Can you repair your tent on-the-go?
Can you repair your tent quickly and efficiently without having to send it back to the manufacturers?
Absolutely.
And that’s what I’ll be showing you today – the easiest and most cost-effective ways to repair your tent.
What these tips are
These repair tips are easy and fast to implement.
They can be used either before your camping trip or while you are out in the wilderness.
They do not cost that much money and make a good choice for short-term repairs.
What they are not
These are by no means designed for the long-term.
You should not count on them to repair your tent permanently, because that’s certainly not the case here.
So now that we’ve cleared that up, lets get right into them!
Rips and Tears
Duct Tape
I ONLY recommend duct tape if it’s an emergency field repair.
Although it does work, it is not the best option since it leaves a sticky residue (almost permanent damage).
This residue can be removed, but it is not easy.
Tenacious Tape Clear
A better alternative to the duct tape in similar situations is a product called Tenacious Tape Clear (this is always my go-to method).
It does the same trick as the duct tape but a better repair option, as it’s classed as “semi-permanent”.
Why is it better?
It’s clear so it cannot be noticed, it’s stronger, it keeps it repaired for longer and does not leave a sticky residue.
Even after years it will not liftoff or peel!
And remember to follow the instructions properly. You’ll have a much better finish.
Sailor Makers and Repair Shops
A quick and easy way to repair your tent is by taking it to your local sailor shop.
That’s right – they will take it off your hands and repair it as soon as possible.
The good thing about this method is that it’s affordable and easy, as you do not have to do any of the repair work yourself.
Not all sailor shops will help you out, however, the answers always going to be no until you ask, correct?
Sewing Shop
I’m sure your local sewing shop will be happy to repair the damage on your tent for you (well they are where I live).
They don’t even charge much.
It’s a better fix for people that don’t trust the duct tape repair method anyway 😛
You can also avoid sending it back to the manufacturers by repairing it this way too.
As long as it’s sewn up good and contains a good dose of seam sealer, it should be fine.
Note: I do not recommend doing this yourself (unless you’re an expert). Without the proper knowledge you risk threads popping out and the damaged area opening up again.
Tent Repair Kit
The manufacturer of your tent may already have a repair kit available.
This means it might be a lot easier to purchase the repair kit that’s specifically been designed for your tent instead of trying other methods.
However, if there is none available I still highly recommend the Tenacious Tape Clear, or duct tape if it’s an extreme emergency.
The Snugpak Ionosphere 1 Person Tent includes a free repair kit.
Leaks
Seam Sealer
Honestly, I don’t seam seal my tents before taking them out in the field, but I do keep seam sealer on me at all times.
I like to see how well tents perform before I do ANYTHING to them.
This helps me get a better understanding of the brand, the design/type and how it really performs straight out of the box.
And of course, so I can create better, more accurate reviews.
Leaks can also be repaired with Tenacious Tape Clear, however, this is just not possible in seams and corners.
That’s where seam sealer comes into play.
Make sure the tent is dry before applying any type of seam sealer.
Use it in the corners, floor, seams, and most especially rain fly.
Final Words
If you experience damage on your tent out in the field and you have absolutely nothing at your disposal that you can repair it with, a tarp fixes everything.
Tie a tarp to nearby trees and hang it over your tent.
It is an extra line of defense against the rain.
I’d also like to point out that if the damage is just too much you should always contact the manufacturers.
This should be when you’ve finished your trip and ready to get the darn thing properly repaired.
More often than not they will repair it for free or give you a new one, but that all depends on the customer service and company policy.
Did you find this article helpful, and do you have any questions?
We’d love to hear them. Ask in the comments below!
Well thanks for reading and have a great day.
Cheers.
-Brandon