Unless you live in a tropical climate, chances are you own a puffy jacket. This outerwear is practical, light and affordable. The only downside is the fabric it’s made of: despite its overall durability, water resistance and wind-proof qualities, nylon is quite thin and can be easily torn by sharp objects such as keys, pointy rocks or even your cat’s nails. Just one little hole can ruin the whole garment, as it can make the down or synthetic filling seep through it.
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But don’t replace your jacket just yet. Luckily, there are simple tricks that will help you patch up the holes and extend your puffer’s life.
Tenacious tape for a quick fix
If you don’t want to spend too much time or money on repair, opt for tenacious tape. It comes in different colours and can be applied right away. In fact, it can be good to always have it in your handbag.
Tenacious take can be easily purchased on Amazon.
Make sure the filling is pushed back into the hole of your coat. Clean the area you plan to repair with an alcohol swab to get rid of any dirt, dust, mud or grit. Cut off a small piece of tenacious tape and carefully apply it over the area of damage. Smooth the tape as much as possible to ensure effective adhesion.
While this type of repair may not look fashionable, it is a quick fix until a more permanent repair can be made.
Ready-made adhesive patches for convenience
You can fix the tears in your puffy jacket with premade adhesive patches, such as McNett Gear Aid, Kleiber, Down Jacket Repair, Prym and Dritz.
Staff any loose down back into the jacket and apply an appropriately sized adhesive piece over a hole. Manufacturers recommend flattening out the torn area as much as possible before application.
In general, most patches are self-adhesive and do not require heat sealing with an iron, or any glue or adhesive to be applied.
Weatherproof repair tape for lasting results
Weatherproof repair tape comes in a variety of colours and fabrics. The most common materials used include regular nylon, ripstop nylon, and PVC.
As with adhesive patches and duct or gaffer tape, the filling should be poked back through the tear. The jacket should then be smoothed out around the rip.
Cut a piece of repair tape to size. Many manufacturers recommend rounding the corners to keep a strong seal when applying.
Rounding the edges also helps the repair tape adhere, and prevents it from lifting up or fraying. The tape should be smoothed out carefully from the middle to the edges to eliminate any creases or folds.
Highly recommended repair tape brands include Gorilla Clear Repair Tape, Stormsure Tuff Tape and McNett Gear Aid Tenacious Tape.
Professional repairs for complex cases
If your puffer is particularly precious to you and you’d rather trust professionals fixing it up, check if the original manufacturer offers official repair services.
If they don’t there, are independent mending companies too. Scottish Mountain Gear, Lancashire Sports Repairs or Mountaineering Designs are good examples. These professionals have a wealth of experience in repairing products to an extremely high standard. As well as fixing holes, rips and tears, they can even replace or top up lost down. This will ensure your jacket continues to keep you as warm as it should.
How to make your puffy jacket last longer?
Puffy jackets, especially those that are down-filled, should not be crushed up when stored. Instead, keep them on a hanger or flat in a drawer. Never compress or fold them up.
Follow manufacturer cleaning instructions to make your jacket live longer. Washing should only be done when necessary. For small stains or areas of grime, use spot-cleaning.
Hand washing should be the go-to choice as washing machines and detergents can wear out the jacket.
Most puffy jackets can be dried and fluffed on the low or cool setting with some wool dryer or tennis balls.
Sources used:
- Nomad Hiker: 'Extending the Life of a Puffy: Patch it Up for Another Year'
- Outdoor Magic: 'How To Patch And Repair A Hole In A Down Jacket'
