How to Fix a Small Hole in a Down Jacket
Don’t let a tear in your beloved jacket bring you down. We’ll teach you how to patch things up so you can get back out into the cold. Introduction Stray branches, flyaway campfire embers and rugged terrain can have it in for your trusty dow…
Don’t let a tear in your beloved jacket bring you down. We’ll teach you how to patch things up so you can get back out into the cold.
Introduction
Stray branches, flyaway campfire embers and rugged terrain can have it in for your trusty down jacket. Knowing how to fix a hole in a down jacket is a good way to keep your gear in play and out of the landfill—and save some money to boot.
If your down outerwear ends up with a small hole or tear, don’t pull out any of the feathers that emerge. Instead, work the down back in and patch up the small hole for an on-the-fly down jacket repair.
It’s important to repair holes and tears as soon as possible to keep the down insulation from escaping, which can make your jacket less warm over time. Patching a down jacket with durable, strong fabric repair tape prevents feathers from leaking and ensures that the hole doesn’t grow. It’s a quick and easy fix, and the patch will stay on for years until you want to replace it. Let’s cover how to patch a down jacket so you can keep on keepin’ on.
When There’s No Hole, Just a Feather Poking Out
If there’s no hole or tear but you have part of a down feather sticking out, don’t yank it out. Doing that can cause more feathers to escape.
This is a simple repair that doesn’t require a patch. First, place your hand on the opposite side and try to pull the feather back into the garment. Then, create a little heat to close any remaining space in the fabric by rubbing your finger over the spot where the feather stuck out. You can also use a warm iron, just make sure it’s not too hot or it could melt the fabric. After that, you’re all done.
What You’ll Need to Fix a Hole: Down Jacket Repair Tools
The first step to fix a hole in a down jacket is gathering the right gear care tools. There’s no sewing required for this jacket repair. You can patch up the hole using fabric repair tape, and it’ll stay on for years even with regular washing. Here’s what you’ll need.
- Fabric repair tape: Adhesive fabric patches are designed to bond permanently to outdoor fabrics and materials. Strong, sticky and durable, Gear Aid Tenacious Tape makes the ideal repair tape for down jackets or jackets with synthetic insulation, and it’s washable just 24 hours after application for no-fuss maintenance. Repair tape works well on anything made from synthetic fabric, like waterproof shells or backpacks. Note: Gear tape will not stick to natural or stretchy fabrics.
You can also use a down jacket patch kit for convenience. Our Worn Wear Patch Kit comes with four sheets of Tenacious Tape® patches in various sizes and designs. They’re easy to peel off and place, especially when you’re traveling or deep in the backcountry.
- Isopropyl alcohol: This is used to clean and prep the damaged area of your jacket, allowing the patch to stick more effectively.
- Scissors: A pair of scissors can clip off dangling threads or visible feathers when you’re cleaning up the damage. You can also use the scissors to shape your piece of fabric repair tape and round out the corners.
- Hard plastic card or spudger (optional): These tools can help you smooth out the down jacket patch and work out any air bubbles underneath. You can use any type of hard plastic card or a spudger (a screwdriver-like, handheld tool with a flat head).
- Clothing iron (optional): Applying a little heat helps the Tenacious Tape repair tape fully adhere to your jacket. The iron should be warm, but not hot.
Step-by-Step Guide to Patching a Down Jacket
Here’s how to fix a hole in a down jacket by applying a down jacket patch—it’s easy and effective.
Step 1
Clean Up the Jacket
Before patching a down jacket, it’s important to properly clean up the garment—especially if you want a long-lasting jacket repair. If the garment is wet, make sure to dry it off. Next, inspect the damaged area. Clip off any dangling threads, fabric or visible feathers with the scissors. Don’t pull out any feathers, as this will encourage even more insulation to come out (see above). Save any feathers that escaped and, if the tear is large enough, work them back inside the garment.
Lastly, clean the damaged area of the fabric with isopropyl alcohol to remove any dirt, grit or oil. This will help the patch stick better. Let the alcohol evaporate and move on to the next step.
Step 2
Measure and Cut the Fabric Repair Tape
Now that your jacket’s all clean and dry, get yourself some fabric repair tape. We like to use Gear Aid Tenacious Tape that comes pre-cut as patches. If you don’t have a pre-cut patch, place the tape upside down, draw an oval shape slightly larger than the hole and cut it out—or just cut a simple rectangle if the hole is a bit wider.
Important: You want the patch to extend past the damaged area onto the fabric by at least a 1/4-inch on each side.
Before peeling off the back, lay the patch over the hole to make sure it’s large enough. If you’re using a Tenacious Tape® patch from one of our patch kits, pick one that meets the same size requirements.
If your patch of fabric repair tape is rectangular or has sharp edges, use your scissors to round off the corners. This helps prevent the corners from getting caught and peeling up.
Step 3
Peel Off the Backing and Place the Tape
Using your fingernail or a small pin, peel the backing off the fabric repair tape. Make sure not to touch the sticky side. This gums up the tape, preventing it from sticking well.
Place the tape directly over the jacket hole and press it down with your finger, starting at the center and working outward to avoid creating air bubbles. You can also use a hard plastic card or spudger to help smooth out your down jacket patch while applying downward pressure.
Step 4
Use a Warm Iron to Help the Patch Adhere (Optional)
If you want to ensure a strong, long-lasting seal on the Tenacious Tape® patch adhesive, apply a little warmth. Use your hand to generate heat on the patch, or give it a quick pass with a warm (not hot) clothing iron.
Step 5
Wait 24 Hours Before Washing
You can wear your jacket right away after applying the patch, but make sure to let the adhesive set up for at least 24 hours before washing. And that’s it! Go on and get back out there. Your jacket is ready to rock.
Need Extra Help?
If you need more help, Patagonia retail stores carry the necessary supplies to patch a Patagonia® down jacket. Our staff knows their stuff. They can make minor fixes on-site, guide you through how to repair a hole in a down jacket yourself or get you started with a mail-in repair. They also carry the latest men’s and women’s down outerwear if your jacket ever reaches a point where it needs to be replaced.
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