Repair & Make-Do

Overview

Improvisation keeps you moving. A small repair kit and a few techniques can fix gear, seal leaks, and create tools. Think: tape + wire + needle + adhesive.

Tape

Duct (general), medical (skin/splints), electrical (insulation), Tenacious/repair (fabrics/tents). Fold “tabs” on ends for gloved use.

Wire

Soft steel or baling wire binds, splints, and secures. Deburr ends; avoid skin punctures; tape sharp twists.

Sewing

Sail/curved needles + heavy polyester thread; backstitch for strength; add patches with contact adhesive + stitching.

Epoxy

Two‑part putty fills cracks, rebuilds threads; cures even when damp (check product). Roughen surfaces; clamp while curing.

Bottle & Can Hacks

Cut bottles into funnels/scoops; cans into windshields/pot stands (deburr edges); foil as reflector.

Reflectors & Containers

Space blanket as signal or radiant barrier; nested bags/liners to store water; label clean vs dirty.

Zippers, Buckles, and Straps

• Zipper slider pinch: Many “broken” zips are loose sliders. Pinch the slider gently with pliers to restore grip on teeth; replace lost pulls with cord.
• Buckles: Carry spare side‑release buckles that thread onto existing webbing; field‑replace broken pack buckles without sewing.
• Webbing repairs: Bar‑tack by hand (tight back‑and‑forth stitches) or fold‑over and stitch through with heavy thread; reinforce with tape until home fix.

Footwear Patches

• Sole peel: Clean/dry; contact cement both sides; wait until tacky; press and clamp overnight.
• Laces: Replace with paracord inner strands in a pinch; tape lace tips to form aglets.

Adhesives & Cure Windows

Contact cements (e.g., Barge) need time: apply thin coats to both surfaces, wait until tacky, then press. Epoxies vary—carry the label or note cure times.

☑️ Checklist — Micro Repair Kit

• 2 m heavy tape (flat‑packed), 2 m electrical tape
• Baling wire or twist ties; zip ties assortment
• Heavy needle + strong thread; small sail needle; safety pins
• 2‑part epoxy putty; small tube contact cement
• Spare buckles/webbing; patches; sandpaper scrap

Narrative — The Strap That Didn’t End the Trip Halfway up the trail, your pack’s hip‑belt buckle snapped on a rock. The trip wasn’t over. You threaded a field‑replaceable buckle onto the webbing, pinched a stubborn zipper slider back to life on a pocket, and wrapped a frayed strap end with tape to stop the creep. Ten minutes later you were moving again—with notes to order real parts at home.

Examples

• Tent pole crack: Splint with tent stake and tape; reinforce with wire; plan replacement.
• Leaky bottle: Dry thoroughly; patch with tape + adhesive; use as non‑potable container.

---

Key Takeaways

• Tape + wire + needle + epoxy fix most field failures.
• Deburr and reinforce; label containers as clean/dirty.
• Flat‑pack supplies to fit every kit layer.

Scenario

🧭 Scenario (Tent pole snap): Wind cracks a pole at camp.
🔍 Decisions: Pack up vs splint; materials.
✅ Outcome: You sleeve with a stake, tape tight, add wire wrap, and finish the trip.
🧠 Lessons: Tape + wire + spare stake = portable sleeve
🏋️ Drill: Pre‑pack a flat tape roll and short wire wrap.