How to Repair a Torn Pack Strap

A torn pack strap can mean inconvenience to a commuter or disaster to a hiker in the wilderness. Being able to fix a torn or broken strap quickly and with minimal materials is a very useful skill for anyone who regularly carries a pack.

Things You'll Need

• Strip of nylon webbing long enough to cover the tear
• Matches or lighter
• Scissors or knife
• Dental floss or artificial sinew
• Large sewing needle

Instructions

1. Cut the webbing to fit your pack strap width and sear off the edges with a lighter or match to keep them from fraying. Place the webbing over the tear in your strap.

2. Thread your needle with dental floss or artificial sinew and knot off one end. Starting from one corner of the webbing, stitch the pack strap to the webbing across its width. Use diagonal, zig-zag stitches and tie off the floss after you reach the edge of the strap. Repeat this on the opposite side of the webbing. Instead of knotting the floss to begin, you can also tie off the end after you've made the first stitch.

3. Make another line of small stitches across the width of the strap, just above the points of the zig-zag stitches. Make another line just below the points and repeat this at the other end.

4. Stitch lengthwise down both sides of the webbing and strap. If the tear runs all the way through, be careful to place several stitches that run through both the torn ends of the strap and the webbing.

5. Tie off the floss and snip any loose ends short.

Tips & Warnings

• Both dental floss and artificial sinew are very strong and inexpensive. If necessary, you can also use other threads, such as the inner core of parachute cord, or a thick sewing thread. If you use the latter, consider doubling the rows of stitches in Step 3.