Caring for gear and repairing it on the way

Dirt and sand act like fine sandpaper. They rub against fibres, seams and coatings and lodge in zips, whose teeth and sliders then wear faster. A zip that sticks is often not broken but simply dirty.

Moisture is the second big enemy. A tent packed away wet can smell musty and develop mildew spots after a short time. Coatings on the inside of tent fabrics or rain jackets can become sticky and peel over time when stored damp and warm. Metal parts also rust faster if they stay wet.

The third problem is UV light. The sun weakens many of the synthetic fibres that tents, tarps, lines and straps are made of. Often you cannot see this for a long time – until the fabric suddenly tears easily. That is why it is better to dry gear in the shade or indoors and not leave tents standing in full sun for weeks unnecessarily.

Shake out sand and soil, brush off dirt and, where needed, clean with water and a mild agent – as the manufacturer specifies. For zips it is worth washing the sand out with an old toothbrush and water.

Then everything is dried completely before it is packed away: tents and tarps hung up or pitched, sleeping bags spread out, clothes on a hanger. A tent packed “almost dry” is often damp and musty the next time you open it. This quarter of an hour after the trip is the best investment in the life of your gear.

While things dry, look at everything closely: seams, tie-outs, zips, buckles, lines and coatings. Inflate air pads and leave them for a while to see whether they lose air. Write down what you notice. That way you discover damage at home – not on the evening before the next trip or outside in the rain.

At home you have time and calm. Close small tears with suitable patches or repair tape, re-stitch loose seams and replace frayed lines. Use adhesives and seam sealers according to the manufacturer's instructions and in a well-ventilated room. Larger damage, or a zip that keeps splitting open behind the slider, is often a job for a specialist workshop or the manufacturer's repair service.

On the way it is about temporary fixes that last until you get home. Usually these are enough: repair tape, patches for the sleeping pad and fabric, a needle with strong thread, some spare cord, a few cable ties and safety pins. Tape only sticks to clean, dry fabric. If possible, tape a tear from both sides and cut the corners of the tape round – square corners peel off quickly.

A sticking zip is never forced closed. Clean it, straighten the fabric and move the slider slowly. Using force bends teeth or the slider and turns a small problem into a big one. Replace every temporary fix with a permanent repair at home.

Equipment that protects people – climbing ropes, harnesses, carabiners, helmets – you never repair yourself. Its strength can no longer be judged after a home-made fix. After a fall load, with visible damage or once the service life stated by the manufacturer is over, it is retired and replaced.

The same applies to stoves, valves and fuel lines. A leaking connection is not sealed with tape or other makeshift fixes – there is a risk of fire and explosion. Take the stove out of use and have it properly repaired or replace it.

Adhesives, seam sealers and proofing agents can give off fumes. Use them only with good ventilation, keep them away from children and read the instructions on the packaging first.

Store things dry, dark and loose. Keep insulating items such as sleeping bags and down jackets loose rather than permanently compressed. Lines, straps and coated fabrics do not belong in the sun or next to the radiator. A dry cupboard is better than a damp cellar or a hot attic.

Emergency gear that sits in a cupboard for a long time needs special attention, because you rarely see it. Unpack the go bag and stored gear at least once a year, check everything, air it and replace consumables such as batteries, plasters or out-of-date supplies.

Good to know: many manufacturers and specialist workshops offer repairs. A proper repair often lasts longer than a temporary fix, usually costs less than buying new and saves resources.