These Gear Repair Shops Can Make Your Old Gear Good as New (No Matter Where in the U.S. You Live)

Have a broken zipper? A hole in your ski shell? A tear in your backpack strap? If you’re not feeling confident in your abilities to repair your gear yourself, we have good news: there are gear repair shops across the country that are willing, able, and skilled enough to do it for you, no matter where you live! That way, you can keep your gear in play and out of a landfill longer AND keep letting it tell the stories of all the cool places you’ve been and the things you’ve done.

These gear repair shops offer mail-in services specifically (and sometimes in-person drop-off) to serve outdoorists from across the U.S. There may also be repair shops near you (just search Google for “outdoor gear repair near me”), but just about anyone in the U.S. can have their gear and apparel repaired at these companies that celebrate sustainability by keeping good gear in play.

Tips for Having Gear Repaired

Before you pack up your jackets and tents and pop them in the mail, there are a few things to know.

• Call or email before sending gear: Many shops require this, but it helps ensure you don’t waste time, money and energy on shipping if the shop can’t perform the repair you need. This is especially important if you have a complex repair on your hands.
• Wash your gear: Seriously. Most shops won’t work on dirty gear and it will get sent right back to you as-is. Wash your dang sleeping bag before you stuff it in the box.
• Be clear with your repair technician: When you send in gear, work with the shop fixing it to ensure you get the result you want but also manage expectations. Let them know if you prefer a contrasting color in the repair or want it to match exactly. Then listen to what they’re able to do so both parties are clear on the process.
• Check with the brand: Many quality, reputable brands offer warranties and repairs these days. So before you toss an item or reach out to a repair shop, check with the brand to see if they’ll cover the cost or at least help facilitate the repair. Some brands perform fixes in-house while others contract with repair shops like those listed below. Look into it and you might just get a great deal on a repair.

Things Repair Shops Can Fix

Have broken or shredded gear you think is a lost cause? You might be surprised by what gear repair shops can fix to make your gear as good as new (or better). Here are a few gear repair services you can expect to see at most shops:

• Zipper fixes: Broken teeth, missing pulls, ripped out zipper, etc.
• Fabric holes: Big holes, little holes, any holes. Many shops can apply a heat patch or sew whole new fabric sections into apparel or sleeping bags.
• Torn webbing: If a compression strap ripped off or webbing has been damaged, they can replace it.
• Hardware replacement: Think new buckles, snaps, grommets or shock cords.
• Down replacement: While not all shops offer this, some may be able to replace small amounts lost from holes in bags or jackets.
• Broken tent poles: Replace a bent section or a whole shock cord.
• Alterations: Not all shops offer this, but if technical apparel needs a shortened hem or a waistband needs taken in, it’s worth asking.
• Boot repair: Worn soles, missing eyelets, even patching torn materials.

Gear Repair Shops in the US

Tent Pole Technologies

As the name implies, Tent Pole Technologies specialized in tent pole repair and parts. And anyone who’s ever cracked or bent a pole segment or experienced that inner elastic shock cord getting completely stretched out knows how necessary speedy repairs are. This team can repair or replace aluminum, fiberglass and carbon fiber poles, parts and pieces. Just fill out their quote form online, send in your poles (or bring them to the shop in Vancouver, WA if you’re nearby), and they’ll take care of the rest.

They also build custom tent poles. So whether you lost yours, sewed your own UL tent and need some poles, or have an old model with shredded shock cords, the team can likely get you set up with exactly what you need. They even sell parts and pieces if you prefer to DIY.

Rainy Pass Repair

Rainy Pass Repair, located in Washington and North Carolina, is one of the few repair shops that will launder your dirty technical gear. Washing gear yourself is easy, of course, but the service can come in handy if you’re on the road or don’t have access to a washing machine and need a gear repair too. But that’s not all the shop does: they offer alterations (imagine a pair of snow pants that aren’t 6 inches too long), sewing and patching, zipper repairs, hardware replacement, even custom modifications!

To get your pack, tent, jacket, sleeping bag or more fixed, fill out their quote or repair form online and they’ll take care of you and your gear.

Rugged Thread

Rugged Thread in Bend, OR partners with some big names in outdoor gear for repairs, so you know you can trust their work. And if you can dream it, they can probably do it (as far as gear fixes go, anyway). From outerwear and backpacks to sleeping bags and tents, they can fix zippers, sew fresh fabric patches, replace webbing, you name it.

Just fill out their online quote form and they’ll contact you to get the process started so you can get back out there with the gear you love.

Boulder Mountain Repair

While BMR used to have a physical location in–you guessed it–Boulder, Colorado, this repair operation is now entirely virtual. That means you can send in your gear from anywhere. The company is still located in Colorado, but now spread across two locations with multiple repair teams. And they can do it all: patches, zipper repair, seam taping, re-sewing straps, grommet replacement, etc. If it’s a clothing or soft goods fix, they can handle it.

Send in photos of the item that needs repaired via email to make sure they can perform the fix, fill out their repair form, then send it in with your gear. They’ll give you an estimated timeline and you’ll get gear back that’s good as new.

Mountain Soles & Outdoor Threads

Have boots, snowshoes, XC ski boots or soft goods that need repaired? This team has you covered. They provide repairs and replacement parts for several brands of snowshoes, can fix broken zippers on nordic ski boots, repair drysuits, and offer zipper fixes and patches on insulated jackets, outerwear and tents. They even offer a handful of alterations.

Fill out their repair form online to get the party started or if you live near Portland, OR, they pick up and drop off repairs at a few local stores regularly throughout the week.

Mayhem Mending

Located in Ely, MN, Mayhem accepts repairs in-person or through the mail. And they’ll work on pretty much any soft good, including mending clothing and sleeping bags, fixing zippers, patching tent holes, pocket replacement and more.

Fill out their repair query form online and they’ll let you know if they can do it and how much it’ll cost.

Patagonia Worn Wear Repairs

Patagonia performs repairs, but mostly on their own gear. So if you have a Patagonia puffy or pants that need a quick fix, they can do it (and are obviously experts in their own products). Even better, if you happen to be near a Patagonia store that offers pop-up repair events, you may be able to get your gear repaired day-of for free if the damage isn’t too serious!

Vibram

Did you know that if you own shoes with Vibram Soles you can almost definitely get them re-soled of you’ve worn out the tread? It’s true. Vibram soles are often re-soleable and the brand has a directory on their website that will help you find a cobbler (shoe repair expert) near you who’s trained and certified in Vibram products. So if you’ve blown out your sole but the rest of your shoes are in good condition, repair them!

Visit a Local Seamstress, Tailor or Cobbler

Most towns that are at least middling in size are home to either a seamstress or alteration shop, a tailor, and/or a cobbler (someone who fixes shoes). If there’s one near you, pop in or give them a call, tell them about what needs fixed, and ask if they can handle it. These folks are well-trained and super skilled at what they do. Bonus: you might get a quicker turnaround on your fix since shipping gear back and forth isn’t required. And you’ll be supporting a small business in your local economy. Win-win.

Our Favorite DIY Repair Products

Prefer to do it yourself? If you feel confident in your skills or the repair required is a simple one, it can certainly save you some cash (and waiting time). Here are some of the best brands and gear repair products you can buy yourself for at-home fixes. We’ve used all of these and they’re our favorites.

• Nikwax: This is our favorite brand of gear and apparel washing and waterproofing products. They’re easy to use, available at most outdoor retailers, PFAS-free, in recycled and recyclable bottles, and clean up your gear good as new. We love the Boot Cleaner and Waterproof and Tech Wash and Waterproof most. Find all Nikwax products here.
• Gear Aid Patches: This brand makes some of the most accessible and easy-to-use patches and we have multiple jackets and sleeping bags that sport these simple stick-on fixes. We love the brand because you can get a roll of their Tenacious Tape gear repair tape and cut patches to size or get a pack of fun shapes to jazz up repairs. Find Gear Aid patches here.
• NoSo Patches: To add more personality to your repair, NoSo patches are a great option. They mostly come in just one size, but in scores of colors, patterns and fabrics, which means you can find the perfect one for that singe hole in your puffy, but also for your grid fleece.
• Needle and Thread: If you don’t know how to hand sew yet, it’s worth learning at least the basics. Keep a needle and plenty of thread in your repair kit and make small fixes like holes in delicate ultralight fleece or darn holes in socks or knit items.

Bottom Line

If you can’t repair your beloved clothing and gear yourself, it’s often worth it to send to a professional (especially if the item has sentimental value, is vintage, or is a high quality piece of gear like an ultralight backpack or ski shell). After all, patching holes, repairing seams and replacing zippers is often easier than you think, costs way less than buying new, and is always the more sustainable choice. After all, it keeps otherwise usable gear out of landfills and doesn’t require that more virgin materials be produced.

So let the professionals do what they do best and let your beloved gear live to see another day (or decade).