Let’s face it: outdoor gear always seems to fail at the worst possible time, usually when you’re far from home, miles from the car, and just getting to the good part of your adventure. But don’t worry – you don’t need a massive repair kit or survival training to make it through. Sometimes, a little duct tape, zip ties, and a sense of humour is all it takes.
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Here are 10 laughably simple outdoor gear repair hacks to gear failure that might look ridiculous, but they’ll save your trip (and your sanity) when your gear gives up in the wild.
1. The Hiking Boot Blowout Patch
Most of us have had this happen, right? You’re hiking along, and suddenly, your running shoe or boot had enough. Your options:
- break down and cry
- carry your beloved shoe
- or risk creepy crawlers entering the hole and tickling your toes.
The outdoor gear repair fix: when your sole’s flappin’ and you’re 10km from the car, duct tape becomes your cobbler. A quick roll around, and you’re back in business. It may not be waterproof (unless you’re using Flex-Seal Tape ;)) or pretty, but it will get you back to your car.
2. Tent Pole Snapped? Zip Tie + Branch = Frankenstein Fix
A classic! Ugly? Yes. Functional? Absolutely.
Sleeping with half your tent on top of you can be dangerous, especially when it’s raining. Packing up and going home is not an option, especially if it’s you’re one and only vacation or an expensive camping trip.
A simple DIY camping gear fix for tent pole repair: grab a couple of zip ties from your wilderness repair kit (fingers crossed you have one) and a branch. Place the long branch against the broken tent pole and tie it together with a few zip ties. Congratulations, you just made yourself a tent pole splint! 🙂
This quick emergency camping repair hack will have you back in your tent instead of on top of it.
3. Duct Tape Blister Bandage
Surprisingly effective in a pinch is duct tape. Just don’t rip it off like a Band-Aid unless you love pain.
The fix to this outdoor survival hack: before you cover your blister, clean the area. Place a tissue over the blister, then cover it with duct tape. With your multi-tool, round the ends of the duct tape to prevent the tape from coming off and tearing your skin or causing more blisters. One blister is enough, thank you!
4. Broken Pack Strap? Zip Ties Save the Day
Zip ties are the perfect quick DIY backpacking gear repair solution for snapped backpack straps. Depending on where the strap has snapped, it may be a simple fix like tying the two ends together, or you might have to rebuild yourself a strap. Either way zip ties are a quick backpacking gear hack for equipment malfunction.
Your shoulder might cry, but you’ll make it out of the woods with this emergency backpack fix.
While duct tape and zip ties are quick fixes for field repairs, a multi-tool like the Leatherman Charge+ can take outdoor repairs to the next level. If you’re unsure which multi-tool to get, we’ve got a detailed review of the Leatherman Charge+ TTi -the ultimate in repair tools for outdoor adventurers.
5. Temporary Gear Patch – Rain Jacket, Tent, or Sleeping Bag Repair Hack
Camping under the stars is remarkable, but it can quickly become uncomfortable with that unnoticed hole in your tent! It’s an open-door invitation to mosquitos – and we all know how much fun a sleepover is with those bloodsuckers. A quick field repair for camping gear is to slap on some duct tape, and you’re back to enjoying a restful night in your tent.
You can also use duct tape as adhesive patches to keep a tear in your sleeping bag from getting bigger, seal that hole in your raincoat, or punctured sleeping pad.
They’re not the prettiest gear repair patches, but it’ll help you stay dry(ish) and warm(ish).
When you’re in the middle of a camping trip and discover a tear in your sleeping bag or jacket, duct tape will absolutely do the job – but let’s be honest, it’s not the most stylish backcountry repair or long-lasting fix.
For something more durable and slick, check out our post on aZengear ripstop repair patches. These quick and easy-to-apply patches come in various sizes to cover any hole or tear, offering a more permanent solution for your gear and tent repair. And, a pretty one too!
Now for the content creators in the wild…
6. Tripod or Camera Mount Hack
Do you remember pulling off that awesome stunt or trying to capture amazing footage only to realize you forgot the tripod? Worry no more! Zip-tie that GoPro to a tree branch, and BOOM – outdoor filmmaker status.
7. The Ol’ Antenna Fix (for radios or GPS units)
If it’s bent, broken, or wonky, you can bet someone’s found the ultimate outdoor gear repair by taping the antenna into working again. Just don’t forget to wrap the broken antenna in aluminum foil before wrapping it with duct tape.
8. Cooler Lid Hinges? Who Needs ‘Em?
The camping gear repair fix: Just zip-tie that sucker shut and call it innovation. Remember to carry extras in case hunger sets in.
9. Fishing Rod Tip Snap
One stick + duct tape = MacGyver-level angler skills.
I’m not one of those anglers who carry 10 rods with me on every fishing trip, but admittedly, zip ties saved my trip. The rod’s tip snapped off while hooking a massive largemouth bass, which somehow entangled itself. I didn’t have any duct tape on hand, but I did have a few zip ties.
The emergency gear repair tips fix: place the snapped tip up against the rod, making sure they overlap and then zip-tie them together. Ideally, you want to use at least three. Remember to face the locking mechanism upward so it doesn’t interfere with your fishing line. Don’t forget to cut off the excess. Congratulations, you just saved your fishing trip.
You can do the same using duct tape. Some people like to add a small stick for support.
10. Emergency Tarp Shelter
Rainstorm outta nowhere? Duct tape + anything vaguely tarp-shaped = basecamp deluxe.
To build a brush shelter, gather some long logs and use duct tape as a paracord to hold them together. Then use brush (branches) in a crisscross pattern on top of your logs to form a roof.
These DIY outdoor gear repair tips won’t win beauty awards, but they’ll keep you moving on the trail. Outdoor gear maintenance is important – if you’re finding you spend more time repairing and less time enjoying, then it’s time for spring cleaning your gear!
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👉 Do you have your own ridiculous outdoor equipment repair hack? Or maybe, some zip tie and duct tape survival tricks that you want to share? Share it in the comments or tag us on Instagram!
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