ASK THE PROS: ALL THE OPTIONS

If the thought of wrestling with taped seams, malodorous glue, fiddly zips and drawstrings fills you with dread, hand your gear to the experts for a professional refurb.

GO DIRECT

More often than not, the company that made your favourite fleece or cherished backpack can also repair it professionally. And if a breakage wasn’t the result of accidental damage or general wear and tear, it may be covered by their guarantee. Fixing a defect won’t cost you a penny. Most brands insist that gear is sent to them in a clean, sanitary condition and will inspect the damage before quoting a repair cost. Some assess damage using photos submitted online.

Rab, Montane, Sprayway and Buffalo are among those who offer in-house washing, re-proofing and mending services for their own products. Repairs typically cost from around £10 for simple stitching to around £30 for a full waterproof zip replacement. Páramo and Keela also offer alterations, while Berghaus repair their gear for free (you just pay for recorded delivery to their Sunderland ‘Repairhaus’). It’s a similar deal with Patagonia, who host ‘Worn Wear’ workshops in their stores. Check out the trove of DIY repair guides on their website too (Vaude’s step-by-step tutorials are worth a look as well).

Going direct to the manufacturer won’t always be the cheapest or most convenient option. The turnaround time for assessment and repair can be several weeks. You normally have to pay for and arrange postage too. But there are big advantages. Depending on the age of your gear, the manufacturer may still have original parts and materials. You can also rest easy knowing the person mending your precious jacket or beloved boots has probably restored the same model many times before. High quality workmanship is a given.

One brand that knows its onions is the Yorkshire bootmaker Altberg. Its services range from a basic resoling and waxing at £65 to a full refurb costing £85, with a replacement rand adding £15 to the bill. Footwear maestros Scarpa will replace entire sole units for £90, rebuilding boots around their original lasts. All the big names in backpacks – including Osprey, Deuter, Lowe Alpine and Vango – also offer in-house repairs.