Sustainability is a widely used term today, but only few of us can imagine anything real under it. One of its efforts is to extend the life cycle of products, including the outdoor ones. Let´s take a closer look at what products do we need to do outdoor gear repairs ourselves. And we don´t even need to be extra skillful to do some DIY repairs.
Sustainability makes sense
Also here, in Top-ArmyShop, we prefer products that last as long as possible. It is no longer true that every salesman's main concern should be primarily the highest sales regardless of quality. A business that follows sustainability, is well aware that it has a much better chance of keeping satisfied and loyal customers and to have an affect on the environment. And these values should be primary.
Top-class outdoor gear and materials are not the cheapest so we expect high-quality. However, the truth is that even the highest quality equipment will not be as functional, if we don´t take a proper care of it. And even if we do, there is still chance that it gets damaged anyway.
DIY ! But how ?
The great benefit is when you can do the repairs yourself. But we need need the right equipment for that. Following article will reveal what we need for such repairs.
But before you start the repair, think about whether it is worth or whether it would be better to buy a new piece. For example, the time that you would spend repairing your ten year old and highly damaged tent may not be worth it and perhaps it is time to buy a new one.
Essential repair tools for workshop as well as backpack
If you have a workshop, you are amongst the happier ones. And if you live in a small apartment, don´t worry, you are still fine. There will be always space where you can store your essential tools.
The thing is, that it does not have to be something extra special or professional. The main thing is to ensure that you don´t have to get rid of your tent, sleeping bag, backpack or piece of clothing after first damage. Just reach for your repair tool kit and start with the repairs. It is not as difficult as it may seem and usually it does not even take that much of a time.
Duct tape, paracord or multitool can be really handy. So do not forget to pack them.
Your backpack shouldn´t be empty either. We will give you few tips what to pack that will not take much of a space in your backpack.
Survival kit
Most of the things we are going to mention can be purchased as a complete survival kit, such as for example Exotac ripSPOOL.
This kit contains :
- high-strength synthetic line
TIP: Do you know Firecord lanyard ? It is basically a paracord with all its uses but in addition to the standard seven inner cores it also includes extra inner red core - extra flammable. To start a fire we can use standard cords of our paracord, but the benefit of this extra inner red core is that it works even when wet. It burns slow, like a candle wick.
Let´s take a closer look on every item...
Tape will fix it
The essential product for an emergency repairs of almost anything is a repair tape a.k.a. duct tape. If your sleeping bag, tent or jacket got torn, oftentimes the duck tape is your only help, especially when you are still expecting couple of days outside of civilization.
Every man… should have multitool
We should definitely carry a knife and if possible also multitool. The saying goes, that every man should carry a knife, bu this applies to women who are going for outdoor adventures as well.
Knife and multitool are essential tools of every outdoorsman.
If you have our own workshop then naturally you will have more "professional" equipment and tools. However, backpack capacity is limited, so you will need to be ok with single knife and multitool.
Different types of knives and their use have been mentioned on our website already so no need to talk about it anymore in this article. However, we can repeat the fact, that most of the repairs can be done by any type of the knife, no matter whether it is a folding knife, fixed blade, tactical or bushcraft knife.
As for the multitool, the criteria are little different so therefore everyone might also prefer something different. The multiool usually also includes a knife ( more specifically blade), as well as different wrenches, bit drivers, etc.
Some of the multitools also feature bottle openers and can openers, glass breaker tips or for example wire cutters, so we can use them for much more than „just“ emergency repairs.
Paracord as an universal tool
Paracord is an universal accessory, that comes always handy. You can use it for example to fasten sleeping mat to your backpack, but also for emergency repairs of your gear – whatever is falling apart (or is close to fall apart) can be simply attached together using paracord. Additionaly, paracord can be used for many other things such as for example building a shelter or for making a provisional splint.
When we unravel the paracord, its inner cords can be used for sewing. And there is one more thing which is not mentioned often - that paracord can be melted. This is described in the article 8+2 ideas how to use paracord
Repair your backpack, tent as well as clothing
The part of every survival kit should be also sewing kit, or at least a needle and a threat. Even though nowadays the wide range of equipment features coated ripstop fabric, which highly eliminates tearing and creasing, from time to time we still may see some torn piece of fabric. That is why it is advised to pack sewing kit as well as to learn how to work with it.
Early intervention often decides, whether we are going to finish our “mission" successfully.
Almost everyone can handle the standard stitch. Especially with gear and clothing that is highly water resistant, the quick repairs are almost essential. So sew some basic stitches and then use some repair tape which should help to retain fabric´s original features (for some time).
Your sewing kit should also include safety pin (ideally in different sizes). Simply, when your zipper breaks or your button falls off, the safety pin is an "ideal" solution. Another benefit of safety pins is that they weight almost nothing. As an alternative solution you can also used special „eska tape“.
Another items
There are also another items you should pay attention to.
So for example you can pack:
- extra shoe laces, in case the original ones tears off.
- fire starting tools, but we are assuming you already included them.
- waterproof matches or liquid fuel lighter are practical not only when you need to melt two pieces of paracord or shoe laces together.
Did you like this article?
- Pavel Kreuziger
- Paul joined our team thanks to many years of writing about anything. However, topics such as outdoor and survival, he enjoys much more than the current focus. He loves nature since his childrens camps years, from which he smoothly moved to tramping and hiking. After years of sitting in front of the computer, he realised that the warm office does not make him a man, and started returning to the roots. We need to mention, that he also loves dogs.
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