Backpacks, like everything else, aren’t invincible. They can be torn, ripped or even shredded with the proper force and equipment. When this happens, repairing it is easy (unless it was shredded, in which case you might want to think about buying a new leather backpack). Backpacks tend to get damaged in the same places: the zipper, the straps, or the corners of the backpack due to pressure from internal contents, such as books. Repairing damage like this is pretty easy. All it takes it suitable thread and a sturdy needle, since backpack fabric is thicker and tougher than other kinds of fabric. Backpacks can even be made from the ground up using old fabric such as old jeans, for example. But that is the subject of another post.

To sew up a tear or rip in a backpack it’s considered best to go with heavy duty nylon or polyester thread as this will support the thick fabric better. Another type of thread to use is thick string or even very thin rope if the damage is serious. Make sure your needle is built to handle both the thread and the fabric. A light needle with likely break under the strain (in which case you have another problem on your hands) and a too strong needle will not work due to the fact that the needle will not sew properly because of the thickness of the needle. Think about it, you do not need to use the equivalent of a miniature sword to repair a hole the size of a quarter.

The basic protocol to follow is not that different from regular sewing, except you probably should not use a machine to do it. Instead, do it by hand. You will get a better sense of repairing it that way and also learn some minor repair skills so you can repair other backpacks in the future. If you are fond of backpacking, this is a very valuable skill, especially if your backpack breaks when you are out on a trail and there is no chance of easily returning to your base camp. In mountainous terrain, your backpack is your best friend, and it’s ridiculous to presume that it will not break so it’s safe to leave your repair tools at home.

Safety cannot be ignored when you are a hiker or backpacker. Following proper safety constraints may alleviate you from the pain of ever having to repair a backpack in the first place. If not, simply sew the rip, tear, or hole using a piece of material similar to the material the backpack was made from. It’s the easiest and simplest way to repair a backpack.