Top 5 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Get Repaired
We all know how important it is to reduce our impact nowadays, and certainly one of the big offenders in the outdoor industry is the kit we wear. So what better way to help the planet, than by repairing instead of replacing!
Our friends over at Snowdonia Gear Repair do exactly that. From their kitted out workshop, based on the shores of the Menai Straits, they mend everything from boulder mats to down jackets (and everything in between). Their founder, Rosanna, talks us through some of the most common questions they get asked and what they can fix for you (and I bet it’s more than you thought was possible…!)
1. Zips!
The number one question people ask us is “can you fix zips” to which we always answer a very enthusiastic yes. We love repairing zips! And it makes up at least half of the repairs we do
At the beginning of the business, sourcing sliders (the bit of the zip that goes up and down) was an absolute nightmare. But we’ve dialled in our suppliers now and can replace almost all zip sliders on outdoor gear.
If your zip is just coming “unzipped” once you do it up, it likely just needs a slider replacement. Which usually costs between £18 and £25. We can sometimes even have it back to you same day if we’re quiet enough in the workshop
For bigger damage, we can also do full zip replacements. We offer a range of prices and options, depending on how discreet you want the repair to be. We also regularly size up zips to make sure they last even longer. A lot of modern kit has tiny zips now, which funnily enough is why they fail!
2. Seam Sealing
Waterproof seam sealing is a super common failure on modern outdoor gear. It’s worth noting that it can sometimes fail due to improper washing (we have a guide on how to wash your waterproof items here: https://www.snowdoniagearrepair.co.uk/blog/how-to-wash-your-waterproof-item). We can absolutely re-tape any failing seam seal. However we have a rule of thumb that if more than 25% of the tape has failed it’s likely not worth it. Mainly because there is likely to be an issue with the fabric coating itself. If that’s the case, then we usually suggest liquid seam sealing at home. We have a guide on how to do that here: https://www.snowdoniagearrepair.co.uk/blog/how-to-apply-liquid-seam-seal
3. Waterproof patches
We love patching waterproof jackets, and not for the reason you might think. The fabric is actually really nice to work with (once you get used to the slippiness that is!). You’d also be amazed at how much we can rebuild! We’ve had some pretty epic stories from bike crashes, climbing accidents and hamsters gone feral. Just send us a photo of the damage and we’ll give you a rough quote.
4. Damage to down jackets
Lots of tailors and seamstresses won’t touch down jackets with a barge pole. I guess for two reasons: 1) they’re expensive and that’s scary! And 2) the down goes everywhere.
We’ve made down jacket patching one of our favourite jobs, possibly out of repetition but also because we just bloomin love a colourful patch.
We can re-stuff lost down if needed. And we can either do a more discreet repair or something funky. You can see some of our previous repairs on our website here:
https://www.snowdoniagearrepair.co.uk/repairs#repairgallery
5. Tents
Yes we do tents! That’s actually a huge part of the reason we moved to our workshop. We needed the space to be able to fully lay out a 2 person tent. Which if you’ve ever tried drying your tent in your living room, you’ll know too well.
We can patch nicks and tears, replace pulled out hardware and repair zips. You’ll know the drill by now, just pop us a photo of the damage and we’ll get back to you with a quote and options
If you’re curious to learn more about Snowdonia Gear Repair, you can follow along on their socials here:
https://www.instagram.com/snowdoniagearrepair/
Or to request a quote, fill in the form on their website here:
https://www.snowdoniagearrepair.co.uk/repairs
And if you’re a DIY repairer, they also offer classes and DIY materials, as well as blogs filled with awesome repair advice you won’t find anywhere else. Check it out here:
https://www.snowdoniagearrepair.co.uk/learn
So, if you’ve got a favourite piece of kit that needs a little TLC before heading back out on the trails, we’d wholeheartedly recommend getting in touch with our friends at Snowdonia Gear Repair. Giving good gear a second life is better for your wallet, better for the planet and keeps trusted kit doing what it does best – getting you outdoors.
