Look at my new blogpost - Fixing Backpack Straps and Zippers while Outdoors

While camping, hiking, or hunting, sometimes we can be faced with little inconveniences that can turn into big problems if they’re not fixed right away. A damaged backpack is a perfect example.  However, with the right supplies, tears and rips to backpack straps and zippers can be easily fixed.

Heavy duty backpacks are hard to come by and are even harder to keep in perfect condition. This is because heavy duty backpacks are made for the rugged outdoors but are still vulnerable to tears, rips, and even loosened threading over time. To thoroughly fix an irreplaceable one-of-a-kind heavy duty backpack, be sure to always keep extra tools and materials nearby. These tools and materials should consist of:

• Sewing kit with needles, thread, and portable carrier (preferably waterproof).


• Spare buckles, clips, and sliders


• Heavyweight polypropylene webbing


• Extra zippers, zipper threading, and pull tabs or 550 cord

Straps

When fixing backpack straps there a few factors to keep in mind. For example, backpack straps usually have various tools attached to them such as buckles, clips, and even sliders. These tools have a tendency to fall off or become lost when backpack straps tear and become detached. In order to prevent this be sure to keep count of all the materials attached to the backpack prior to fixing.

Generally when backpack straps tear and become detached they can be easily sewn back on. To be sure, keep additional heavy-duty sewing supplies nearby in order to prevent future tears or to be prepared for them. Tools such as buckles, clips, and sliders are also generally easy to fix or replace when repairing backpack straps as well. Be sure to have spare materials in case some become broken or lost. Backpack buckles and clips are usually sewn onto the backpack straps in a loop-like fashion and sliders are slid into place through the webbing or strap.

Zippers

Zippers becoming loose, stuck, or broken altogether are too common a problem amongst backpacks designed for outdoor use. However, there is a great way around this dilemma. For instance, keeping a sewing kit handy will ensure the threading on the zipper teeth can be reattached as well as sewing needles are a great tool for freeing jammed zippers. Also, by carrying additional 550 cord pull tabs can be retied onto zipper loops if they become loose and/or lost.

One of the first most common zipper dilemmas is the tear between the backpack cloth and the zipper itself. This tear usually calls for either a new backpack or a new zipper. Fortunately though if extra zipper teeth threading is supplied this dilemma can be easily fixed. All that is needed is a sewing kit and a little know-how regarding sewing techniques. For jammed zippers or zippers that become stuck in the nook or cranny of a backpack opening a sewing kit will also prove handy. Sewing needles, or items of the sort, are great for releasing the grip if inserted into the inside of the zipper itself. Too often pull tabs become loosened from usage and ultimately lost while outdoors making it a bit harder to properly open and close zippers. However, spare 550 cords can be measured accordingly, cut, and tied through zipper loops in order to keep up with ease of access.

Fixing Backpack Straps and Zippers while Outdoors


Fixing Backpack Straps and Zippers while Outdoors



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