How to Repair a Mountain Hardware Gaiter

Gaiters are helpful pieces of equipment that help to keep water and debris from falling down into your boots.

If you have put some miles and wear and tear on your Mountain Hardwear Gaiters, then you may be at a point where you are either going to trying to fix some damages yourself or simply purchase a new pair. There are some tips for things that you can do to help prolong the life of your gaiters by doing your own repair job.

Things You'll Need

• Gore-Tex patch repair kit
• Nikwax
• Leather thongs
• Knife
• Computer with Internet access
• Velcro
• Scissors
• Thread
• Needle

Instructions

1. Repair the boot understrap. This is one of the parts on gaiters that get the most wear and tear. As you are walking, sharp rocks can cut the strap that runs underneath your boot while wearing the gaiter. Find a cheap piece of scrap leather thong material and braid using three different strands, which will provide extra strength and protection for the strap. Tie both ends of the strand to the gaiter at the appropriate length. Keep some spare leather thong material around in case you need to replace it.

2. Patch any tears or rips. Even if your gaiters and not lined with Gore-Tex fabric, you can still use the Gore-Tex repair patches to fix some smaller tears or rips. Each Gore-Tex repair kit comes with two to four patches of different shapes and sizes. You will want to make sure that the patches have at least one-half inch coverage beyond the tear. Opt to not use an iron for extra adhesion when applying the patch as that can potentially melt a hole in your Mountain Hardwear Gaiter.

3. Use a pair of scissors to cut away any worn out Velcro. Be careful not to puncture the waterproof fabric itself. Sew new Velcro where the old strips used to be and you should be able to connect your gaiters as if they were brand new.

4. Reseal the waterproof fabric with Nikwax, Sno-Seal, or another waterproofing or seam sealing agent. Clean the surface of the gaiter and apply the waterproofing or sealer according to the directions found on the product. You may need to apply multiple coatings in order to attain the best results.

5. Send them back to Mountain Hardwear. If your gaiters are relatively new then you may get the manufacturer to repair or replace them for free. They may also have professional repair specialists that can make your gaiters like new if the scope of the job is beyond your expertise.

References

• Mountain Hardwear Warranty and Repair
• Gore-Tex Repair Information
• Nikwax: Wash in Cleaner for Waterproof Clothing and Gear

Resources

• Mountaineers Books: Don't Forget the Duct Tape
• Specialty Outdoors: Sewing and Repair