Kittens, campfire sparks and thorny bushes all have it in for your jacket, and just one little hole can let lots of precious down fly free. Luckily, patching small holes in your down jacket is pretty simple.
Video: How to Patch a Down Jacket
Here's what you need for this DIY project:
- Gear repair tape, such as Tenacious Tape™
- Scissors
- Rubbing alcohol
- A rag
Steps to patch your down jacket:
- Pull feathers back in: If there are any feathers sticking out of the hole, pinch them from the other side and pull them back inside the jacket.
- Cut the patch: Use your scissors to cut a patch that will cover the hole with about one inch of overlap in every direction. If you round the edges of the patch, this will prevent the tape corners from peeling and it will last longer.
- Prep the area: Clean the area around the hole with your rag and rubbing alcohol.
- Apply the patch: Make sure to smooth out the jacket to avoid wrinkles, then press the patch into place with your fingers. The patch will take about 48 hours to fully cure, so be gentle with it for the first couple days.
Professional repairs: If you're not up for DIY repairs, or you have a really large rip, consider sending your jacket to Rainy Pass Repair, the nation's largest outdoor gear repair service and repair partner for REI.
Editors' note: This article has been updated since it first published in October 2017.
