mens parka jacket without fur hood:What Can I do if I get a Small Hole in my Jacket?

Down sweaters and jackets are incredibly popular insulation pieces and for good reason; they’re warm and so comfortably light you almost forget you’re wearing one. Unfortunately there is a downside (so to speak) to their being so light. Most down sweaters and jackets use lightweight fabrics to keep the garment light and packable. They’re designed to be worn around camp or around town but aren’t the best choice for activities like downhill skiing or hiking where there’s a good chance of catching the jacket on something sharp. If you’re the type who likes to do just that, I highly recommend wearing a shell over your jacket, especially if you’re hiking through brush or skiing the trees.

Skeena ken

Above: Sharp dog claws are another popular way to tear your down sweater, Skeena & Old School, East Humboldts, NV. Photo: localcrew

Even if you’re not picking your way through snowbush, down garments seem to have an affinity for sharp, pointy things so there’s always a chance that you might end up with a small tear in the shell fabric. So what to do? While many dirtbags proudly patch their clothes with duct tape, it’s not really the best option, especially if you want to fix it later (the residual glue causes havoc with sewing machines.). Instead, head to your local mountain shop and pick up some nylon repair tape. Just about any shop should have a selection in lots of pretty colors. Pick the closest color and then cut a piece at least ½” bigger around than the hole, round off the corners, peel off the backing and stick it on. That’s it. This tape is pretty amazing stuff and it will last for years through many washings. Repair tape is a super easy fix for small holes in the shell fabric but with larger rips it’s probably best to send it back to us for service.