It was day three of a backcountry loop in the Rockies when Janelle’s sleeping pad deflated beneath her at 2 a.m. The night before, her tent zipper burst open in the wind. To top it off, Kevin’s trekking pole tip snapped during a river crossing. With no gear store for miles, they had to improvise—and fast.
If you’ve camped long enough, you’ve probably faced a similar moment: a broken zipper, a leaky pad, or a bent pole. But with a little know-how and some common camp gear, you can make field repairs that keep your adventure rolling. Here’s how to fix common summer gear mishaps on the fly using what’s already in your pack.
Zip It Back Up: Fixing a Blown Zipper
The Problem: The zipper slider won’t close the teeth, or it separates at the middle.
Fix It Fast:
- Duct Tape Assist: If the teeth are still intact, try pinching the zipper slider gently with pliers or your multitool to realign the grip. Then glide it over the teeth a few times to reset the seal.
- Temporary Closure: Cut a 6-inch strip of duct tape and make a flap over the open zipper area. Tape both sides of the opening shut—inside and out—for a quick weather-resistant patch.
- Preventative Tip: Rub a wax-based lip balm or candle stub along the zipper teeth to prevent future jams.
What You’ll Need: Duct tape, multitool, lip balm or wax
Keep It Inflated: Patching a Leaky Sleeping Pad
The Problem: You wake up on the ground with your pad deflated.
Fix It Fast:
- Find the Leak: Inflate the pad and listen. If it’s not obvious, wet your hand and run it over the surface to feel for escaping air.
- Duct Tape Patch: Clean the area with water and dry it. Flatten the pad, then place a 2-inch strip of duct tape over the hole. For extra security, add a second layer perpendicular to the first.
- Creative Plug: For valve leaks, wrap duct tape tightly around the valve stem or use a small piece of tent stake to press the valve closed and tape it in place.
What You’ll Need: Duct tape, water, tent stake (for valve issues)
Pole Position: Fixing a Snapped Trekking or Tent Pole Tip
The Problem: The pole tip breaks or the lower section bends mid-hike.
Fix It Fast:
- Splint It: Use a tent stake as a splint. Straighten the pole section as much as possible, then place the stake alongside it. Wrap tightly with duct tape, overlapping for strength.
- Sleeve Substitute: If you have a repair sleeve (often included with poles), use it. If not, a sturdy stick or the barrel of a pen can serve as a temporary sleeve.
- Tip Replacement: If the metal tip is gone, insert the blunt end of a tent stake into the pole shaft and tape it in place. It won’t grip terrain perfectly, but it will offer stability.
What You’ll Need: Tent stake, duct tape, multitool, stick or pen (optional)
Keep Calm and Camp On
These quick fixes won’t replace a proper repair, but they can keep your trip from turning into a disaster. The key is to stay calm, get creative, and carry a small repair kit with multitaskers like duct tape and a few spare tent stakes. With a little ingenuity, you’ll keep rolling through any summer gear failure.
Further Reading & Resources
A comprehensive guide to field repairs for tents, backpacks, footwear, and more.
Tips from MSR on fixing poles, tears, and zippers using their field methods.
Detailed instructions on finding and patching holes in inflatable pads.
