DOWN JACKET REPAIR TIPS AND TRICKS

If you have ripped your favourite down jacket then there are a number of options available to fix the tear. Our down jacket repair tips and tricks are quick and easy to follow without being onerous on your pocket. You can of course do nothing, but over time the down insulation filling will billow out and you will be left with a very expensive windproof!

PREPARING THE DOWN REPAIR

Before you do anything you must ensure that the down filling is pushed back in to the hole. If the rip is small then use something thin and blunt such as closed tweezers or the end of a pen. Try and avoid using items with a sharp tip that could push through the fabric if you slip, or a finger, as they often make the hole bigger.

If the fabric is dirty around the hole then you will need to clean it and dry it before applying an adhesive patch or tape.

DUCT TAPE FIX

Good quality duct tape is a quick way to prevent any further loss of down insulation from your jacket. Just cut the required shape and apply it. If you spend a bit of time pressing down the edges then they will not peel away very easily.

A lot of people use this technique as a permanent fix, but if you want something more aesthetically pleasing then you could use this as a temporary measure.

DOWN JACKET REPAIR TAPE

Repair tape is similar to Duct Tape but it is a bit more refined in appearance and is easier to cut in to the required shape. These repair tapes come in both an adhesive form and an iron on system in both fabric and plastic materials. These can also be used for patching other bits of outdoor kit as well, such as tents and backpacks, so are very versatile.

STITCHING

If you are handy with a needle then you can always stitch the rip in your down jacket. This can be a very permanent solution if done correctly. However, it can look very messy as you need to pull in a lot of fabric around the tear.

DOWN JACKET REPAIR PATCHES

This is probably the best looking fix for small to medium sized tears in down jackets. The self adhesive backing on these waterproof flexible fabric patches is very sticky, allowing for good coverage over seams.

Most packs come with both oblong and circular shapes to avoid patches lifting off when edges are caught. They can easily be bought from all major online marketplaces.