Waterproof Breathable Repair

If you've been unlucky enough to have snagged your waterproof-breathable on a branch, cut it with a ski edge, or poked a hole with your crampon, you could just slap a piece of duct tape on it, or you could use this sturdier, more durable repair. If you have blown a seam, please bring the item to your local MEC store for repair.

Equipment:

• Your torn garment, clean and dry.
• A small swatch of waterproof fabric. The patch will not be visible, so colour is not important.
• A urethane-based adhesive like Freesole™ or Seam Seal™.
• If the tear is over two centimetres long, you'll need a thin needle, tough enough to push through several layers of fabric, and some thread.

Tears Less than Two Centimetres

1. Turn the garment inside out and locate the damaged area.
2. Cut a small patch from the fabric swatch.
3. Spread a very thin layer of adhesive on the patch and inside the garment around the tear.
4. Lay the patch smoothly over the tear.
5. Turn the garment over, locate the tear and smooth down the torn edges.
6. Let the glue dry for at least 24 hours.

Tears More than Two Centimetres

1. Turn the garment inside out and locate the damaged area.
2. Thread the needle and tie a knot at one end.
3. Starting from the inside and at one end of the tear, carefully stich together the edges of the tear. Do not pull the thread so tightly that it puckers or wrinkles the garment. Pull just tight enough to "close the wound" by drawing the edges of the damaged area together.
4. Stich the tear from one end to the other, knot and cut the thread.
5. Cut a patch from the fabric swatch.
6. Spread a very thin layer of adhesive on the patch and inside the garment around the tear.
7. Pull the material around the tear tight, fold the freshly stitched area against the inside of the garment, and carefully place the patch over the hole.
8. Ensure the patch is flat and smooth.
9. Turn the garment over, locate the tear and smooth down any bumps or bulges in the glue.
10. Let the glue dry for at least 24 hours.