The Hows and Whys of Maintaining and Repairing Field Gear
By Abigail Harding
During my undergrad, I worked at an outdoor retail store. While this was an awesome way to get gear for the field, the experience also put me behind the service desk performing simple repairs such as sewing, cleaning and binding on gear that had clearly seen better days. Turns out, those small repair skills would end up mattering a lot more than I realized. Anyone who’s spent time doing survey or field work knows the drill: your gear is essential, yet expensive, and replacing it regularly just isn’t realistic. So, when I transitioned into Cultural Resource Management, those repair skills I’d picked up almost by accident became highly valuable. This work can be tough on our gear but taking the time to properly care for and maintain it helps it last its full life expectancy and reduce overall waste. This blog makes the case for taking a more hands-on approach with our gear to build a culture of sustainability by gaining practical repair skills.
Gear repair & maintenance isn’t only budget-conscious, it’s eco-conscious.
The Whys
Prolongs the life and functionality of the product. Well cared for gear lasts longer in the field, while gear that is neglected will wear out and need to be replaced much more quickly. Plus, knowing how an item has been cared for makes it more reliable in the field. Maintenance can mean restoring and preserving technical properties in order for it to continue performing as intended.
Eco-friendly. Repairing an item instead of throwing it away reduces contribution to landfills. It’s part of participating in a sustainable practice to reduce product consumption that creates the waste associated with the outdoor apparel market.
More cost-effective. Frequently purchasing items to replace old ones takes a financial toll, especially as prices for gear and performance gear have only increased in recent years.
Outlet for creativity and ingenuity. I might be the odd one out here, but I find repairing and restoring gear to be a satisfying and rewarding challenge. Both practices engage in problem solving and creativity to come up with the best and most practical solution. The practice of repairing can also be an outlet for personal expression and a way to add some unique elements to your belongings.
Teaches the value of garments. There is a lot of skill that goes into designing and making technical field gear. It’s easy to overlook or take these skills for granted because consumers are so far removed from the manufacturing process. Caring for these products helps to reduce this gap, as our handling and restoring of products increases our awareness and appreciation of makers and designers.
Now that you’ve been convinced of why putting the effort into repairing and maintaining gear is worthwhile, let’s get into some practical ways we can do this.
The Hows
This may sound familiar: you’re in the field and it starts to rain, so naturally, you put on your rain jacket. While it seems to work for a short while, you soon feel water soaking through the jacket and onto you. This is called “wetting out,” when the waterproof membrane becomes too coated in dirt or dust, preventing it from properly repelling water. Instead of beading up and rolling off, water begins to get trapped under the grime.
Wash gear regularly. Washing prolongs the waterproofing, or water repellency, as well as the insulation of products. It will additionally clean out zipper-teeth and seams, making the product seal better.
Gently agitate in warm water. Wash by hand in a large sink, bathtub, or in a side loading washing machine on the “Delicate” setting. Use warm water, not hot, as this will still break down dirt without possibly damaging any coating or lining.
Use a technical wash or cleaner. Do NOT use regular detergent on technical gear. Detergents are harsh on clothing, breaking down grease and dirt. When it’s applied to waterproof or water repellent gear, the detergent breaks down the waterproofing coating. On down jackets, detergent strips the feathers of their natural oils, making them less plush and reducing their insulating qualities. Use a technical wash to clean these items, as they are specially designed to clean, preserve, and restore the technical qualities of garments.
Here are some tutorials for further instructions on washing technical gear:
- How to wash waterproof jackets and pants
- How to wash a down jacket
- How to clean and waterproof hiking boots
Wash and spray DWR. Some technical washes contain a DWR replenishing product that is active throughout the washing and drying process. If that doesn’t work, try a spray-on treatment. See Rainwear: Durable Water Repellent (DWR) Care
Waxing. Uses a natural wax that lightly coats and integrates into the fabric when heated. See How to Wax Your Clothing and Gear and How to wax G-1000 Garments
Storage. Store gear in a way that allows it to breathe by either hanging it up or stored loosely (not compact or stuffed) in a dry location. This is to prevent mold and mildew growth.
Lubricate zippers. A zipper lubricant can be used on metal or plastic zippers that get difficult to zip up. The lubricant prevents rust, dirt, and dust to build up inside zipper teeth.
Simple repair supplies
Here’s a list of repair supplies that, in any combination, can make a simple repair kit to pack during shifts, or carried in a field pack.
- Adhesive patches – for tents, rain jackets, down jackets, bug nets, and more!
- Iron-on canvas patch
- Gear Aid Seam grip + Silicone – to seal patches and seams to restore waterproofing.
- Needle and thread
- Superglue – only for emergency use. The glue becomes very rigid as it bonds with materials, making it very difficult to remove once applied.
- Nymo beading thread – a thin, strong, substitution for thread.
- Zipper-pulls – to replace broken or missing zipper pulls.
- Cordage – to replace broken laces or temporarily tie and hold things together.
- Forj repair Tape – heavy duty multi-use ribbon that hardens with heat treatment.
- Lighter – for heat treating cordage, or other nylon materials to prevent further fraying.
Simple repairs
Patching. Adhesive patches are a lifesaver in the field! See How to patch a down jacket, How to repair torn waterproof jackets or pants and How to repair a down or nylon patch for all of the tips and tricks for applying patches.
Gear repair services
We may not always have the time, skill, or materials to make a repair ourselves. Luckily, there are experts who lend their services just for this purpose. Check out Spirit West Clothing Repairs or Gear Re-Store.
Further reading and other helpful resources
What are the Care Instructions for Your Products?
The Ultimate Guide to Fixing Up Your Clothes
Written by Abigail Harding
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