Repair Kits

Reviewed by The Cedar Journal

These are a quick fix repair buckle for backpacking, kayaking, and hiking gear. These come in different sizes from 15mm (5/8 inch) up to the larger sizes. Hard to find in the outdoor store, I snapped up a set of the Side Release in 15mm and a ladder lock also in 15mm. Was I impressed? Yup! My tent/backpack repair kit now contains these small wonders.

  side buckle ladder buckle replacement buckle I have looked for these when I saw a video of them a while back. I have needed replacement buckles in the past with my equipment and have a few of the replacements for repairs once I get home from a trip. But, to have these on the trail could be handy. I finally found these (although only 15mm) in a local outdoor store and purchased them for my carry tent/backpack repair kit. Easy to use. Although a very small Phillips is needed. Place the stainless steel pin through the canvas strap loop of old buckle and repair is complete! I created a new repair kit within minutes with these new buckles.

Read more: Sea to Summit Field Repair Buckles review (1)

Reviewed by John Starnes

Pleasantly surprised by this product.

Needed to make an emergency repair to my rain jacket a Marmot Oracle Jacket. Only thing the store had was this kit for sleeping pads. I had backed into a lantern and burned a quarter size hole in it dead center of my shoulder blades on a previous outing. The kit came with four round 1 1/4-inch and four 2-inch square patches. What I did was put a square one on the inside of the jacket and a round one on the outside effectively glueing them together in case they didn’t hold to the jacket. Well, it did hold two days in heavy rain and cold on the trail.

Read more: Sea to Summit Mat Repair Kit review (1)

Reviewed by Jboothmtnbkr

Great repair kit for fixing holes and tears in sil-nylon material used by many manufactures of lightweight backpacks and tents.

As I've been adding lighter weight gear to my backpacking and hiking arsenal, I've run across the complications of making those choices. That being, these lighter weight packs and tents using sil-nylon materials are not as durable as their heavier weight counterparts. My first purchase was the Marmot Kompressor Summit, which is a lightweight 28L day pack which uses sil-nylon along the sides and front of the pack. As I used it over the past summer, various damage occurred from carrying various objects inside the pack that ultimately poked small holes and in one case, tore a corner.

Read more: Gear Aid SilFix Sil-Nylon Repair Kit review (1)

Reviewed by Hootyhoo

A great product for zipper maintenance. One stick lasts a long time. Does not attract or hold sand and dirt. No mess. Easy to use.

In 2003 I bought this product because it was recommended for my drysuit. It worked so well on the drysuit that I started using it on backpacks, tents, down jackets, and waterproof jackets. Any high dollar gear with a zipper is likely to get Zip Tech'd. It actually helps seal water out of water resistant zippers. Product is easy to use and the benefits are noticed immediately. I apply it occasionally, especially if a zipper is feeling a little rough or hard to operate. In 2015 I just bought my second tube of it.

Read more: McNett Zip Tech review (1)

Reviewed by Gina

This is something new to me. It is a moldable plastic that can be used for so many repairs when on the trail. It can be made moldable in hot water and can be remolded as necessary. I used it to repair a broken tent pole and it got me through what would otherwise would have been a very miserable four-day trip.

This stuff is amazing. The uses for it are only limited by your need and imagination. Can be used for repairs of items you already have or to make something you need. It will bond to some plastics. Would be a good item to carry in a first aid kit, also. Splints can be made for anything you need, and custom fit to the individual for comfort. I am going to carry some of this with me everywhere. I suggest going to its site and viewing the suggest uses. Impressive!

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