Sometimes adventuring gets a little rough, and we end up with tears or holes in a shell garment. It’s usually possible to repair such minor damage with the help of tape (duct tape solves everything!) or a special patch repair kit for shell clothing that can be purchased at most outdoor stores. If employing the latter, keep two important things in mind:
- To ensure that the patch adheres properly, the fabric around the damaged area should be cleaned then wiped with a drop of rubbing alcohol (not acetone or gasoline, as either will destroy the garment).
- The repair patch should extend ~2 cm either side of the tear/hole; when cutting a patch it’s a good idea to round the corners to reduce the risk of it coming loose.