Tag Archive for 'backpack repair'

Ask George: Field repairing backpack holes, seam splits and thoughts on popular culture

In our final installment (at least for now, we’ll probably think of something else) in our Q&A on backpack field repairs with George, Gregory’s customer service and warranty jack-of-all-trades, we take on holes, seams and … popular culture.

George, what can you do about a hole or a split seam out in the backcountry?

Again, as in the situation with repairing a zipper, dental floss or strand from some parachute cord can get you out of pinch by using them to sew up a hole, a tear or hole a seam closed until you get out of the backcountry. Another thing to consider is carrying a patch kit that you could use to repair a hole. Many people carry a patch kit for their inflatable mattress, and that can serve double duty and be used to repair smaller holes in your pack as well. Seam Grip and duct tape are other things I’ve seen used to make field repairs. Seam Grip can actually work for longer-term repairs on smaller holes. Continue reading >>

Published
by
Dave
 on March 18, 2009
 in Ask George, Backpack tech and How to...
. 0 Comments

Ask George: how to field-repair a backpack zipper

Gregory’s chief customer service and warranty man-with-a-plan George not only knows a ton about backpack field repairs and backpack maintenance, he also has an impressive collection of eyewear.

Continuing our series on the most common backpack field repairs and how to be prepared to deal with them, we asked George about addressing a blown-out zipper:

So George, zippers …

Yeah, along with buckles, they’re another moving part that tends to wear more quickly than other parts of a backpack. They’re number two on the list of things we get repair inquiries about.

What goes wrong with a zipper and what can you do about it out in the field?

There’s a couple things that can go wrong, and either way, having some lightweight parachute cord and/or some dental floss in your pack is a good idea. They don’t weigh much and can help you address several scenarios. Again, the vast majority of people never have a problem, but it’s always good to be ready for one when you’re out three. You can use dental floss or a strand from some P-cord to sew a zipper shut, using either a needle, a knife or a multi-tool (which are other good things to either have in a first-aid kit and/or to carry in your pack) to create the holes to run the strand through. Continue reading >>

Published
by
Dave
 on March 12, 2009
 in Ask George, Backpack tech and How to...
. 2 Comments

Ask George: Dealing with backpack repairs in the field, broken buckles

What do you do when something goes wrong with your backpack in the field? Get creative, of course. While it’s unlikely you’ll ever have a problem, it’s good to think about how you’d handle it if you ever did. And there are a few things you can do to stack the deck in your favor.

Why are we talking about things going wrong? Aren’t Gregory packs the best? We humbly say absolutely, but if you build enough of something, there will always be issues from wear and tear, accidents, and the plain-old unexpected. The unexpected is one of the reasons we get out there in the first place, right? Plus, it’s always good to be prepared to deal with things that might go wrong with one of your most critical pieces of gear when you’re in the middle of nowhere.

Enter George. As our warranty and customer service guru, when someone has a problem, he’s our man on the scene. So it’s fair to say he’s an authority on the most common things that happen to packs in the backcountry, and how to address them.

We’re going to do a little ongoing Q&A with the man behind the shades, to get his insight on how to address a problem with a pack in the field, so check in periodically for the wisdom of George. And if you’ve got a question you’d like to see him address, post it in the comments section, and, after he’s had his coffee, we’ll get him on the case.

George, what are the most common problems people have with backpacks out in the field?

Buckles, zippers and holes/tears/seams, in that order. Buckles are made of plastic. People do things like accidentally step on them, and, as a moving part on a more exposed part of the pack, they experience a lot of other wear and tear that can cause them to break over time. Continue reading >>

Published
by
Dave
 on March 5, 2009
 in Ask George, Backpack tech, Hiking resources and How to...
. 6 Comments