Fix a ripped down jacket

QI managed to tear a small hole in my down jacket recently when scrambling on Jack’s Rake. How best can I repair it? Phoebe Watts, Stockport

GT says The most important thing is getting a quick fix, as otherwise all your down will pour out of the jacket, which is messy to clean up but also means you are losing insulation. The best option is a strip of humble gaffer tape, the heavy cotton cloth pressuresensitive tape with strong adhesive and good tensile properties. This stuff works remarkably well and I have pairs of years-old overtrousers where a 10cm strip of gaffer tape has kept them working fine.

Wrap a section of gaffer tape around the water bottle in your pack so you always have some to hand.

For a more professional fix that may last longer, it is worth considering some specific products. Small holes can also be glued together with McNett Seam Grip (you could still also put some tape over the top for added security). Another tape solution is McNett Tenacious Tape, which is made from the same type of fabrics used on tents, meaning it is lightweight, flexible and, importantly, clear in colour, so your jacket won’t end up looking like a patchwork quilt. There are also various other brands of repair products available, including Storm’s Tear-Aid Fabric Repair patches.