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When Damage is Too Severe to Repair
We are committed to repairing most items and are happy to assess and evaluate your gear to restore its functionality. However, in some cases, damage may be so severe that repairs or component replacements are cost-prohibitive, and the best option is to replace the gear. We refer to these items as “unrepairable.” We aim to help you get the most out of your gear. If you’re unsure whether your item is repairable, feel free to contact us for a detailed evaluation.
Below are examples of damage that may render gear unrepairable:
Damaged or missing zipper teeth
While worn or malfunctioning zippers can often be repaired by replacing the slider, damage to the zipper teeth or coil is typically considered unrepairable.
UV Damage
We build our tents tough, but the sun is rough on any fabric. Extended exposure to direct sunlight will make the fabric brittle and prone to tears. UV-damaged fabric is so brittle that any stitches we put in will tear out the very first time the tent is pitched taut.
Burn Damage/Melting
While some small burn holes can be patched, larger burns and melted fabric compromise and distorts the fabric, making repairs ineffective.
Large Tears
Multiple large tears or single large tears across multiple fabric panels are generally unrepairable. The cost of re-sealing and waterproofing repairs increases with larger repairs and can contribute to a repair being deemed cost prohibitive.
Numerous Small Holes
While we can fix a small area that is filled with numerous punctures, if there are a large number of punctures spread throughout the tent, oftentimes the cost of repair will exceed the cost of a new part or tent. Sometimes we refer to this phenomenon as "Starry night" damage, when held up to the light, there’s as many punctures as there are stars in the night sky. The cost of patching each hole, along with resealing and waterproofing, can make repair unfeasible.
Abrasions
Tents that go for a tumble are oftentimes considered unrepairable. Most often this will result in a long stretch of abrasions along the poles where the tent was scraped. While the gear can functionally be repaired with enough repair tape at home, the cost of repair by our team can quickly begin to exceed the cost of a replacement. Abrasions are closely inspected and can be patched by our team if the total area of abrasions is small enough.
Duct Tape Repairs
We strongly discourage the use of duct tape for at-home repairs. Duct tape does not adhere well to the materials used in our tents and leaves behind a sticky residue that often makes later stitch repairs impossible. For on-trail repairs, we recommend using Tenacious Tape, K-Tape, NoSo patches, or other gear-specific adhesives. Please remove any tape before sending your gear for professional repair.
Poles
Most polesets can be repaired by replacing damaged segments or worn-out shock cord. Individual segments that have chipped or puckered ends, cracks, or severe bends can be replaced individually. If the majority of the segments are damaged, the best course may be to purchase a new poleset. If the entire aluminum poleset shows signs of corrosion, it will need to be replaced. Please note that some polesets come with pre-bent segments. Additionally, some polesets form slight memory bends with use that don’t need to be replaced; similar to breaking in a pair of hiking boots.
Luggage
Luggage is a case-by-case scenario, and we will do everything we can to keep it going. Please make a case with us online so we can get pictures and a better idea on what the best course of action can be.
Used Gear Evaluations
If your gear is deemed unrepairable, don't discard it! Send it to us for recycling. We’ll salvage any usable components to assist future customers in need of replacement parts. Additionally, we’ll provide you with credit toward new gear. To get started, open a repair case.