The Repair Kit
When you head out hiking, you rarely think about the minor inconveniences — you tend to focus on the bigger challenges (weather, specific hazards, getting lost, emergency contacts) if you're the cautious type. But equipment-related niggles rarely cross your mind: on a day hike it's not a big deal, but over several days it can quickly become a real nuisance. That's why I recommend putting together a small everyday repair kit.
The first step is to think through all the possible problems you might encounter, then consider what you can prepare to address them. Here, in no particular order, are some of the questions and issues you should consider:
- My rain jacket got torn on a bramble patch
- One of my tent poles has snapped
- The strap on my backpack came unstitched when I put it on
- The sole of my shoe has come away
- My backpack's belt buckle has broken
- My tent fabric is torn…
- And there are quite a few you can easily think of…
The idea is to build a small lightweight repair kit: you are not setting off with a full toolbox and every possible material. On the spot, you carry out a temporary repair that can be properly completed when you get back at the end of your hike.
This allows you to continue your hike in the event of a problem, or at least get to a place where you can carry out a more thorough repair if needed.
Please note: this article covers repair kits only, not first aid or survival kits. The focus here is solely on repairing material items — nothing related to your health or survival.
How to put together your lightweight repair kit
First, there are ready-made repair kits. For example, tent repair kits, self-inflating mat repair kits, jacket repair kits… and so on. You can pick out the essentials you need from these kits. There is no point heading out hiking with every kit for every product you own: select a mix that will be sufficient. Then, if you don't have a basic kit, you'll need to put together your own.
Here is the list of essential items you should take with you:
- Adhesive tape (duct tape): this is an almost essential item in your repair kit — there are many possible uses. You can wrap some around an object like a water bottle or hiking poles to avoid carrying a whole roll with you.
- Needle and thread: two very lightweight items that will allow you to repair fabrics. Choose a fairly sturdy thread and a needle that isn't too small, as materials are often somewhat thick — the quality of the finish matters little: you are looking for temporary strength, not aesthetics.
- Fabric patches: make sure you have at least two self-adhesive fabric patches and two standard fabric patches. These will allow you to repair a rain garment, a backpack or a tent flysheet, for example. Ideally, look for ripstop fabric patches (a fabric that is more resistant to tearing), available at hardware shops or specialist outdoor stores. Alternatively, you can cut patches from old backpacks, worn-out tents or a rain jacket you no longer use.
- Cord: an almost essential item in a repair kit due to its versatile nature.
- Wire: useful both for making temporary fastenings and for "stitching" solid fabrics or materials, or as an alternative to cord.
- Patches: these are often included with repair kits for rain gear, groundsheets or inflatable sleeping mats, but you can also buy patches in various sizes for bicycle inner tubes. They are practical and easy to use, making it simple to repair tears and snags.
- Glue: very useful for repairing a detached shoe sole or anything else that is damaged. Neoprene glue is the best choice in most cases.
- Silicone sealant: useful for re-waterproofing a repair on a tent or a rain garment. Bear in mind this is a temporary solution only.
- Metal tubes: you may find these in tent repair kits, or have spares in your tent's assembly pack. Alternatively, small metal tubes from a local hardware shop work well. If you don't have any, bear in mind that you can perfectly well repair a tent pole by making a splint from wood found on site — it may take a little searching, but it will hold just fine.
- Elastic bands: always carry a handful in different sizes and thicknesses. They can serve as a temporary binding to fix all sorts of things and to make splints for a broken tent pole.
- Finally, don't forget a knife and scissors, which will almost certainly come in very handy and should normally be found among your cooking gear or in your first aid kit (for the scissors).
One final point — and this is advice you should follow without exception: never delay a repair. You will have to do it sooner or later, and frankly… I have never seen anything that fixes itself. On the contrary, the longer you wait, the worse it gets: a hole or a tear only grows bigger, and problems multiply. So take a little time to put together this small repair kit and keep it always ready for every outing. Most of the time you won't need it… but the day you do, you'll be very glad you had it with you!
