterproofing a waterproof jacket: all of this can be done at home or in the Transa repair workshop. On long trips or treks, however, a quick solution is often required, as there is no time to wait around and repair workshops aren't something you're likely to find around every bend. With this in mind, Tobias from the Transa repair workshop reveals how you can easily repair your outdoor clothing and equipment on the go. Usually, this won’t replace a professional repair, but it should be enough to get your adventure back under way.

Patching waterproof and insulated jackets

You snag it on a broken branch or catch a spark from the fire, and suddenly the filling material is spilling out of your jacket or your waterproof coat has a tear. Here’s how to repair your jacket quickly and easily:

• Stuff the filling material back into the chamber/baffle. This is best done using a blunt object, such as a ballpoint pen.

• In the event of a burnt hole, cut away the burnt edges of the hole until you have a clean surface.

• Clean the area around the hole/tear. To ensure the best possible adhesion, there should be no grease residues on your skin or impurities such as dust on the jacket. Allow to dry well.

• Measure and cut the patch accordingly. This should be about one centimetre larger than the damaged area. Round off the corners to ensure that the patch sticks for as long as possible.

• Remove the protective film from the patch and stick it onto the defective area. Rub the patch to secure it firmly in place and then cover with your hand: the heat ensures that the glue bonds well to the fabric. If you’re mending your jacket at home, you can also iron over the patch. Be sure to place a piece of fabric between the patch and the iron. However, be sure to follow the instructions for the patch and the temperature information on the jacket’s care label: excessively high temperatures may damage both the patch and the jacket.

Repairing your tent poles

It rarely happens, but if a tent pole breaks, it should be repaired as soon as possible. Otherwise, the broken section may pierce through the pole channel and also cause damage to the tent. The easiest way to repair a pole is with a repair sleeve ((LINK)). Simply push it all the way to the broken section. Then secure the sleeve with duct tape to prevent it from slipping.

Patching a burnt hole in a fleece jacket

Fleece jackets are often made of polyester fibres. When a hole is burned into the fleece, the edges of the hole are melted by the heat. This prevents the burnt hole from tearing further, but it still needs to be patched.

If dealing with a small hole: Carefully cut off the burnt edges. Make sure you only cut off as much as you need to. There are then two options. Either close up the hole with a needle and thread or, if the inside is smooth, patch the hole with a textile patch.

If dealing with a large hole: This requires a more complex repair using a fabric patch. A hand-stitched piece of fabric can provide a makeshift repair on the go.

Repairing seams so they’re waterproof

The seams of tents, waterproof jackets and trousers are often glued to create a waterproof seal, or made waterproof by means of a polyurethane (PU) coating. Both can dissolve over time, in case of intensive use or if not looked after properly. Using liquid PU, you can easily make the seams waterproof again.

Tip: If the PU feels sticky after drying, add a little baby powder.

General tips

It is important that you identify damage at an early stage. Small holes and tears are easier to patch than large ones. That’s why it’s worth checking your clothing and equipment regularly for defects. Take a close look at areas that are subject to particularly heavy wear, such as elbows, knees or pockets.

Many faults can be repaired using self-adhesive repair patches or patches and appropriate glue. These are easy to apply and last well. Duct tape also often proves useful in emergencies. After a few days, this can usually be removed from most materials to allow for a professional repair. The longer it remains adhered, the more likely there will be adhesive residue or the material underneath will be further damaged when peeling off the tape – particularly in the case of down.

For more extensive damage or holes in cotton fabrics, you will need a sewing kit. Make sure you have a strong thread with you.

Replacing buttons: You can often find a spare button on the care label or at the bottom of the button placket. If you can’t find a spare button – perhaps you could carve one? Or you could use a safety pin, which are often included in sewing kits.

For all minor repairs on the go: fabric tape.