Gear Care & Repair
How to Repair a Down or Nylon Jacket
Are you sick of feathers leaking from your down jacket? Need to fix a burn hole in your puffy? We have a simple fix to rips, tears, and holes in down or nylon jackets, ski pants and snow gloves. From GORE-TEX® rainwear to your favorite The North Face® parka, easily patch your waterproof garments without dampening its look or style. All you need is the right Tenacious Tape.
PICK THE RIGHT TAPE
GEAR AID Tenacious Tape comes in different styles and sizes for any rip or tear. For smaller tears, we recommend Hex Patches or Mini Patches.
For repairs in fun shapes (like moons, stars, moose, and squirrels!) choose Gear Patches.
For larger slashes and rips, opt for a strip of 3x20 Repair Tape.
And for your favorite GORE-TEX gear, make sure to reach for GORE-Tex Fabric Patches.
WASH & DRY
Before making a patch repair, clean down and nylon gear first. Using our Revivex formulas, hardworking ski jackets, pants, and rainwear stay fresh and will continue to protect us from the elements. Read our blog to learn how to wash GORE-TEX fabrics or find out how to wash down jackets so they keep performing at their best.
PEEL-AND-STICK PATCH REPAIR
- Tenacious Tape Hex Patches or Tenacious Tape Repair Tape or Tenacious Tape Mini Patches or Tenacious Tape Gear Patches (images below of the Hex Patch)
- Isopropyl Alcohol
Estimated Time: 5 minutes
- Clean the repair area with isopropyl alcohol to remove any dirt or body oils that may prevent a good bond. Trim any loose threads or feathers.
- Peel off the backing on your Tenacious Tape. If necessary, cut to size of repair. Patch should overlap tear by 0.5" (12 mm) in all directions.
- Stick it over the rip, tear, or hole.
- Apply pressure from the center out. Smooth out any bubbles and ensure the edges lay flat.
If you do a repair before cleaning the gear, wait at least 24 hours for the Tenacious Tape patch to adhere properly before washing it.
PRO TIP: Make your repair nearly invisible by using a clear or matching color Hex Patch. If you’re patching a hardshell jacket, put the patch on the inside.
IRON-ON PATCH REPAIR
- Any Tenacious Tape (we're using a GORE-TEX Fabric Patch below)
- Iron, Hair Dryer, or Machine Dryer
Estimated Time: 15 minutes
When extra strength is required especially for high-wear areas (e.g., cuffs and knees), apply heat on Tenacious Tape after application on your outerwear. For repairs on waterproof-breathable fabric that get more moisture and scrapes, we recommend using Tenacious Tape GORE-TEX Fabric Patches with heat.
PLEASE NOTE: We recommend reaching out to the manufacturer of your jacket/gear before using this iron-on/heat method.
- Clean and dry area to be repaired.
- Peel off GORE-TEX Fabric Patch backing and apply to damaged area.
- Apply pressure from center out to remove air bubbles.
- Set the iron to medium or permanent-press heat. Use moderate pressure and circular motion for 30 seconds to heat evenly.
- (Optional) Instead of an iron, use a hair dryer or tumble the garment in a machine dryer for 30 minutes on regular setting to strengthen the repair patch.
PRO TIP: Cut Tenacious Tape to size by rounding out the edges to prevent the patch from snagging or peeling off before it fully bonds to the fabric.
With these straightforward steps, keeping your outdoor gear in prime condition has never been easier. Tenacious Tape repairs ensure your adventures remain uninterrupted, no matter what tears or wears come your way. Embrace each adventure with confidence, knowing your gear is as resilient as you are.