How to repair a hole in your snow gear
If you've got a favourite piece of kit that's seen better days, but you're not ready to throw in the towel just yet, you'll be wanting to know how to repair it. Good thing you're here then.
It can happen so quickly and in so many different ways. Whether it’s snagging yourself on a tree, getting burned by a cigarette at the bar, or colliding with another skier’s ragged edge, the end result is always the same. A hole where there shouldn’t be one, and a whole lot of stress. Except there doesn’t have to be. You don’t always need to replace your gear if the damage is minor, and lots of holes or tears can actually be repaired at home! And that’ll come as a relief, right?
In fact, it’s the exact reason we came up with this super easy to follow repair guide that will explain step by step how to repair small holes and tears in your jacket or pants. Hopefully, by the time we’re done, you’ll be ready to breathe new life into the gear you were ready to throw away, and you can get back to what’s important — having fun on the mountain!
You don’t always need to replace your gear if the damage is minor, and lots of holes or tears can actually be repaired at home! Sure, it can be intimidating to take a needle and thread to a ski jacket, but that’s why we’re both here, right? You want to know how to repair your jacket, and we want you to get more life out of it.
That’s why we came up with this super easy to follow repair guide that will explain step by step how to repair small holes and tears in your jacket or pants. Hopefully, by the time we’re done, you’ll be ready to breathe new life into the gear you were ready to throw away, and you can get back to what’s important — having fun on the mountain!
What you'll need
The list of things you’ll need to make most repairs is pretty short and simple. You may need to buy some of these supplies online to achieve the best results, but the good news is that one purchase will see you through multiple repairs!
For fixing holes and small cuts:
- Repair patch (for example NOSO)
- Scissors
- Cleaning cloth
- Tumble dryer
For fixing bigger rips or holes:
- Seam Grip
- Needle & Thread
Fixing holes with a repair patch
The easiest way to repair small holes and cuts in your ski gear is by using a repair patch. Repair patches are magic when it comes to repairing outerwear. And the best thing about them is that they only takes a few minutes to apply, and they are super easy to handle. Once correctly applied, the waterproofing of your gear will be restored and you’ll be good to go again.
Repair patches also really handy to take travelling as they come in a neat little box, letting you perform fixes on the go if you’re away on a trip or out for a long day in the backcountry.
Here's our step-by-step video guide on how to repair a hole in your snow gear with a repair patch:
Step 1: Place gear on the table
Lie the pants on a table with the hole facing upwards and the fabric flat but not stretched
Step 2: Cut repair patch to size
Using the scissors, cut the patch to the correct size and shape to cover the damaged area with an extra 0.5/1.0cm around the outside.
Step 3: Clean area around the hole
Clean the area with a damp cloth to remove any dirt or contaminants to ensure good adhesion from the patch
Step 4: Center patch over the hole
Once it’s completely dry, remove the non-stick backing from the patch, and place it centred over the hole
Step 5: Apply pressure
Apply pressure from the middle outwards until fully adhered
Step 6: Tumble dry
Tumble dry on low heat for 10 minutes
Step 7: Activate glue
Remove the pants from the dryer and lay flat once more. With your fingers or the heel of your hand, rub the patch in a circular motion for 30 seconds with moderate pressure to completely activate the glue and ensure permanent adhesion
Step 8: Your repair was successful
You’re now ready to ride once more with a completely waterproof repair
Fixing rips with needle and thread
If you find yourself with a bigger rip or cut in your gear, sometimes the best option is to use a needle and thread. Big collisions with trees, rocks, or other skiers can sometimes result in a tear or hole you think is irreparable, and the thought of making it worse by poking holes in your jacket or pants is enough to send shivers down the spines of most. But take it from us, it’s not as hard as you’d think!
All you’ll need is a medium sized needle, a thread in the colour of your choice, and a Seam Grip to finish it off. You’ll want to opt for an extra strong thread for maximum durability. If you can find a thread with a degree of elasticity, that would also be suitable as it will allow for more movement in the fix while you’re wearing it. If you’re unable to find a suitable thread while you’re away from home but need to perform a fix, dental floss can work well as it’s very strong and stretches a little, too!
Step 1: Close the rip or hole
Pull the hole together, and then begin sewing using a simple stitching technique like the invisible or ladder stitch. There are other stitches you can use, too, but we won’t go into too much detail as there are lots of great tutorials on YouTube which cover the basics of hand sewing. Just don’t forget to tighten the thread as you close the hole so that the clothing keeps its natural shape. Then, when you’re done, tie a knot and cut the thread.
Step 2: Add Seam Grip to tape the seam
Now that the tear is closed up, you’ll want to make sure that your jacket retains all of its functionality. Our outerwear is treated with a Durable Water Repellent, or DWR, coating to help make sure you stay dry at all times. When a hole is torn in the fabric, the protection that the jacket or pants offers is compromised. Sewing up the hole won’t renew the waterproofing either, as the needle has now made lots of small holes along with the original tear. Water will ingress over time, which is why we need to now apply a new waterproofing treatment to the affected area.
Seam Grip is one of the easiest and most effective way of doing this. Seam Grip is often used for tent and outerwear repairs, and can restore waterproofing to damaged items. Simply apply Seam Grip to the fix with the included brush, and allow it to cure overnight. By the time you wake up, the hole should be perfectly sealed! Seam Grip is elasticated and will withstand the movement of skiing or snowboarding, making it the perfect solution in situations like these.
Now, this may not be the prettiest way of fixing your gear, but it’s definitely the most effective way, and when done right, it will be long lasting, too! Once you’ve bought a tube of Seam Grip, you’ll have it at your disposal whenever you need to make a quick fix or more serious repair to your outerwear. And remember, you’ll also get better with time! Your first repair may not be perfect, but with every one you’ll improve until you’re a pro at fixing things. Then your friends will be queuing up for you to repair their jackets, too!
Further tips and tricks
If you aren’t feeling confident enough to fix your own snow gear, then don’t hesitate to ask family or friends for help. In most social and familial groups, there always is someone who is handy with a needle and thread and who is happy to help. Just buy them a beer after your next day on the slopes. That usually does the trick!
Or if you don’t know someone, or don’t have access to them, a simple Google search will find you a nearby tailor or seamstress that will be able to fix your jacket or pants making them as good as new!
We want to work with our customers to produce high quality jackets and pants that will last a lifetime. Unfortunately, that sometimes means doing small repairs to your gear. But if you love your jacket or pants, you shouldn’t have to say goodbye because of a little snag. And now, with this handy guide, you don’t have to!
We really hope that what you read here was helpful, and if you need any more help, just reach out to our amazing customer experience team, who are always on hand to help.