Backpacker Magazine – April 1999

Fixing Tents: Don't Despair...Repair

What can and can't be fixed on your tent.

by: Dan Nelson

Tags:
• Skills
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• Gear
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• Tents
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• Technique
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Can Fix

Broken tent poles. A repair shop can usually replace an old, broken pole or fix just the busted section.

Broken or worn-out shock cord in poles. A repair shop can easily replace a broken elastic cord or one that has lost its bounce.

Torn or pierced mesh or fabric walls. Repair shops can stitch in a patch over a hole burned into a tent wall or replace an entire mesh panel.

Broken zipper. One of the most common repairs for tents is zipper repair or replacement.

Broken hardware or components. Lost grommets, ripped guy anchors, and unraveled seams are all easily repaired.

Mild mildew on walls or floor. A little moisture can cause a lot of mildew. Repair shops can clean your tent and remove mild cases of mildew.

Delaminated seam tape or worn-off durable water repellent (DWR). Repair shops can retape seams and reapply DWR finish on most fabrics.

Can't Fix

Heavy mildew. If the walls of your blue tent are green, it's time to invest in a new tent. Extensive mildew can't be removed without damaging the tent itself.

Brittle or cracking tent or rainfly. Ultraviolet light breaks down the nylon structure of the tent over time, making it brittle and prone to cracking or tearing. There is no repair for this.

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